Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DIVING, SNORKELLING AND SURFING IN BOCAS
Diving and snorkelling are the most established diversions around Bocas Town, which
is no surprise as the area offers the healthiest
coral
on the Caribbean coast, covered in
sponges and anemones, fed on by an array of colourful reef fish and frequented by turtles
and nurse sharks, while moray eels, lobsters and crabs hide in the crevices.
The
snorkelling
highlights include the distant Cayos Zapatillas in the national marine
park, though currents are strong, and, off the southern tip of Bastimentos, the magical soft
coral gardens of Cayo Crawl. Closer to base, the shallows by Hospital Point off Isla Solarte
are favoured by both snorkellers and divers, who can explore the impressive wall and rocky
outcrop sheltering schools of fish. The main problem with snorkelling and diving in Bocas
is drastically reduced visibility caused by run-off from the mainland following heavy rains,
which are frequent, even in the dry season. Strong winds and rough seas limit accessibility
to more remote dive sites too.
Bocas also has a reputation for
surfing
, and while it can't match
Santa Catalina
for
consistency of waves, it offers some excellent rides when conditions are right, generally
between December and March. Numerous places rent out
boards
in various states of re-
pair, and several places offer lessons, transfers to surf spots and even guided surf
tours
.
Several surf breaks lie on the east coast of Isla Colón, with other hot spots off Isla Carenero
and along the northern coast of Isla Bastimentos; between the two islands, the giant waves
of Silverbacks are only for expert practitioners.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: ISLA COLÓN AND BOCAS TOWN
BY PLANE
Airport
All flights arrive at, and depart from, Bocas Airport, a small building and airstrip
three blocks west of the main street, C 3.
Airlines and flights
Air Panama ( 757 9841 in Bocas; 316 9000 for general reservations)
offers multiple daily flights from and to Panama City ($144 one way), which get booked
up over long weekends and holiday periods. Air Panama also offers morning connections
three times a week with David, via Changuinola (Tues, Thurs & Sun; $84 one way), while
the Costa Rican domestic airline Nature Air ( 757 9390,
natureair.com
)
has twice-daily
direct flights between Bocas and San José (Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun; 50min; $241 one way,
including carbon offsetting), as well as serving several other locations in Costa Rica. Both
airlines have offices at the airport in Bocas.
Luggage allowance
Air Panama flights allow 14kg of checked baggage plus hand luggage,
and charge supplements for surfboards. For Nature Air the luggage allowance depends upon
the fare class purchased.
