The coral reefs emerging around Cayo Coral are among the most beautiful in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Their particularly calm, clear waters, sheltered from the caprices of the open sea, have led to the development of fine, colorful coral, attracting varied underwater life. They are on the surface of the open waters, and can only be reached by boat.
Cayo Coral is a small island between Isla Bastimentos and Isla Popa, in the central part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago. 300 yards west of the island, the reef that breaks the water surface is the most popular snorkeling spot in the archipelago. You can visit the spot during excursions organised by a large number of local agencies. These excursions generally include stops in other snorkeling spots (including Cayo Zapatilla and Restaurante Alfonso), and sites for observing dolphins and sloths. The price of a full-day excursion is $25 to $35, not including meals. A large number of touts offer places for excursions in the street (sometimes at discount prices), but you should opt for agencies with an office. It takes about 20 minutes (10 miles) by boat from Bocas del Toro to reach Cayo Coral.
You enter the water from the boat. Follow the instructions of your tour guide, who will tell you where to go.
The area to explore is easy to see. Although it is in the middle of the water, it is shown by buoys, and it is not unusual for 4 or 5 boats to be anchored nearby.
The depth of the water is the same in all the reef area (↕10-12ft/3-4m). In the central part of the spot, small reefs, covered in turquoise, golden yellow or carmine red sponges provide a particularly colorful decor. Cone-shaped groups of coral cling to the walls, and are the favorite shelter of brittle stars, which have colonized the area. Small groups of sergeant major fish seem to mount the guard, without noticing the wrasses and grunt swimming around the reef.
If you move a little further away, the underwater landscape is transformed into a field of soft coral and sea fans swaying in the waves. Parrotfish and foureye butterflyfish slip into this coral “forest”, which has a host of suprises in store if you stick around a little. In the sandy parts, try to spot the yellowhead jawfish, which quickly withdraw into their burrows at the first sign of danger.
The water is generally exceptionally calm at this spot. The main danger comes from other snorkelers (this is a very busy spot at certain times of day) and the boats that come and go on the site. Stick to the central part of the spot and stay alert.
There are no restaurants on site, since the spot is in a marine park. A restaurant on stilts (about $15 per dish) is 0.5 mile away (most tour guides stop there). The area near the restaurant is also an interesting spot (see spot file here). Otherwise, you can take your own picnic. In any case, ask your tour guide what is included in the price. At the least take some water and a snack.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
