Question Caño or Coiba Island ?

[SerialFF]

Hello,

I have passed my padi open water in Cabo San Lucas (Baja California- Mexico) in December 2023.

I'm currently in Costa Rica in Drake bay and I will visit Panama then Colombia.

I'm gonna crossed a lot of nice dives spots but I don't have the money to multiply the dives and need to be selective.

I'm really interested by big animals (sharks, turtles, mantas)

What would you recommend to me ?
- Isla del caño - Costa rica (we have a lot of rain and Diving center told me baja del diablo is not guarantee).
OR
- Isla coiba - Panama
OR
- other spot in Colombia (Malpelo ?)

Knowing that i dont think return in those countries and i would like to don't miss a "must to see spot in world"

i cannot do galapagos and Coco Island.

Also i was thinking maybe i can pass the advanced in Panama/Colombia.

And doing one dive in pacific and one dive in caribean if i read the expérience is completely different (bocas del toro, Providencia, tayrona...) i don't know.

Thank you for helping a begginner in this new world

 

[Lorenzoid]

I'm watching this thread. Of your options, I have only dived Coiba, so I have nothing to compare it with.

 

[SerialFF]

With pleasure. I hope it would help people which are on the same situation. I know we are a lot of backpackers who travel in whole central america

 

[USdiver1]

Coiba gets my vote. If you are a neophyte, I do not recommend Malpelo, too much current, too remote.

 

[SerialFF]

Coiba gets my vote. If you are a neophyte, I do not recommend Malpelo, too much current, too remote.

Interesting thank you. Which one did you do on the list ?

 

[USdiver1]

Interesting thank you. Which one did you do on the list ?

I have done Coiba, San Andres and snorkeled Isla del Caño.
Coiba was by far my favorite. There are other islands near Coiba: Islas Contreras, Coibita, that are worth a look as well.

Many dives in Bocas del Toro, only area I recommend there is Cayos Zapatillas

 

[rmorgan]

Given that you're in Drake Bay--are you not diving Isla del Caño? Budget, I certainly understand. FWIW, though, we did a few days of diving there in 2021 and were very happy. We saw turtles, a shark or two, some stingrays, good fish count including Titan triggers, and we were quite pleased with the dive operation. Rental gear was newish to brand-new, good boat, excellent guide.

 

[TheArkDiversPanama]

Scuba diving in Coiba National Park, on the Pacific Coast of Panama is a truly unique experience. Away from the crowds, under the radar from mass tourism, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the perfect place for those looking for a new off-the-beaten path scuba diving destination.

Coiba is forming part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, along with the famous and notorious Galapagos, Socorro, Cocos Islands and Malpelo. Thriving with big schools of fish, pelagics.

From these destinations, Coiba is the only one that you can easily access without a liveaboard, with only 25 min boat ride from our Boutique Eco-Lodge. Which is a big big plus!

If you love big marine life, schools of fish and loads of sharks.. you will find it all here.

Find more info about our all-inclusive Dive+stay Packages on our webpage : thearkdivers.com

Happy bubbles,

Audrey and Mike

 

[moorish8idol]

Late reply but hopefully can benefit others watching.

Malpelo (for me) is an absolute must-do if you love the big animals - its my favourite diving experience thus far (also, the most challenging). That being said it is not cheap and certainly not for beginners (the National Park requires minimum 50 logged dives but I think you would likely benefit from having quite a bit more experience than that). Highly recommend you get in a bunch of varied diving experience in (including on liveaboards and in places with currents) before you head out there.

Coiba is the only place in the "triangle" I haven't been yet and have been quietly following Ark Divers since before their lodge had even begun construction. Super keen to hear about peoples' experiences there...

 

[Saltwaterconnection]

Hello,

I have passed my padi open water in Cabo San Lucas (Baja California- Mexico) in December 2023.

I'm currently in Costa Rica in Drake bay and I will visit Panama then Colombia.

I'm gonna crossed a lot of nice dives spots but I don't have the money to multiply the dives and need to be selective.

I'm really interested by big animals (sharks, turtles, mantas)

What would you recommend to me ?
- Isla del caño - Costa rica (we have a lot of rain and Diving center told me baja del diablo is not guarantee).
OR
- Isla coiba - Panama
OR
- other spot in Colombia (Malpelo ?)

Knowing that i dont think return in those countries and i would like to don't miss a "must to see spot in world"

i cannot do galapagos and Coco Island.

Also i was thinking maybe i can pass the advanced in Panama/Colombia.

And doing one dive in pacific and one dive in caribean if i read the expérience is completely different (bocas del toro, Providencia, tayrona...) i don't know.

Thank you for helping a begginner in this new world

Hello,

In my personal experience, I would highly recommend Coiba as it's a larger area with more variety. If you're looking to see larger marine animals, I suggest trying to dive at Contreras. Although these are usually pre-scheduled trips, they are absolutely worth it.

Isla del Caño is also an impressive destination, but keep in mind that it's smaller and can be a bit more expensive in comparison. If you're interested, I can recommend other fantastic diving spots in Costa Rica as well.

Feel free to check out my website at Saltwater Connection for more information and details!

Let me know if you have any questions or need further advice. Happy diving!