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.