Hospital Point
Bocas del Toro · Panama
Fringing reef off the northwest tip of Isla Solarte, named for an old United Fruit Company hospital ashore. Shallow lettuce and brain coral gardens roll over into a wall that drops to about 15 metres, with parrotfish, wrasse, and seahorses by day and nurse sharks and lobster active at night. Calm and close to Bocas Town.
Conditions
Depth
2 to 16 m
Good for beginners
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
6 to 12 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
27 to 30°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 27 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
| Vis (m) | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 10 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Moderate |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Stoplight Parrotfish
Last confirmed Apr 28, 2026 · 50 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Foureye Butterflyfish
Last confirmed Apr 28, 2026 · 53 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Bluehead Wrasse
Last confirmed Jun 3, 2026 · 33 records
Very likely
Most dives
Nurse Shark
Last confirmed Jun 25, 2026 · 21 records
Very likely
Most dives
Longsnout Seahorse
Last confirmed Apr 28, 2026 · 9 records
Very likely
Most dives
Southern Stingray
Last confirmed Jun 30, 2026 · 12 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Gear