Explore Isla Secas Dive Sites

The Gulf’s 20 islands are home to some of the oldest coral reefs in Panama, where recent core drilling revealed reefs more than 5,600 years old. Researchers have noted the 7.6-ha fringing reef at Barracuda Island at Isla Secas is the best-developed and largest reef in the Gulf of Chiriquí. This reef provides habitat and shelter for a diverse range of marine life, which makes for prime Panama diving. Our Panama diving resort on the Pacific Coast is close to Isla Secas, the most diverse dive location in the Gulf of Chiriqui.

Isla Secas

The Isla Secas is located on a chain of sixteen volcanic islands 18 miles from the Lodge and features excellent diving with clear waters and a variety of marine life. 

One of the most pristine places to go scuba diving in Panama is Isla Secas. This destination is part of a national marine park which has kept the area underdeveloped. Unlike other countries, don’t expect to find lots of tourists competing to go to the same sites. Most likely it will just be your boat diving on the site.

Interactive Dive Map

Isla Secas Dive Locations:

Dive Site: La Bruja, Islas Secas Archipelago

La Bruja is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 55 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

La Bruja is an exposed site that features a small isolated pillar-like elevation with an exorbitant concentration of marine life. The bottom of the pinnacle is wide, and as it rises towards the surface it becomes narrow. The maximum depth is 91-100ft/28-30m. The average visibility is 71-80ft/22-24m. Temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F. During the dive you will see healthy corals that have emerged from the rocks. The species that inhabit these corals include Green Moray, Zebra Moray, Blunthead Triggerfish, Panamic Porkfish, Blue-and-gold snapper, Giant Hawkfish, Barberfish, King Angelfish, Parrotfish. Surrounding the pinnacle, you can see schools of Blue Spotted Jack, Pacific-Crevalle Jack, Golden Jack, Southern Stingray. You can also spot sea turtles and there is a white tip shark nest.

Suitable for advanced divers

Dive Site: The Nest, Islas Secas Archipelago

The Nest is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 45 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

Located in small protected bay in the northwest of Islas Secas. There are shallow waters with sandy bottom, and closer to the spot there is a steep drop covered in corals where you can spot white-tip shark nests. There are at least 3 of them, this is why the spot is named The Nest. The coral is also home to species like Moorish Idol, Coral Hawkfish, Pufferfish of many colors, Parrot fish, Bumped Parrotfish, amongst others. The maximum depth is 65ft/20m. Temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F. The average visibility is 65ft/20m though, it can be affected by the north winds. On the sandy bottom we can see Mexican Goatfish, Redlight Goby, Stingrays, Spotted Eagle Ray, and schools of Barracuda and different types of Jacks.

Suitable for all levels of expertise

Dive Site: Las 3 Marias, Islas Secas Archipelago

Las 3 Marias is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 45 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

This site is located in the backside of the Secas Island, exposed to the Pacific offshore. We can find shallow areas, as well as very deep areas. The maximum depth is 147ft/45m, and visibility is 49-65ft/15-20m. Temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F. In the shallow area there is a wide variety of completely healthy corals. We can spot lobsters, Moray Eels, and Crocodile Needlefish that swim very close to the surface. Deeper you can find rocks and there are some types of snapper like the Pacific Dog Snapper, and the Spotted Rose Snapper. There are also Groupers, and Blunthead Triggerfish which are very common to see in the deeper areas.

Suitable for advanced divers

Dive Site: Barracuda, Islas Secas Archipelago

Barracuda is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 45 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

In this site there is an extensive coral reef that is near the shoreline. The length of this reef is of 600 m long approximately. This protected barrier is formed by only one type of hard coral. It’s a good spot for diving, as well as for snorkeling. As the waters are shallow is recommended to visit this spot with high tide. The maximum depth is of 40ft/12m. There is very good visibility (40ft/12m), and the temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F. During the dive you can spot an array of colorful fishes such as the Coral Hawkfish, Panamic Sergeant Major, Chamaleon Wrasse, Cortez Angelfish, Barberfish, Moorish Idol, Guineafowl Puffer, King Angelfish, amongst others.

Suitable for all levels of expertise

Dive Site: El Flor, Islas Secas Archipelago

El Flor is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 40 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

Formed by two rocky outcrops that face Isla Secas main island which allows safe and calmed water conditions. There is a sandy bottom in between these and a coral reef that surrounds the outcrops. The mixed corals in this spot form small caves that protect species like the Coral Hawkfish, Giant Hawkfish, Cortez Rainbow Wrasse, Spinster Wrasse, and the small spotted Sharpnose Puffer. In this site we can spot sea turtles and big fishes such as the Roosterfish, and Needlefish swimming close to the surface. Maximum depth is 55ft/17m, the average visibility is 55ft/17m. Temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F.

Suitable for all levels of expertise

Dive Site: Green Field Point, Islas Secas Archipelago

Green Field Point is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 40 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

This small islet is a protected bay with shallow waters. There are rocks and a mix of soft and hard corals that surround this small area. The maximum depth is 39ft/12m, and the average visibility is 50ft/15m, and temperature is 27-29 C/80-85 F. In this site we can spot turtles feeding on the seaweed of the sandy bottom. You can also be mesmerized by the array of colorful coral fishes such as Angelfish, Bicolor Parrotfish, Mexican Hogfish, Giant Hawkfish, Barberfish, and different types of puffers. It is also common to see the Spotted Eagle Ray.

Suitable for all levels of expertise

Dive Site: Lighthouse Point, Islas Secas Archipelago

Lighthouse Point is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 50 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

Considering the direction from the resort towards Coiba, it is the last island of the Secas Archipelago. In this exposed site you can find a shallow area with soft and hard corals in the bottom full of small and middle-size fishes that inhabit it. There is a reef rocky edge that runs vertically from the shallow area to a deeper zone that drops to approximate 147ft/45m. The average visibility is 49-65ft/15-20m. Temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F. The site has exposure to different types of currents. These currents provide nutrients that feed big schools of fish like the Jacks, Rainbow Runner, Pacific Barracuda, and Snappers.

Suitable for advanced divers

Dive Site: Turtle Point, Islas Secas Archipelago

Turtle Point is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 40 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

This small islet is located in between Pargo Island and a small island that is right next to the main island of the Archipelago. Its location makes it a protected site for diving, and at the rocky bottom there are hard and soft coral reefs. In between the coral structures you can spot many healthy brain corals. The depth varies in between 29-55ft/9-17m and the visibility is 55-65ft/17-20m. The temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F. You can spot Green Morays, some varieties of Hawkfish, Cortez Chub, Mexican Hogfish, and different types of Angelfish. Sea turtles such as the Hawksbill and Olive Ridley Turtle swim by this site, hence its name.

Suitable for all levels of expertise

Dive Site: Resort, Islas Secas Archipelago

 Resort Point is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 40 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

Situated to the southeast of the main Archipelago island and facing the mainland which makes this site is partially protected. During the northern wind season, these waters can be affected, making their conditions change considerably. The depth is approximately 49ft/15m, and the visibility is 49ft/15m. The temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F.

Healthy hard corals border this site and provide a home to species like Tinsel Squirrelfish, Chancho Surgeonfish, Beaubrummel, Scissortail Damselfish, Giant Hawkfish, and different types of puffers. You can also see Spotted Eagle Rays, Moray Eels, Panamic Green Moray, Trumpetfish, and juvenile Golden Jack.

Suitable for all levels of expertise

Dive Site: Coral Garden, Islas Secas Archipelago

Coral Garden is boat dive located close to Isla Secas Archipelago, travel time is 45 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

This small islet is also protected as it is located in between Pargo island and the main island of the Archipelago. This one is closest to Pargo island and is very small in size so in only one immersion you can discover the entire site. There is a coral garden consisting of many healthy hard and soft corals that surround the island. Depth of 59ft/18m, visibility is 49ft/15m. The temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F. This spot is good for snorkeling too as the clear water provides great visibility of the colorful coral garden. Trumpetfish, Lobsters, Orangeside Triggerfish, Giant Damselfish, Guineafowl Puffer, and Golden phase puffer are some of the species to be spotted.

Suitable for all levels of expertise

Dive Site: Frigatte Point, Isla Secas Archipelago

Frigate Point is boat dive located close to Isla Ladrones, travel time is 40 min from Cala Mia Island Dive Resort.

This small rocky island is home to a colony of Frigate birds. Characterized by rocks mixed with corals in the bottom. Approximately 33ft/10 meters depth, and the visibility is 49ft/15m. The temperature is 27-29 C/ 80-85 F. Schools of Pacific Crevalle Jacks can be spotted passing by. You can spot other species such as Chancho Surgeonfish, Giant Damselfish, King Angelfish, Panamic Sergeant Major, and starfishes. The rock formations create protection for smaller fishes such as the Panamic Soldierfish. This site offers a good opportunity also for snorkeling.

 Suitable for all levels of expertise

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