Bocas del Toro is a group of green, forested islands on the Caribbean coast of Panama, close to the border with Costa Rica. Clear water, coral reefs, mangrove forests and quiet beaches make the archipelago one of the most beautiful places in Central America.
Panama lies south of the main Caribbean hurricane belt, so the islands enjoy a warm and stable tropical climate throughout the whole year.
Isla Bastimentos and Red Frog Beach
Seahorse Point sits on Isla Bastimentos, the same island as Red Frog Beach, which is famous for surf, soft sand and the tiny red poison dart frogs that gave the beach its name. A large part of the island and the sea around the island is protected by the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, which covers about 33,000 acres of forest, mangrove, seagrass and coral reef.
Coral reefs and clear water
The reefs around Bocas del Toro are some of the best conserved on the Caribbean coast of Panama, and several reefs lie only a short paddle or boat ride from Seahorse Point. Snorkellers see brain coral, sea stars, reef fish and wide seagrass meadows, while bottlenose dolphins often pass through the bay in the early morning.
Popular trips include the Zapatilla cays inside the marine park and Starfish Beach on Isla Colón, where large orange sea stars rest in shallow, calm water.
Rainforest and wildlife
The islands are covered in lowland Caribbean rainforest, one of the richest habitats on Earth. Two-toed and three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys, hummingbirds, parrots and poison dart frogs all live in the forest around Seahorse Point.
Bocas Town
Bocas Town, the capital of the province, lies on Isla Colón about 15 minutes by boat from Seahorse Point. The town has colourful wooden houses, restaurants, cafes, shops and supermarkets, and the airport offers regular flights to Panama City. Life on Isla Bastimentos is quiet and close to nature, yet the services of Bocas Town are always within easy reach.
Contact Seahorse Point
For visits, stays, events, research or any other question, please contact Howard Dryden by email at howard@seahorsepoint.org or by WhatsApp on +44 (0)7748 701275.