Lined with palm trees, turquoise waters, and plenty of shade, the two small Zapatilla Islands, listed as a National Park, feature some of the most beautiful beaches in Bocas del Toro. Both Zapatilla North and Zapatilla South are partly sheltered by a coral reef and offer decent snorkeling, despite the occasionally strong current. This page is about Cayo Zapatilla South, you can also check the Cayo Zapatilla North report.
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How to get to Cayo Zapatilla South snorkeling spot?
Cayo Zapatilla is a duo of islands at the eastern tip of the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, which are only accessible by boat. A visit to Cayo Zapatilla is included in many of the snorkeling tours offered in town and online. It can however be difficult to get confirmation about which island, Zapatilla North or Zapatilla South, will be included in your itinerary.
Full-day tours from Isla Colon often combine one of the Zapatilla Islands, another snorkeling location such as Cayo Coral, as well as dolphin watching and observation of sloths. If you want to visit the two islands, then the best option is to organize a private tour.
Water entrance for snorkeling Cayo Zapatilla South
The recommended snorkel entry at Zapatilla South is from the beach, just right to the jetty. As the current usually runs in a west-to-east direction, it will allow you to drift instead of swimming against the current.
Cayo Zapatilla is more subject to waves and currents than other snorkeling locations in the archipelago. Before entering the water, get the advice of the National Park Office or your guide about the sea conditions and the best way to snorkel the location.
Cayo Zapatilla South snorkeling tips and recommendations
The snorkeling area at Cayo Zapatilla South stretches around the island’s eastern tip. It is bounded by the jetty to the west, by the reef to the north, and by the two tiny rocky islets to the west and the south (see map). As the usual current is in a southwards direction, get back to the beach and exit the water when are at the level of the two islets.
Starting from the beach, you first cross a dozen or so meters of seagrass beds visited by different types of surgeonfish, jacks, and the elusive peacock flounder. You’ll then reach the first coral patches (↕3-6 feet/1-2 meters), but most of them are very much damaged, as this area is exposed to the waves and currents.
You then follow the current and make your way slowly to the two islets. In this area, it is easy to see bluehead wrasse, several species of butterflyfish, and, with a bit of luck, juvenile French angelfish and gray angelfish.
Near the rocky islets, the coral is in slightly better condition. Around the massifs, you will spot large numbers of sergeant majors, and several species of damselfish, as well as the colorful Spanish hogfish.
In the deepest areas, large shoals of grunt shelter at the foot of the reefs.
Restaurants and accommodations nearby
There are no restaurants on the islands. You will generally have the choice of taking a picnic with you or having lunch in a nearby restaurant, such as Restaurante Alfonso. Check what is precisely included in your tour before booking it.
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