v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Low-tide starfish flats (best for watching, not touching) — The shallow, sandy flats here host unusually high densities of colorful starfish that sit exposed at low tide. You can walk right into waist-deep, glassy water and watch them move slowly across the sand — great for close photos without disturbing them. (Personal favorite: it’s oddly peaceful watching dozens of starfish bobbing in tiny ripples while the sun warms the sand.)
- Snorkeling the seagrass beds — Unlike deep reef snorkels, the seagrass around Starfish Beach is shallow and calm, so you float above starfish, crabs and juvenile fish without strong currents. It’s a cheap, kid-friendly way to see marine life up close; just keep fins high and don’t prod the creatures.
- Paddle out through the mangrove channels — Rent a cheap kayak
- Low-tide starfish flats (best for watching, not touching) — The shallow, sandy flats here host unusually high densities of colorful starfish that sit exposed at low tide. You can walk right into waist-deep, glassy water and watch them move slowly across the sand — great for close photos without disturbing them. (Personal favorite: it’s oddly peaceful watching dozens of starfish bobbing in tiny ripples while the sun warms the sand.)
- Snorkeling the seagrass beds — Unlike deep reef snorkels, the seagrass around Starfish Beach is shallow and calm, so you float above starfish, crabs and juvenile fish without strong currents. It’s a cheap, kid-friendly way to see marine life up close; just keep fins high and don’t prod the creatures.
- Paddle out through the mangrove channels — Rent a cheap kayak or SUP and follow the sheltered mangrove fingers that feed into the beach. From above you get a different view of the starfish clusters, hidden coves with sleeping rays, and glassy channels that make for easy, scenic paddling at low wind.
- Shallow-water sunset reflections and photography — Because the beach has broad, shallow flats, sunsets produce mirrorlike reflections with starfish silhouettes and pastel skies — a photographer’s dream without needing expensive gear. Bring a small tripod or just use the wet sand for creative reflections.
- Night tide-pooling and quiet stargazing — The beach gets very quiet after dark; with a headlamp you can pick apart low-tide pools for nocturnal crabs and other small creatures (leave anything you find where it belongs). On clear nights the open horizon also makes for excellent stargazing — occasional bioluminescent flashes happen in the region but are sporadic, so ask a local if you want to chase them.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach
✓ Free cancellation
Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro
✓ Free cancellation
Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama
A Bocas Mangrove Kayak & Reef Snorkel Eco Tour
✓ Free cancellation
Shuttle Service from Bocas del Toro, Panama to Puerto Viejo, Talamanca, CR.
✓ Free cancellation
Shuttle Service Bocas Del Toro, Panama to San Jose, Costa Rica.
✓ Free cancellation
Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach
✓ Free cancellation
Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island
Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo
Yoga in Bocas del Toro town
✓ Free cancellation
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.