Would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for the horrible bars and restaurants near this beach. Beach itself was very nice, but all the bars/restaurants take zero responability in taking care of the environment. There was trash everywhere, and loud music to hide the noise of the diesel engines (to provide for electricity) in the background. All garbage is just being pushed into the wild jungle behind these bars/restaurants. Please don't support this and avoid the beach in it's entirely for as long as this doesn't change.

This beach is beautiful; however there is a lots of garbage behind restaurants, it would be nice if municipality decide to clean it up! Lots of boats, exhaust fumes and loud music. That's unfortunate, If you want to visit better beach, red frog beach is much cleaner and nicer.

I loved this beach. It was one of my favorite of all the beaches in Bocas island hopping. But I was told I only enjoyed it because it was empty due to travel just opening back up in Panama and the pandemic still hampering tourism. Essentially, it was empty the day I visited except for the three other small groups who were clearly Panamanian travelers visiting for their national holiday. I can see how this precious spot could be overrun by water taxis and tourist splashing around with the starfish and disturbing this pristine environment. So, go now! Or in the off season. Because these beaches are empty and private and it’s Luxurious and virus safe to have them practically to yourself. There are several “restaurants” more like snack shacks serving fresh fish and cocktails on the beach and they have lounge chair service. This is a common sight at popular beaches like these in Central and South America. Out of The numerous snack shacks on the beach, only one was open, El Sabor Flavor, run by Aida and her family. They had standard Panama virus protocol protections in place, even though we were outside on a beach. You had to have your temperature taken, and sanitize your hands before ordering from their chalkboard menu. They were all wearing masks while serving and cooking food too. Bring cash. It’s a cash only spot like most places like this. The food was delicious. I got shrimp and rice and the salad was great too. Aida, the owner, was busy making gorgeous beaded bracelets on the beach, in hopes she would have sales for the Christmas season. I bought two and they are divine. She wrapped them in adorable holiday paper. And the beach: gorgeous! Clear water for snorkeling or just enjoying the starfish and fish. But please do not touch them. Go before it’s overrun by tourists again and it doesn’t feel as safe. Getting there on a US airline SAFELY during a pandemic is the trick with no mask enforcement and idiots blowing their nose on the plane because they have no consideration for others in the United States. Fly Copa or just wait to go in the off season when you are vaccinated and won’t potentially die to see this beautiful spot.

Very beautiful beach and nature that unfortunately is not respected enough. There is tons of boats coming to the beach, polluting it with their fuel and bringing tourists seeking for a party. Music from the bars is super loud and there's a lot of alcohol being served. Many tourists don't respect the signs saying that starfish should not be touched neither taken out of water. They just care about their pics and don't care about starfish. The best is to go to the very end of the beach where you can sit and at least enjoy a bit the beach in peace without loud music and tourists with glasses of alcohol in their hands. You can take a bus from Simon Bolivar park for 2.5$ to Bocas del Drago and then walk around 15 mins on a very nice path along the coast. Bus leaves every hour o'clock starting from 7am to 7pm.

We took the bus next to the park (2.5$) which leaves every 30 minutes or once is full. The ride takes around 50 minutes on a bumpy road ( they are fixing it but it will take some years until it's ready). Once you get off the bus you can walk 15 minutes or take a water taxi (1.5$) to starfish beach. The beach is very nice, the water was calm and there are plenty of starfish to see. We were lucky and saw sloths and dolphins as well. Also we had a very nice lobster for lunch for an affordable price.

The beach was very overcrowded when I went there. There wasn't any meter without people and loud music. It does have a nice atmosphere but don't go there if you want some relaxing beach time (at least not on weekends or holidays). Also didn't see any starfish. However, if you do go, make sure to not take the water taxi but walk there from bocas del drago. This was my favorite part of the visit. It's a stunning walk and you pass a lot of private little beaches.

Feb 1,2022 - took bus from Isla Colon Main Park. $2.50 per person each way -45 mins ride. Bus departs on even hour 6,8,10,12,2 and return odd hours, 9,11,1,3,5 (last bus). Not bad ride. On arrival, you can take a water taxi to Starfish beach from where the bus dropped you or hike 10-15 mins (nice walk along the water). Not many starfish this time (we were here 2 years ago and lots of star fish). Maybe due to high tide. Water was cleaner and clearer when you walk further down. We used the beach chairs at the first restaurant and had lunch of fried fish (mackerel),shrimp (nothing special), coconut water ($2), pineapple juice ($3) and beers. BEWARE- the guy tried to overcharge us for the fish!! We ordered a medium ($12 on their menu board) and large ($15). When paying, they insisted the medium was $15 and large $18 even when it was in print on their board the price we ordered. After much argument, we ended up settling with the lady who took our order and pay the price we ordered. Restaurant is Rest Emily - first restaurant on arrival when you walked to the beach. What a disappointment as we had eaten at same restaurant 2 years before Covids and it was a good experience.

A beautiful beach that, unfortunately, has been ruined by over tourism. Though we tried looking for them everywhere around the beach, we couldn't see any starfish 😔 the beach is also pretty crowded and very noisy. It's also not very clean. Nevertheless, I wouldn't miss the visit if you're around. Make sure that you do the 20 minutes walk to beach rather than taking a boat, that's been the favorite part of the visit, as you go through a beautiful and quite path around the beach. Very recommended.

The beach is crowded by cheap bars and terrible music, nothing compared to the wild experience I was expecting. You can see few starfish but I would suggest to keep on walking until the bars ends and you can enjoy some pure nature

So very crowded! And with tourist banana boats. Plus, there are jellys. They told us not to go on a weekend. I read this with so many reviews, and we had our own boat, so we could’ve gone at any time, but it was supposed to be really stormy the next few days and so we decided to go to Starfish Beach on a Sunday. Big mistake. Every bit of the charm was lost as there were giant Tourist banana boats with 10 people each, bouncing along and screaming and yelling and I know they were having fun, but it took the entire beauty of the beach away. There is something pretty awful about a giant motorized boat with a bunch of people on it screaming really loudly that ruins the atmosphere of a tranquil beach. I don’t mind the banana-boat-type-fun loud fast boats. I just think that should be reserved for areas like Myrtle Beach South Carolina or other super populated touristy places. It felt really out of place to have them on Starfish Beach. I’m quite certain the starfishes didn’t appreciate it either. ;) We did see quite a few starfish, but again, the beach was super crowded. My son was also stung pretty badly by jellyfish! So often when the waters are calm and tranquil that does tend to be jellyfish, so be aware. I also saw some people handling the starfish, which made me cringe a little bit. You’re really not supposed to be picking them up. Right after my son was stung by the jellyfish we left, so we did not get the chance to explore any of the restaurants our walk down Drago Beach, so it was a bit of a shame. I’m sure the place is lovely if it was not on a weekend. Just having the really loud motorboat touristy situations was really incongruous with what a beautiful beach it was. Will I go back? Probably not, just because I know that there are jellyfish. But I really did want to go to Drago Beach, which you can walk to from Starfish Beach, and eat at one of the restaurants. That said, It is a gorgeous beach. I’ve been to so many beaches that look very similar, but are completely deserted, especially because we vacation a great deal on small sailboats, so we go to several deserted beaches. This reminded me of the quality of that type of beach. Beautiful, warm water, sandy beach, but again, just overrun with people and the occasional jellyfish.

Amazing place. Went today, 30 may 2023, it was us and max 20 other people scattered around. Seen a bunch of starfish and a sloth. the water was crystal

Only 5 starfish left. Hard to find. Everyone takes pics of the same 3 which I struggle to believe are still alive. Once upon a time this place would have been a paradise, now it’s overrun with speed boats, jet skis for hire and dozens and dozens of boats offloading loud tourists (often American) direct from hotels who don’t want to have to take the 30 min bus. Beach is covered with rickety restaurants and bars charging inflated prices for very limited menus. None speak any English.

Starfish Beach is located in Panama and is a great spot for families with young children to dip their toes in the Caribbean Sea. The water is shallow and clear, making it great for a swim. You will have to be careful of the stumps dotted around, however.

The name fits it, calm waters and loads of fish some crabs and star fish! Took a fun boat ride, swam and checked out all the marine life in the crystal clear water and relaxed on the sandy beach.

Playa Estrella isnt the beach you go to just watch starfish. This beach has restaurants across all the beach. Your boat captain will take you to whoever he has arrange a deal with. Food is good enough but restrooms are terrible and the waiting time for the food is even worst. Still, this has to do with the restaurants and not the beach. You can probably arrange to go snorkling for starfish on a more secluded part of the beach.

Very beautiful beach!! cleaning water nice Palm trees, essential beach bar and amazing Starfish!!

Super nice. There’s a huge drop off after like 10 steps in the shallow part. So make sure you can swim lol. There are a bunch of star fish at the drop off.

It's an amazing beach IMPORTANT Leave the starfish in their natural habitat. On the beach you will find signs with information DON'T TOUCH THE STARFISH. Some think that they don't hurt them if they don't get them out of the water... BUT the reality is that they die if you touch them to detach them from the sand

You can’t be in Bocas and not visit Starfish beach. Unfortunately the crowd and the loud music doesn’t make the experience very pleasant, but the amazing water and the starfish make up for it.

The walk is nice from boca del drago, the bus leaves at the park in colon and costs 2.50 we saw some starfishes but not too many. The place looks very beautiful and almost perfect... my boyfriend and I realised the sand was quite itchy and then found some fish bones stuck in our skin... so we arrived thinking it was paradise and left with very itchy skin 🙃

Nice beach. Lots of people. Setting is cool. Plenty of good food options.

Several starfishes and fishes in the water. Some restaurants, but not much more. Steep incline in water after a few meters. Reachable from Bocas Town via one hour, interesting and bumpy bus ride, and a short water taxi ride.

Good place for some snorkeling to see very impressive and large starfish. It’s easy to get her with the bus from Bocas del toro square for 2,5 dollar for foreigners (leaving every full hour from 7 am). Way back it’s the same, from playa Estrella to bocas every hour.

Great place on Isla Colon a must stop for tourists. Calm water great food and starfish everywhere. Spend at least a few hours chilling

We must have been lucky, because when we visited in the morning in late april we got to see lots of starfish in the amazingly clear waters.. hundreds of them! Also, the beach was very quiet: a few bars where open but no music and only some guests. More people were arriving around 12:00, but at this time we were leaving to avoid the worst harsh sun. I would recommend visiting this place early, 9-10 am, for the best experience.

Worth a day out if staying in the main town, although won't be the most beautiful beach you see in Bocas by any stretch. You can get the bocas del drago bus from the central park in the main town - takes about 40 minutes and costs 2.5 dollars. It's then a short walk down to this beach.

Attractive beach- we saw some star fish but there are less and less. So dont touch them! Worth a walk from the last bus station, but you could take a boat as well

Beach with palms trees for shade,sunbeds for hire,lots of cafe/restaurant for food. Beach activities banana boat,sofa ride,jet skis. Lots of starfish out a bit of a way from shore. Saw sloths in trees. You can take nice walk from drop off or a boat to the beach.

You can see here Starfish