There are meeting sites for scuba diving and snorkelling like Portobelo Bay, Isla Mamey and Isla Grande. It could turn out to be a great adventure to dive in these waters full of the history of pirates and privateers from the XVII century, where stormy battles took place and where the mortal remains of the famous pirate Sir Francis Drake, were laid to rest at sea in a leaden casket. The best diving months are April, May, November and December….’
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‘It's the impressive coral reefs found offshore in Panama that are often the aim of a Panama dive trip. The shallow waters on Panama's Atlantic side present an array of colorful fish, and they are best for viewing coral formations. On the Pacific side, rocky formations are more characteristic, and the deeper waters house a wider array of big fish. In the Pacific waters, you can even expect to possibly see Humpback Whales, giant Sailfish, Tiger Sharks and Giant Turtles, among other species. In the Atlantic waters, grouper fish, sea anemones, moray eels and various kinds of sponges are among the variety of sea life. Add a Panama dive to your Panama vacation, and see just why divers around the world are raving about Panama diving. You are sure to come away from the experience with a lifetime of memories….’
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Bocas Water Sports
Bocas del toro's longest running dive shop!
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Bocas Water Sports visits over 15 dive sites regularly, and their
crew is constantly seeking new and interesting playgrounds. Their captains and
dive masters are thrilled to show you the ultimate dive sites in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Of course, that depends on your wishes and mother nature’s. The following three dive sites we’re happy to share publicly. To customize a package that is just as unique, exclusive, and totally different as you are, simply inquire below. Tell us what you want to achieve while on your extreme Panama outdoor adventure.
Hospital Point
Located just off the northwest corner of Isla Solarte, Hospital Point offers a dramatic backdrop to your dives. Topside, this is one of the most
beautiful spots in the archipelago, but underwater is where the real magic begins. We commence with a shallow seagrass bed and swim a short distance to a vertical mini-wall, coated with lettuce corals and swarming with tropical reef fish plus a grand mixture of both hard and soft corals, vase sponges, and encrusting sponges. One remarkable feature of this site is an enormous rock outcropping which extends out over the reef, giving shelter to schools of silversides.
The Playground
One of the closest sites to Bocas Town, The Playground starts with a shallow, sandy area that is covered with pillow starfish, conch, sea cucumber, and various weird invertebrates. As we approach the reef, surgeonfish, parrotfish, damselfish and other colorful reef fish begin to bloom. The reef here is enormouslyhealthy, and moray eels, spiny lobster, and channel clinging crabs call The Playground home. This area is also known for some of the biggest
Barrel sponges in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Another feature of this site is an underwater cable that provides electricity to one of the neighboring islands. Following this cable presents an interesting biology lesson on the strange species of ecosystems in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Punta Manglar (Mangrove
Point)/The Wreck
This is a beautiful reef structure beginning with approximately 12 feet of water and descending to roughly 60 feet; this area showcases a vast array of hard and soft corals, sponges, and schooling reef fish. The superficial component of this reef system is alive with a rainbow of vibrant colors. In the
deeper waters the odds are in our favor to find large grouper and snapper stalking their prey. Close to this reef structure is another of our favorite dive sites. Called simply "The Wreck," this site is the best wreck dive in Bocas. This ship was a car ferry that was sunk intentionally in 1999 as
an artificial reef. She sits in approximately 35 feet of sea water and her decks come within 20 feet of the surface. Being submerged for many
years, the wreck is totally covered with file clams, corals, and sponges and is also a guaranteed place to find a multitude of strange feather duster worms, spaghetti worms, and arrow crabs.
Some other great dive sites are White House, Sashen, Dolphin Point, Polo Beach, and 05.
Coiba National Park is the largest marine preserve in the Republic of Panama. Its past as a penal colony helped to conserve the forest and the surrounding waters of this archipielago. Today the prisoners are gone, and we can enjoy pristine waters where we find large schools of barracudas, surgeonfish, white tip sharks, and many more species that make diving in Coiba such a thrill.
The departure point for your trip is at Santa Catalina, a small village in the South of Veraguas province. Santa Catalina is known for its great waves attracting surfers from all over the world. What is less commonly known is that Santa Catalina makes a perfect jumping point to visit some of Panama's best dive sites in the Coiba National Park, often compaired to the Galapagos. In fact, Coiba is the breeding ground or pit-stop for life that heads toward the Galapagos via the Pacific ocean’s major highway.
Dive packages from Perico Divers include all meals from the moment you arrive in Santa Catalina to the time we return to Panama. There will be water and snacks on the boats also. We also include lodging both in Santa Catalina and in Coiba Island.
In Santa Catalina we will stay at comfortable cabins next to the dive center. In Coiba Island we will stay at the park ranger’s camp, in dormitory style cabins with air conditioning and indoor bathroom.
You’ll be diving with Santa Catalina’s oldest running scuba diving operation, in business since 2003. Their dive masters have very extensive knowledge of the dive sites and conditions of the area, and will be guiding us for some very safe and pleasant diving.
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