Bryan Cunningham
Contributor
Dive Right In
The Pacific coast is tops for diving thrills. Santa Catalina is one gateway to the Coiba Island National Marine Park, home to the second largest coral reef in the eastern Pacific. The waters around Coiba Island and neighboring islands (off the coast between David and Panama City) are habitats for hammerhead, whale and white-tip sharks, as well as dolphins and sea turtles; sightings of orcas and humpback whales are fairly common, too. This dive experience is usually offered in a week-long dive boat package, geared to divers but with enough shallow waters for snorkelers. Additionally, reefs around the small islands off the Azuero Peninsula are virtually untouched and unexplored.
On the Caribbean coast, offshore from Portobelo (30 miles from Colon) the best diving is at Buena Ventura Islandwith both shallow and deep divingand Saladina Reef, where wooden galleons rest on the sea floor and 75 ft. down divers can explore a sunken C-45 aircraft. Closer in are the colorful coral gardens off Farallones reef near Drakes Island, which teem with reef fish.
The beautiful islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago are another favorite, sheltering 74 of the Caribbeans 79 coral species, a variety of sponges, neon fish, peppermint shrimp, eels and dozens of little invertebrate creatures. The waters are clearest at the end of August to early November, and there are plenty of dive shops in Bocas Town that arrange for half- and full-day excursions, offer lessons or a certified PADI course. Dive sites include:
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The Pacific coast is tops for diving thrills. Santa Catalina is one gateway to the Coiba Island National Marine Park, home to the second largest coral reef in the eastern Pacific. The waters around Coiba Island and neighboring islands (off the coast between David and Panama City) are habitats for hammerhead, whale and white-tip sharks, as well as dolphins and sea turtles; sightings of orcas and humpback whales are fairly common, too. This dive experience is usually offered in a week-long dive boat package, geared to divers but with enough shallow waters for snorkelers. Additionally, reefs around the small islands off the Azuero Peninsula are virtually untouched and unexplored.
On the Caribbean coast, offshore from Portobelo (30 miles from Colon) the best diving is at Buena Ventura Islandwith both shallow and deep divingand Saladina Reef, where wooden galleons rest on the sea floor and 75 ft. down divers can explore a sunken C-45 aircraft. Closer in are the colorful coral gardens off Farallones reef near Drakes Island, which teem with reef fish.
The beautiful islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago are another favorite, sheltering 74 of the Caribbeans 79 coral species, a variety of sponges, neon fish, peppermint shrimp, eels and dozens of little invertebrate creatures. The waters are clearest at the end of August to early November, and there are plenty of dive shops in Bocas Town that arrange for half- and full-day excursions, offer lessons or a certified PADI course. Dive sites include:
- Cuevitaone of the best dives on the outer reef, lots of caves and swim-thrus;
- Punta Manglarcorals in great condition, no current, great place for a night dive;
- Sachena shallow dive with a strong current, often nurse sharks and good diving for advanced divers;
- Zapatillas Caysa little farther away than other dive spots; most beautiful islands in archipelago; nice swimthrus.
The historic waters of the vast Gatun Lake of the Panama Canal are littered with French machinery and a train submerged during early attempts at canal-building. Diving here is for super-achievers and requires the assistance of a good dive company, perhaps one that offers a 1-day dive two oceans and the canal adventure, starting on the Caribbean coast, moving to the canal, and finishing off the last dive in Pacific waters. *Of note: Clients who will be diving in Panama should bring what proof of certification they have, and in turn, ask for certification of a local dive master.
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