I actually own a resort in Bocas Del Toro which is on the east side. On the west side the tide rises and falls 20 feet every day and the Ocean is pretty rough. I think you will find the diving mediocre at best anywhere in Panama. Coiba is probably the only place worth diving. Coiba is an advanced dive though. The currents rip hard through there, there are deep undertows, visibility is frequently poor and the sea life just is not that impressive. I personally dont trust the dive operations there to be equipped properly for emergencies either. If you do not get to dive in a tropical environment often, then you very well may enjoy diving somewhere like Bocas Del Toro. Realize that Bocas, and Coiba are islands, and are not really accessible from the mainland other than by boat or plane. Personally I think if you are in Bocas you would be better off snorkeling anyway. Bocas is a beautiful archipelago surrounded by shallow water, and many small corals, and small fishes. Local children free dive off of hand made wooden kayukas to harvest lobster, crab and other seafood delights. It truly is a tropical paradise, too bad the diving is not better. Reminds me of what the Florida Keys must have been like before Flagler. The other aspect is medical safety. In Bocas, if you get hurt worse than a scratch, you are in trouble. Definitely getting medivacced out. Someone checked the lone local ambulance and found that they didnt even have band-aids on the thing. If you want to go to a quirky, 3rd world Caribbean town that once was, then Bocas is for you. I would call ahead though and make sure it has rained recently and that they have water. Also BE SURE to pick your lodging carefully. PM me if you want additional tips. I have spent a ton of time in Panama. If you have never been I strongly recommend the Gamboa nature preserve. Like diving, only above water. You will see an amazing amount of wild life there.
