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Finding Some of the Best Scuba Diving Sites in Panama

Thao Nguyen

Panama, a Central American gem nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is renowned for its incredible scuba diving and best dive sites. With its diverse marine life, stunning coral reefs, and unique underwater landscapes, it’s a bucket list destination for scuba divers of all experience levels. From the lush waters surrounding Coiba National Park to the vibrant dive spots in Bocas del Toro, here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the best scuba diving in Panama.

  • Coiba National Park

  • Santa Catalina - Gulf of Chiriquí

  • Bocas del Toro

  • The Pearl Islands

  • Portabelo National Park

  • Honorable mention of Guna Yala- Isthmus of Panama

www.thaotalks.com - The Best Scuba Diving Site in Panama

The Marvels of Coiba National Park

Coiba National Park (Nacional Parque Coiba) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a marine reserve off the Pacific coast of Panama.

Nicknamed the ‘Galápagos of Panama, comprises a group of 38 islands including Coiba Island (Isla Coiba) and the waters surrounding them, and covers 430,825 acres. The park features rich biodiversity, including various fish species, manta rays, and even the majestic humpback whales that migrate through the region. 

There’s no way around it. Because it’s an undeveloped island, you must book with a tour operator. 

  • DiveBaseCoiba (divebasecoiba.com) Local scuba experts

  • TanagerEcotours (tanagertourism.com) 

  • FluidAdventures Panama (fluidadventurespanama.com)

  • PADI's list of dive centers (www.padi.com)

To contact tour providers and make arrangements to visit the park, please email michael@fluidadventurespanama.com, javier@birdcoiba.com, info@scubacoiba.com, check out santacatalinabeach.com or make arrangements as you get into Santa Catalina. For accommodation in Santa Catalina visit Rancho Estero. (santacatalinabeach.com)

List fish commonly seen in Parque Nacional Coiba:

  • Enormous schools of tropical fish

  • Swimming with sea turtles 

  • Hammerhead sharks, Tiger Sharks, and Whale Sharks

Dive Sites in Coiba

Diving in Coiba offers a variety of dive sites suitable for both experienced divers and novices. Popular spots include:

  1. The Invasion - Known for its strong currents, this site attracts large pelagic species, including hammerhead and tiger sharks. Divers often report sightings of white-tip reef sharks and even pilot whales.

  2. The Aquarium - A great spot for shallow dives, this area showcases beautiful coral reefs and is teeming with marine life. Sea turtles and moray eels can often be seen here, making it a favorite for photographers.

  3. Los Pajaros - This dive site features stunning soft corals and an array of tropical fish, perfect for fun dives. The average depth here is moderate, making it ideal for those looking to enjoy the underwater world without venturing too deep.

Conditions and Experience

The best time for scuba diving in Coiba is during the dry season, which typically runs from December to April. During these months, water temperatures are pleasantly warm, ranging from 24°C to 28°C (75°F to 82°F), and weather conditions are generally calm. However, if you’re keen on seeing humpback whales, the rainy season (from June to October) offers excellent opportunities for whale watching. On the Pacific side, colder currents bring waters 59°F-73°F (15°C-23°C), so a 5mm will be comfortable. For those doing deep dives in the winter, thermoclines can be present, so a 7mm might be useful. (www.diveadvisor.com)

Santa Catalina: The Gateway to the Gulf of Chiriquí

For those venturing to the Pacific side of Panama, Santa Catalina serves as a popular gateway to the Gulf of Chiriquí. This small town is not only a surf haven but also a fantastic diving destination.

List fish commonly seen in the area: 

  • white tip reef sharks

  • spotted eagle rays

  • mobula rays

  • whale sharks

  • eels

  • frogfish

  • turtles

  • seahorses

  • dolphins

  • humpback whales

Dive Sites in Santa Catalina

  1. Isla Secas - This offshore island is known for its pristine dive sites, featuring vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine life. Here, divers can encounter everything from graceful eagle rays to the elusive hammerhead sharks.

  2. Coiba Marine Park - Accessible via a boat ride from Santa Catalina, the park is renowned for its deep water dives and historical sites, including sunken ships that attract unique marine species. (see above)

Conditions and Experience

Santa Catalina is a good place for experienced divers, especially due to its strong currents and deep dives. The weather conditions are generally favorable, especially during the dry season, which runs from December to April. (scubadivingfanclub.com) On the Pacific side, colder currents bring waters 59°F-73°F (15°C-23°C), so a 5mm will be comfortable. For those doing deep dives in the winter, thermoclines can be present, so a 7mm might be useful. (www.diveadvisor.com)

Bocas del Toro: A Caribbean Dive Haven

On the Caribbean side of Panama, Bocas del Toro is a vibrant archipelago known for its stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. This area is a great place for scuba diving, especially for those looking to explore the unique ecosystems of the Caribbean Sea.

Animals common to the area:

  • sharks

  • rays

  • large schools of fish

  • whale sharks

  • dolphins

  • seahorses

  • lionfish

  • crabs

  • morays

Dive Sites in Bocas del Toro

  1. Isla Bastimentos - This island boasts a variety of dive sites featuring beautiful coral reefs and abundant marine life. Divers often encounter colorful soft corals, schools of fish, and even mobula rays gliding gracefully through the water.

  2. Dolphin Bay - Named for its frequent dolphin sightings, this area also offers great diving experiences. It’s an excellent location for spotting nurse sharks and sea turtles among the coral formations.

  3. The Underwater Museum - For a unique experience, consider diving near the underwater sculptures off Isla Colon. These installations are designed to promote coral growth and serve as a habitat for fish species.

  4. Tiger Rock, Dolphin Rock, Zapatillas Cays, and many more are listed on (https://diveadvisor.com/panama). They're known for rock pinnacles, strong currents, drift diving, and healthy corals.

  5. Casablanca, Bouy Line, Airport Point, Pandora, Sashen, Barco Viejo,Casa Verde, Hospital Point, Manuel's Wall. (www.padi.com)

Conditions and Experience

Bocas del Toro enjoys a tropical climate, making it a good place for diving year-round. However, the best season to visit is from March to September, when the waters are calm and visibility is excellent. The water temperature here typically hovers around 27°C to 30°C (81°F to 86°F), perfect for a tank dive in just a 3mm wetsuit.

The Pearl Islands: Diving Beyond the Ordinary

Another incredible dive destination is the Pearl Islands, located in the Gulf of Panama. Famous for their stunning scenery and tranquil waters, these islands provide unique diving opportunities.

List fish commonly seen in The Pearl Islands:

  • Humpback Whales

  • Dolphins

  • Sea Turtles

Dive Highlights

The Pearl Islands are known for their underwater topography, which includes stunning drop-offs and vibrant coral reefs. Divers can expect to see a variety of marine life, including tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional whale shark. Pedro Gonzales Island, 40 miles from Panama City, is prime for marine wildlife sightings including humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. 

Conditions and Experience

The warm Pacific waters 80°-86F(averaging 27-30°C) and good visibility usually 50-98 feet (15-30 meters) make it ideal for beginners and advanced divers. The islands are known for colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, and even whale shark sightings. Currents can be moderate, so some dives may require experience. The best time to dive is during the dry season from December to April when seas are calm and visibility is at its peak.

Portabelo National Park

Scuba diving in Portobelo National Park, Panama, offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Divers can explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, rays, and eels, as well as historical shipwrecks from the colonial era.

Tour Operators:

List fish commonly seen in Portabelo National Park:

  • Angel Fish

  • Butterfly Fish

  • Lion Fish

  • Brain Coral

  • Juvenile moray eel

  • Blue Tang

  • Lobster

  • Nudibranch 

  • Sea Turtles

Dive Sites in Portabelo National Park:

1. Chicken Point (www.padi.com)

2. Jose Pobre Caverns (www.ssi.com)

Conditions and Experience

The Caribbean waters here are warm 79-84°F(averaging 26-29°C) with visibility ranging from 32-65 feet (10 to 20 meters), depending on the season. The area is the best place for divers of all levels, with calm waters and minimal currents. The best diving conditions are during the dry season, from December to April, when visibility is at its best and marine life is most active.

Guna Yala (Honorable Mention)

Although scuba diving is banned, the shallow, calm waters make for exquisite snorkeling. (lonelyplanet.com) Snorkeling in Guna Yala (formerly the San Blas Islands) offers an untouched and pristine experience in Panama’s Caribbean waters. With over 360 islands, the region is known for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life, including colorful fish, rays, and sea turtles.  Guna Yala’s remoteness adds to its allure, offering a peaceful, unspoiled underwater paradise.

List fish commonly seen in Guna Yala:

  • parrotfish

  • barracudas

  • rays

  • sharks

  • enormous starfish

  • trumpetfish

  • sergeants 

  • filefish

Snorkeling sites in Guna Yala:

Most popular spot: Assudub Bibbi (Isla Perro Chico) - sunken ship encrusted with sponges and corals a few steps away from the beach 

Conditions and Experience

The water temperature averages between 79-85°F (26-29°C) and visibility can reach about 100 ft (30 meters), especially during the dry season from December to April. The currents are typically gentle, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced divers.

Best Diving Practices

  • A 3 mm wetsuit is advised for people who easily get cold or are doing multiple days of 2-3 dives per day. Otherwise, the water is typically warm enough to wear a rash guard and swimming shorts. 

  • Choosing to invest and spend your money at a local dive center or operator is the best practice to sustain the local economy and give back to the people and place you’re visiting. 

  • Many dive operators in the region offer PADI dive resort experiences, equipment rental, and guided dives to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

  • Panama is a tipping culture country. Gratuity is not included in most dive packages. Please budget a tip for your dive guide, boat captain, and any crew. (double the tip if you're high maintenance, inexperienced, need a lot of help, and if you break anything or lose any dive gear)

General Diving Conditions & Wildlife

The Pacific waters of Panama can be unpredictable. The dry and rainy seasons can kick off or wrap up weeks earlier or later than you might expect. Visibility can change daily, so you might experience good or bad conditions at any time. On the bright side, the migratory patterns of marine animals are a bit more reliable, making them easier to plan around!

Dry Season: December - May
Rainy Season: June - November

January: Whale Sharks
March: Manta Rays
April - May: Hammerhead Sharks (typically in Coiba National Park only)
July - October: Humpback Whales

*disclaimer: these are based on past history, not a guarantee of sightings. Climate changing, habitat loss, and overfishing effects and changes animal habits.

www.thaotalks.com - Panama Scuba Diving Seasons and Wildlife Sightings

Conclusion: The Ultimate Diving Destination

Whether you’re exploring the breathtaking underwater world of Coiba National Park, the vibrant reefs of Bocas del Toro, or the deep waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama offers some of the best scuba diving in Central America. With its diverse marine life, stunning dive spots, and favorable weather conditions, it’s a destination that should be on every diver’s bucket list. From the beautiful coral reefs to the chance to encounter majestic species like humpback whales and whale sharks, Panama is truly a diver’s paradise waiting to be explored. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable underwater adventure!

Additional resources I trust:


Why trust me?
I traveled to Panama from August 26-30, 2024. I’ve been traveling since 2009 and visited 25 countries, mostly in Southeast Asia and tropical places for scuba diving. 

Who is this for? This comprehensive guide is specifically designed for beginner travelers and scuba divers who have yet to visit the beautiful country of Panama.