Want to dive where the oceans meet?......COME to PANAMA!
Whether is snorkeling or tank diving you prefer, the diving enthusiast is bound to find his appeal. Panama offers divers the lively and colorful clarity of Caribbean style Atlantic, the vast and mysterious Pacific Ocean full of large marine species, and the jungle encircled Gatun Lake, bed of the Panama Canal.
The isthmus of Panama, running on an east-west axis, finds the Atlantic Ocean on its northern shores. Starting from the west, the first dive site is Bocas del Toro. The scuba diving in and around Bocas can be enjoyed throughout the year, with most of the dive spots no more than one hour boat ride from Bocas town. The water temperatures is very tropical and constant, so full or even short wet suits are not required. Water visibility varies from one dive spot to another, and is always dependent on weather conditions. The months of September and October are traditionally the better months, due primarily to more suitable climatic conditions. During this period there is less rain and wind, allowing for clearer water conditions.
There are several dive spots that dive operators frequent, some of which we'll list below.
Tiger Rock
This is perhaps the furthest dive spot from Bocas down, with the boat ride lasting approximately one hour. It lies just off the mainland (Cusapín - see map), to the right of Zapatilla Cays. There is a large rock formation that stands above the surface, and descends well below 100 ft. Your dive will begin with a descent to approximately 35 ft., where there is a sandy shelf, littered with stones and coral. From here you'll head north and to the right, around the rock, descending as you do to between 80 -100 ft. The rock wall itself has a steep slope, and you can cruise alongside the rock at whatever level you feel most comfortable. The rock is covered with plentiful amounts of soft and hard coral, and has numerous small crevices or caverns. One can expect to see moray eels, bristle tree worms, anemones, sponges, and small schools of groupers, etc. There is not much in the way of large pelagic sea life here, so concentrate on the wall. Once circling the rock and reaching the far side, you'll return back around the rock at a shallower depth, perhaps 50 - 60 ft. en route to the anchor. Depending on your air consumption, extra time can be spend near the anchor, looking through the crevices and coral formations that litter the floor and make up the rock wall. The dive lasts approximately 45 minutes for most.Coral Cay
This dive sit is situated just off the southeast portion of Isla Bastimentos, near the famous Coral Cay restaurant; perhaps 30 minutes from Bocas town. It's a shallow water dive, perhaps 20 - 35 ft., over an enormous garden of soft and hard coral, separated by sandy bottom. It's much like a drift dive, in that the pick up point is far from where you enter the water. Your dive will last upwards of one hour and will be spend gliding along the coral formations. This dive is wonderful for those interested in macro photograph, as there is plenty of bristle tree worms, crabs, anemones, and Christmas tree worms. There is not much here in the way of large pelagic fish.Hospital Point
This dive spot is located just at the tip of Isla Solarte, only 5 minutes by boat from Bocas town. Frequented by snorkelers for its shallow reefs, the rocky point descends along a subtle slope to approximately 40ft, where it reaches the maritime channel. Along the slope you can find lobsters, moray eels, squid, and various species of soft and hard coral. Nurse sharks have been seen here, as have puffer fish, groupers and other colorful fish species.
From Bocas, moving due East, the next dive-accessible area is Portobelo, the point from where all gold from South America left for Spain. Along the main road, just before entering town, you'll find several dive operators that service the local waters. Common dive sites include "Buena Ventura Island" for shallow and deep diving, with an intriguing drop-off. Or, if your interest is in looking for pirates history, then "Drake's Island" is your site. Said to be where Sir Francis Drake was set to rest, divers still look for Drake's coffin among the encrusted coral. A short boat ride can take you to "Salmedina Reef", a semi-submerged reef that has taken its share of wooden vessels. Not far lies "Three Sisters" islands, with varied underwater terrain, sea flora and fauna. Moving further East, we find "Isla Grande" a small, typical Antillean community popular with surfers, snorkelers, divers and sunbathers alike. Several guest houses and hotels line the shoreline can attend to your rooming needs. On its western end, a unique labyrinth of canyons offer a beautiful dive.
Continuing East, we come to the famous San Blas Islands, also known as Comarca Kuna Yala - "365 of them, one for each day of the year" say the Kuna Indians that inhabit these white sanded specs on the northeastern shores of Panama. While it's entirely possible to reach areas of San Blas by land, most who visit San Blas travel by plane, departing from Panama City. With daily, early morning departures, virtually the entire Comarca is accessible, as there are a countless number of airstrips that dot the coastline that stretches hundreds of miles to the Colombian border. Porvenir, the most frequently visited community, serves as the gateway to San Blas. There, and elsewhere though out the Comarca, small thatch roof, Kuna Style bungalows can be found at reasonable prices. In addition, a limited number of more upscale resorts offering more modern amenities can be found on the outerlying islands. Friendly, hospitable, unspoiled and clean define San Blas, which are ideal for snorkelers thanks to the vast area that these 365 islands encompass. SCUBA-diving is not permitted on these islands, only snorkeling. Don't miss it.
Now, moving to the southern shores of Panama, we find the Pacific Ocean, with deep water, big fish and rocky formations - a real difference from the shallow depths, small colorful fish and myriad of prolific coral of the Atlantic. There are four primary areas divers find of interest; Darien coast, Pearl Islands (Las Perlas), Azuero peninsula, and Coiba area.
The Coast of Darien, realm of the Black Marlin, huge Amberjacks and "Dog-Toothed" Snapper, is a spear fishermans paradise. You can reach the area by either flying into the town of Jaque, or by private boat. It has been known of economy conscious divers loading a zodiac with a small engine onto one of the cargo boats and go there for four or five days. Although no formal dive operation exists, some outfitters will gladly customize a tour for your group and guide you through the area. Be prepared to see blue and deep waters, with large inquisitive fish coming at you as if you were just driftwood.
The Pearl Islands (Las Perlas) has it all. From shallows to deep water, from coral heads to rocky drop-offs, from the tiny sea wrasses to the four-hundred pounders Jew Fish (large sea bass). Underwater photography and spear fishing is a must in the waters surrounding the island of "Contadora", which happens to be the island selected by the late Shah of Iran for his retirement. The island boasts several upscale hotels, as well as numerous less expensive "cabana" style hotels. Marine sports are available for the non-diver, i.e. kayak and jet ski rentals.
The Azuero Peninsula, situated on Panama's pacific coast, has various luring dive areas including Isla Iguana, Punta Mala, Cambutal, Santa Catalina, Los Frailes and Isla Cebaco. The underwater terrain and sea life is somewhat similar to the other areas in the Pacific, with current diving, wreck dives and underwater seamounts nearby. The best time of diving is between April and December, however, diving can be enjoyed year round; water conditions between January and March are less predictable and are more day to day as a result of upwelling currents coming from the south. Whale watching (Humpbacks) is best done between July and September as the whales migrate from South America to the warmer waters of the Caribbean. Whale sharks and pods of Orcas, while not common occurrences, can be seen at certain times of the year further out. As well, sea turtles are present year round and are very common between the months of September and October when they arrive in larger numbers to lay their eggs. Dive shops in the area can take you any of the dive spots.
Coiba Island, resting just off the Azuero Peninsula, is Panama's largest island, and perhaps, best dive spot. Being a one time penal colony, its shores and waters remained virgin to fishermen, boaters and divers alike. Only recently has Coiba Island received the recognition it deserves as a world class dive location. Diving Coiba Island can be enjoyed either from a liveaboard or land based operation, the latter usually offering group trips on specified dates. Travel to and from the island, as well as basic accommodation and meals are coordinated and provided for by the dive operator. Above the water Coiba Island's unspoiled, lush, verdant rainforest is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species. As well, the island boasts several beautiful white sand beaches, ideal for snorkeling. Below, one can expect strong currents, moray eels, large pelagic and dramatic rock formations.
For the traveling diver, or the tourist that
also dives, Panama offers all of the above.