Diving in Panama is one of the best in the Americas with famous diving spots such as Coiba National Park on the Pacific side and Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean side. The most famous dive sites include Punta Faro and Sueño del Pescador in Coiba. Panama is an excellent destination for scuba divers who love shark diving. A little less known, you can also give a try at diving in Portobelo on the Caribbean side or Taboguilla Island near Panama City on the Pacific side.
The marine life in Panama is mostly about whale sharks, mobula rays, eagle rays, turtles, hammerhead sharks, and white-tip sharks. It’s the right place to go for both beginners and experienced divers. Due to the water temperatures, regarding scuba gear, it is most common to scuba dive there in a 5 mm wetsuit on the Pacific side, while a 3mm shorty is enough on the Caribbean side. The best time of the year is from January to April, but Bocas del Toro best season is in October. The best dive sites can be reached by boat.
Below you will find all my best scuba diving stories from diving in Panama. I share my top tips on how to organise your trip, my favourite dives, what is the best itinerary or how to do it without breaking the bank. From a travel budget point of view, Panama is a mid-range budget destination, so you may need to save up but not as much as you think.
