Scuba diving excursions in Bocas del Toro

Scuba diving conditions in Bocas del Toro

The Bocas del Toro reefs have some of the best preserved hard (Scleractinia) and soft (Alcyonacea) corals in the world. This is mainly due to 2 reasons:

• its isolation from large cities and river mouths
• its location outside the hurricane zone

Here you can find 95% of the coral species found in the Caribbean Sea, with many unique and endemic species to the region.

The waters are inhabited by a wonderful variety of tropical reef creatures including sleeper sharks, stingrays and many species of crabs and lobsters.

When you dive in Bocas del Toro, in addition to all these multicolored coral species, you may spot spotted knights, snappers, sea rats (also called monstrous chimera or Chimaera monstrosa), seahorses, moray eels, sea turtles, rays, asconoid sponges, starfish, lobsters …

In Bocas del Toro, diving is all year round!

The diving conditions are excellent all year round, especially for learning. The best times for diving are February, March, May, September and October. During these months the sea is flatter and the conditions allow access to more distant dive sites.

Visibility is best during the Caribbean dry season: February to April, September and October.

In addition, Panama is renowned for its environmental protection programs. The seabed is protected there, and therefore offers an incredible primitive dive.

Prices for Scuba Diving in Bocas del Toro

The prices for diving in Panama vary according to the region or the island, but especially the type of dive. Bocas del Toro is one of the cheapest places in the world for diving.

If you are already certified to dive or are looking for a scuba diving course, you will find the best prices in Central America here.

Here is an overview of the average dive price for Panama:

A snorkeling excursion: +/-  80$

Discovery dive: +/- 140$

2 Dives: +/- 150$

Open Water price: +/- 410$

Padi Open Water Advanced price: +/- 410$

Rescue Diver price: +/- 660$

Divemaster: +/- 1400$ + certain fees

We recommend that you don’t just look for the lowest price, but rather choose your dive center where you feel best. Sometimes it makes sense to pay a little more and be in better conditions!

Book your stay in our Eco Luxury Lodge

Nestled in the heart of wild nature, Central Hotel Bocas del Toro is the perfect starting point for diving excursions in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Discover all our accommodations.