Panama Diving?

[Da real diver]

I'd like to take a trip to Panama but if I go I would like to do some diving. I was thinking about a place called Playa Bonita which is on the West Coast. Has anyone ever dove in this area or better yet can anybody recommend a place to dive in Panama and maybe some resorts? Thanks

 

[flyboy08]

We dove on Contradora...took the boat over. Neat little island with some interesting restaurants....the first two survivor years were filmed on the island...but do visit the canal and east side while there.

Enjoy,

 

[MrBigfins]

If diving on the west side, Coiba seems to be the best by far. A little easier logistically is Potabello, strongly recommend Rey from Golden Frog scuba.

 

[MrBigfins]

Resorts are mostly limited to the Boca area, from what I've heard the diving isn't near as good as it once was. We stayed at the Radisson Panama canal, it was nice and reasonable, close to the city but far enough out. Be careful driving, that place is insane on the roads. Monkey island tour with Jungle island was pretty cool, especially the stop at the ecolodge in the rainforest. The sloth sanctuary in gamboa was cool. El Valle was a nice drive and afternoon. A trip to San Blas was quite an adventure, rolling mountains in the rain forest, to deserted islands in the carribean. Casa Viejo was an amazing part of the city with shops and restaurants, a must see.

 

[scubadada]

I had a business trip to Panama City. I did two days, 4 dives with Scubapanama, included transportation. I did 1 dive on the Pacific side, it was terrible, short, poor vis, little life. I did 3 dives on the Caribbean side out of Portobello. The Airplane was a waste of time. Two reef sites, PatchBoy and Buena Ventura were better, pretty good distribution of usual reef fish.

I would not dive from Panama City on purpose, but, if there on business, there is some OK divng to be had in Portobello.