Scuba Diving in Panama
Untouched Waters, Extraordinary Diving
The Gulf of Chiriquí is one of the most biodiverse corners of the Eastern Tropical Pacific, and our archipelago sits at its heart. Upwellings draw marlin and sailfish through the deep water, white-tipped reef sharks appear on nearly every dive, and in whale season you will hear humpbacks before you see them.
With waters over 90% untouched by divers, it is very rare to see other boats. And there are more than 20 dive sites to chose from, some just minutes from the dock, from sheltered coral gardens for first dives to dramatic volcanic pinnacles and walls experienced divers cross oceans to explore. No crowds, no other boats, just us and the ocean.
Discover our Marine Safari
Islas Secas is a stepping stone on the Chiriquí Marine Biological Corridor, the “Swimway” linking coastal mangroves to the open Pacific, home to some 750 species of fish and the only waters on Earth known to host two entirely separate populations of migrating humpback whales. Our guides read the water the way rangers read the bush and know when to cut the engine and simply listen. The safari continues between dives: dolphins riding the bow, frigatebirds overhead, turtles in the shallows.
Wilder water, shaped by volcanoes
This corner of the Pacific is volcanic, with dramatic drop-offs, towering pinnacles, sheer walls and rugged underwater formations dressed in hard corals, sea fans and other gorgonians. From sheltered coral gardens for new divers to the adventure of exploring volcanic pinnacles and walls, the underwater terrain offers a different experience at every depth and for every level of diver, with access extending to the legendary waters of UNESCO-listed Coiba National Park.
PADI-certified diving, included in your stay
Certified divers receive one tank per day included in their stay, with up to three dives available daily and Scuba Pro equipment throughout. Never dived before? Our two-hour Discover Scuba experience takes complete beginners, from age 10, to their first breaths over sheltered coral gardens, minutes from the dock, with an instructor.
Planning to get certified? Let our team know before arrival. We will provide details on purchasing your PADI eLearning and linking your course to Islas Secas. The eLearning portion must be completed before your stay, allowing you to maximize your time on the island for in-water training and diving.
Guests can contribute to our citizen science initiatives by documenting marine life and supporting long-term monitoring across the archipelago. Through PADI AWARE’s Adopt the Blue™, Islas Secas is also part of the world’s largest network of underwater sites for conservation action.
Our PADI-registered Dive Center offers:
Two-hour Discover Scuba experiences
PADI Open Water Diver certification, available from age 10
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
PADI specialty courses, including Peak Performance Buoyancy and Deep Diver
Any Time, Any Season
The dry season, December through April, brings the clearest water, but every month has its own cast. In the green season, June through October, humpback whales arrive to calve; we cannot dive with them, but their song carries underwater. In the cooler upwelling of February and March, round rays, guitarfish and southern stingrays rise into the shallows.
UsefulInfo
If you can’t find the answer to your question, please get in touch via email or phone and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Get in Touch-
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One dive per day (one tank) is including within the Islas Secas archipelago for certified divers. We provide all necessary equipment. For more information, please ask our Reservations team. A full PADI certification course is also included in the price for those that wish to learn.
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Yes, it is possible to become PADI certified and this is included in the room rate. Guests must first complete their e-learning theory test before arrival, including the final exam, plus liability and medical forms. Once in resort, full training, practice and final certification takes about five days. See PADI certification FAQ for more information. Guests must be competent swimmers.
For more information on the different PADI courses available and to register, please visit https://apps.padi.com/scuba-diving/elearning/purchasecourse.aspx. -
There are over 20 dive sites around Islas Secas’ protected archipelago and into the world-famous Coiba National Park. Most sites are suited to all levels of experience.
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Divers can experience calm inshore coral reefs and deep water seamounts and pinnacles. The second-largest coral reef in the eastern tropical Pacific is a quick boat ride away around Coiba National Park, a UNESCO-designated Protected Marine Area. There are more than 750 species of marine creatures, from giant manta rays and humpback whales to reef fish.
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