Country

Diving in Panama

4 dive destinations in Panama, up to 330 km apart. Water temperature across them runs 20–29 °C. All 4 are in season in Mar–Apr and Sep–Oct. 13 named dive sites have their own pages.

Gulf of Chiriquí · photo Mónica Mora

Destinations: 4
Dive sites: 13
Water: 20–29°C
Most in season: Mar–Apr and Sep–Oct

RegionsCaribbean Eastern Pacific

Where are the dive destinations in Panama?

1PortobeloAug–Oct
2Bocas del ToroFeb–Mar
3Gulf of ChiriquíMar–Apr
4CoibaJan–Mar

Numbers match the table below. Land outline: Natural Earth (public domain).

How do they compare?

Conditions at each dive destination in Panama
#	Destination	Best months	Water	Visibility	Depth	Level	Access	Sites
1	PortobeloCaribbean reefs and a plane wreck a day trip from Panama City	Aug–Oct	27–29°C	—	to 21 m	Beginner	Day boat	2
2	Bocas del ToroPanama's cheapest place to learn to dive, with a national marine park just offshore	Feb–Mar	27–29°C	5–25 m	5–35 m	Beginnersites from beginner to advanced	Shore, Day boat	4
3	Gulf of ChiriquíHannibal Bank rises from 400 m and pulls in billfish and tuna	Mar–Apr	24–29°C	8–25 m	10–35 m	Intermediatesites from intermediate to advanced	Day boat, Liveaboard	5
4	CoibaHumpback whale song carries underwater during the mid-year migration season	Jan–Mar	20–29°C	10–25 m	6–30 m	Intermediatesites from intermediate to advanced	Day boat, Liveaboard	2

When is the best time to dive Panama?

The most destinations are rated good or prime at the same time in Mar–Apr and Sep–Oct: 4 of 4. Each row is one destination's own season rating.

Season rating by month for each dive destination in Panama
Destination	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
1Portobelo	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Prime	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Fair
2Bocas del Toro	Good	Prime	Prime	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Prime	Prime	Fair	Good
3Gulf of Chiriquí	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Good	Fair	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Fair	Good
4Coiba	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Fair	Good
Good or prime	3	3	4	4	2	2	3	3	4	4	1	3

Which destinations combine into one trip?

Destinations that fit within 200 km of each other end to end and share at least one month rated good or prime. Distances are straight lines between destinations, not travel routes.

67 km end to end

In season together: Jul–Oct and Dec–Apr