Panama Photography scuba travel

Diving Bocas del Toro, Panama

Street view of Bocas Diving Pirates in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Street view of Bocas Diving Pirates in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

One of our goals in visiting Bocas del Toro was to check out the diving here. It had been several months since we had been diving so we were very much looking forward to the outing. There are not a ton of dive shops in Bocas, but as we walked around town sticking our heads in the door and asking a few questions at different shops it was quickly obvious who we would be diving with. The young lady who greeted us at the door of Bocas Diving Pirates was knowledgable, enthusiastic, and honest about what to expect when diving here at this time of year. When we returned on the day we booked we met the owner, Andre Roy, who also was our dive master for both our days of diving with them. His enthusiasm and gregarious personality is what one would expect from someone who gets to do this for a living.

View from the dock at Bocas Diving Pirates.
View from the dock at Bocas Diving Pirates.

During our two days of diving we were treated to an overcast dreary day and a beautiful sunny day. The thing that struck me was the enthusiasm for us to have great dives no matter what the weather was. The visibility was quite limited on the first day but Andre had the boat Captain take us to spots where we could still enjoy the dive despite the visibility.

A little murky, maximum visibility was about 8 metres (25ft).
A little murky, maximum visibility was about 8 metres (25ft).
Andre posing to give an idea of the size of the barrel sponges.
Andre posing to give an idea of the size of the barrel sponges.

One of the wonderful things about diving here is the diversity and colour of the coral along the bottom. We never went deep, as the visibility made it so there was nothing to see, but at 8 – 12 metres it was awesome. Our group consisted of Karen, Andre, and myself, so we were able to drift slowly along and take the time to enjoy the beauty that truly surrounded us.

An incredible variety and range in colour of coral.
An incredible variety and range in colour of coral.
Peaceful beauty while hanging out in the shallows.
Peaceful beauty while hanging out in the shallows.
Lots of reef fish around the coral. Something to see everywhere you looked.
Lots of reef fish around the coral. Something to see everywhere you looked.

Our second day of diving is what people think of when they think of diving. The sun was shining, visibility was better and the sights endless. We did a nice relaxed drift dive then headed over to check out an old sunken barge. Not the most exciting wreck, but the coral and fish were fantastic.

Starfish were everywhere in the shallower water near the Ferry Wreck dive site.
Starfish were everywhere in the shallower water near the Ferry Wreck dive site.
"If I don't move no one will see me"
“If I don’t move no one will see me”

I was able to put together a short video of our second day of diving, I hope you enjoy it.

I would recommend making the effort to check out diving in Bocas del Toro if that is something you are in to. Warm water and good people help to make it a great experience.

Karen getting ready to come aboard.
Karen getting ready to come aboard.
End of a fantastic day of diving.
End of a fantastic day of diving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to our travel blog. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to say, "I'm out of here?" Well we did, and in 2013 we made it a reality. We sold or gave away all of our possessions other than what fit in our luggage and we set off on an endless adventure. Part of our goal is to share our experiences with others and hopefully provide some information, motivation, or just a moments escape. The general idea was to look for a place that would be ideal to settle down in. However in the meantime it is about experiencing life in different countries amongst different cultures and learning how to understand and appreciate each other. A large part of our time is spent housesitting which provides an excellent opportunity to experience more of the "normal" neighbourhoods as opposed to the tourist locales. Though we make sure to enjoy those as well. So through plenty of photographs and a running commentary come and share with us our life on the road.

5 comments on “Diving Bocas del Toro, Panama

  1. Thank you for another beautiful dive! Well done. Gorgeous coral. What a spectacular world the ocean is.

  2. My pleasure. It is indeed an amazing world under the water.

  3. Lawrence Shaw

    Great shots, especially enjoyed your video, more please. I started the New Year by breaking my right leg, been off since Jan. 1st, getting real boring, won’t be back until the end of February.

  4. Lawrence Shaw

    I think you guys have to eat more lol you’re getting too thin. Just had my first cast removed still can’t walk though. Wish I was down there
    So does Judith making her crazy!
    Lawrence

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