We guarantee that anyone doing a three-tank dive in one day will see sharks or you will be refunded the entire cost of your trip, minus the $20 park entrance fee.

For all trips guests will need to arrive at the dive center at 8 AM to check in, pay balances, get fitted for rental gear as well as hear our pre-dive briefing. The boat leaves Santa Catalina at 8:30 AM and usually returns by 4:00 to 5:00pm.

No. You must pay the full amount before departing for your trip.

Yes, if you are diving with us you will need to bring your proof of certification with you. We are not one of those shops that will not ask you.

• Your certification card if you are planning to dive.
• Plenty of water resistant sunscreen so as to not go home too fried!
• Digital camera batteries are only found in Panama City, so bring what you need.
• There is no pharmacy in Santa Catalina, so any other supplies that you may require.
• Your sense of humor and sense of adventure!
  

Most of the areas that we dive, including Coiba, are either World Heritage Sites and/or national parks. There are specific rules that must always be adhered to under the guidance and auspices of the National Park regulations. You may not touch animals or remove fauna, flora or marine plants. Even taking dead coral is heavily frowned upon. We take great pride in our backyard and are not the type of dive operator to turn a blind eye. We will go over all the park rules with you during your pre-trip briefing.

If you are a tourist and have a medical emergency, Panama gives you free insurance for 30 days. See www.visitpanama.com for details.

Due to Santa Catalina’s location on the Pacific, we experience a tropical climate year round: temperatures hover between 30 and 34 degrees Celsius (90 to 100 degrees Farenheit) during the day and drop into the 20’s (70’s F) at night.

There is no gas station in Santa Catalina. Fill up in Santiago or Soná to avoid any issues.

There are two public phone booths in the village; telephone cards (for local or international calls) can usually be found at one of the two nearby stores.  If you have a laptop wi-fi is available just outside of the village at the internet cafe. They also have computers for use. Cellular service is available.

We have two small food stores here which carry basic staples. It is always a good idea to purchase whatever you need in Santiago, however.

There are several restaurants in the village offering a variety of culinary options, including traditional Panamanian food, fresh seafood, vegetarian options, Italian and more.

Santa Catalina has several great places to stop in for a drink. These range from restaurants with full bars, to smaller bars with a laid back atmosphere, to the local ¨cantinas,¨ which consist of a blasting jukebox and cheap beer.“The Dive Stop” is located next to the dive center and offers good drinks and great food.

Santa Catalina is the least buggy tropical place we have been so far, but it is always a good idea to bring bug spray.