Coiba Dive Center

COIBA DIVE CENTER is located in Santa Catalina, Panama, just a 1 hour boat ride from Coiba National Park. This area is often described by many as the "New Galapagos" and the "New Cocos." How can diving in Panama, a short plane trip from the U.S., be described as similar to two of the ultimate, but remote, destinations for divers? Well, it's part of the same underwater mountain chain and the same geographical area. The same animals you see in the Galapagos and Cocos are also found here, close by, in Panama. And, the bonus is that you'll see more coral, less boat traffic, and far fewer divers.

 When you dive with us, you will also find a unique and highly personalized dive experience. We're not fans of crowded cattle boats, so we limit the boat to a comfortable amount of divers. We'll be your personal guides and are happy to tailor your diving experience to your skill level and personal preferences.

Marine Life

 Wow, where do we start?

There are some areas best described as diving in a can of sardines. At times the fish population here is so abundant you actually have to take care that you don't bump into them. Of course, they are doing the same, kind of a more pleasant rush hour without the swearing and hand gestures. You'll see hundreds of tropical ornamental fish species here along with colorful hard and soft corals.

Often on the edge of deep waters, you'll find the big guys. The head honchos of the sea: White Tip Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales, Huge Yellow Fin Tuna, Bull Sharks, Enormous Marlin and Sailfish, Giant Turtles, Tiger Sharks, Pilot Whales, Oceanic White Tip Sharks, Giant Mantas, and everything in between. When we see an abundance of cleaner fish, it's almost a guarantee that something big will appear.

Special Guest Stars

There are certain seasons that bring in our "Special Guests". From June to October, the Humpback Whales calve their young here and it would be unusual not to see one breaching the surface somewhere. From December to April, the Whale Sharks are here. January through April, the Mobula Manta´s school in the hundreds and often you can see them flying up to three meters out of the sea.

Over the past two years the whale sharks have seemed to like to spend Christmas and New Years in and around Coiba National Park.

What's New @ CDC?

July 2010

 Three day trip availability

Whale Sharks!! Numerous sightings this past season in December, January, February & March.

We broke the whale shark streak with Giant Mantas feeding.

 Not to be out-done the mobula mantas showed up by the hundreds.

• Coiba Dive Center joins Facebook and Twitter.  
• Three whale sharks sightings in June.
• Four turtles on one dive!!!!! 
• The International Surf Association announced Santa Catalina as the location for the Masters World Championship Surf Competition. August 29 - September 5th. 
• Tons of white tip sharks in Coiba!!!!!!
• Weather has been great. Early morning and late afternoon rains to cool things off. 
• Make your reservations for July, August & September now. Spaces are starting to fill up quickly.
• See what Coiba has to offer. 
• Book a three day trip.