Panama Diving?

[BottomDweller]

Anyone ever do any diving, or even snorkeling, in Panama? My older brother, a non-diver (so far) and his wife won a trip to a resort in Panama. They're considering getting open water certified before going, but if they don't get that accomplished, they plan to do some snorkeling. I told him I'd ask my fellow divers for any insight.

[theskull]

PADI lists a half dozen dive shops there:

http://www.padi.com/padi/common/dcnr1/results.aspx?country=PNMA

I'd email a couple of them and ask for info.

Good luck,
theskull

[BottomDweller]

Thanks! I'll check it out.

[Seacritter]

The diving in Panama is great! I have some photos http://www.scuba-charters.com/gallery and some video on my website http://www.scuba-charters.com/videoandphotos.html. Please feel free to ask me any questions about diving in Panama. If you have a dive club or dive shop interested in diving, I would be happy to send some promotional literature and a DVD of the diving.
Capn Scott

[nauifins73]

Good Morning Capn Scott. Welcome to MWD. I have heard that Panama has some excellent diving. Going to have lots of questions I'm sure.

[Seacritter]

Panama is definitely the best kept secret in the diving industry. Though, I was at DEMA last week, and the interest was amazing. I dive the Gulf of Chiriqui which includes Coiba National Park (the newest world heritage site for diving). In the park, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is finding about 15 new fish and plant species per year. This area is pretty remote and untouched as to diving.
Capn Scott

[BottomDweller]

Thanks for the great info! I'll pass it on, and maybe one of these years I'll get down there myself.