Scuba Diving in Portobelo

With this scuba diving activity in Portobelo, you will explore the tropical Atlantic seabed in Panama.

Description

When booking, you can choose between two options: with or without a diving license. Both options last 8.5-9 hours and include pickup and drop-off at the hotel, transportation by minibus and boat, an English-speaking guide, diving equipment, and lunch.

Diving with a license

Pickup is at 7:30 am from your hotel in Panama City, followed by a 1.5-hour drive to Portobelo. Upon arrival, you will dive in the Atlantic Ocean at varying depths based on your license. Expect to make 2 dives of 45-60 minutes each. If conditions permit, the first dive will be at Drake Island, featuring rich biodiversity. You may see corals, tuna, marlins, seahorses, turtles, and manta rays.

After the dives, enjoy lunch consisting of chicken or fish served with a choice of coconut rice, french fries, or patacones (fried plantains). A brief city tour will follow to visit historical forts. Return to the hotel is scheduled between 4 and 5 pm.

Diving without a license

This itinerary is similar, but dives occur near Portobelo Bay in shallow waters. Basic instructions will be provided, allowing you to dive at a depth of 10 meters under the guidance of an instructor.

Diving areas

Dive sites may include Drake Island, Buenaventura, Salmedina, El Faro, Padre Island, Tres Hermanas, Huertas, Parche Point, or El Avion, selected based on weather and visibility on the day of the activity.

Diving license requirements

Participants must possess an international Open Water Diver certificate or similar to join this dive trip.

Hotel Pickup

Pickup is available only from hotels in downtown Panama City.