17 December 2023
Whale Sharks: The Ultimate Experience of Scuba Diving with Sharks
Coiba Island is a corner stone of the Tropical East Pacific Corridor — and one of the places where whale shark encounters are still possible.
read the storySanta Catalina · Panama · since 2003
Diving Coiba National Park
Think of the amount of fish you have seen elsewhere and double it. The first dive center in Santa Catalina, serving divers looking for world class diving in Coiba.
2003
First dive center in Santa Catalina
38
Islands in Coiba National Park
5★
Licensed PADI Dive Resort
3
Dives per day on multi-day trips
What we do
From first trial dives through to professional level dive certification, we're here to help you level up in one of the world's richest underwater environments.
01
Diving Trips & Tours
For divers who want to explore a variety of Coiba — the best scuba diving sites of Panama and explore something new.
learn more
02
Dive & Hotel Packages
Enjoy your time in between scuba diving Coiba, on Panama's pacific coast in laid back Santa Catalina.
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03
Discover Scuba & PADI Courses
Give scuba a try or get qualified in one of the world's richest underwater environments.
learn moreCoiba National Park
Scuba dive Panama? This was the main question asked while attending international dive fairs. Completely unknown to the general public — and therefore pristine — diving in Panama has a lot to offer for the curious and seasoned dive traveller looking for something new and untouched.
Coiba is the northern column of the huge Eastern Pacific Marine Corridor, which is formed also by the far better known Galapagos, Cocos, Malpelo and Gorgona. The park has the largest coral reef in the tropical Eastern Pacific, and 38 islands with white sand beaches, tropical forests and, of course, a lot of life underwater.
The dive spots take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes to reach by boat from Santa Catalina, the only mainland port to access the sites within a day trip.
On our multi-day trips for experienced divers we stay either on private Simca Island, 10 to 30 minutes from many dive sites, or at a hostal up the coast in the fishing village of Pixvae. From both places the spectacular northern Contreras islands are only 20 to 40 minutes away — no live-aboard needed to explore the best scuba diving in Panama.
see dive tripsGet scuba certified
Scuba Coiba is a licensed PADI 5 Star Resort led by a team of Master Scuba Diver Trainers.
Meet the team
A team of Master Scuba Diver Trainers who have been diving these islands for decades.
Herbie Sunk
Founder & PADI Master Diver Trainer
German, English, Spanish
Diving Coiba since 2002
Corey Coates
PADI Master Diver Trainer
English, Spanish
Diving Coiba since 2014
Cynthia Campbell
PADI Master Diver Trainer
French, English, Spanish
Diving Coiba since 2017
Ben Harris
PADI Master Diver Trainer
English, Spanish
Diving Coiba since 2010
Hotel & dive packages
Scuba Coiba offers package deals with handpicked hotels of our trust in Santa Catalina — a laid-back fishing village famous for its surf breaks and the best jumping-off point for Coiba National Park.
from $590.00
Hotel Bambuda Santa Catalina
Off the road to Estero beach, in front of the surf break and a short walk from the dive shop. Pool, WiFi, a/c, private hot water bathroom and terrace — from couple rooms to family rooms and suites.
3 nights incl. breakfast & 2 diving days with 3 dives each (Nitrox if certified) in Coiba.
extension night + dive day: $265.00
package details
from $590.00
Hotel & Restaurant Sol y Mar
On a hilltop at the beginning of the village with a wide ocean view, restaurant, pool and activities. WiFi, a/c, private hot water bathroom and private terrace.
3 nights incl. breakfast & 2 diving days with 3 dives each (Nitrox if certified) in Coiba.
extension night + dive day: $265.00
package details
from $650.00
Hotel Santa Catalina & Restaurant Pecao
On the road to Estero beach, right in front of “The Point”, Santa Catalina's famous surf break. Restaurant, pool, activities, WiFi, a/c and terrace.
3 nights incl. breakfast & 2 diving days with 3 dives each (Nitrox if certified) in Coiba.
extension night + dive day: $285.00
package details
from $590.00
Tiki Lodge
In the town center — no transport needed. Designed with natural materials, private queen rooms around a small pool, bar and restaurant. Perfect for couples.
3 nights incl. breakfast & 2 diving days with 3 dives each (Nitrox if certified) in Coiba.
extension night + dive day: $265.00
package details- * Prices are based on the lowest available rates and may change for weekends, holidays and between high and low season.
- * All prices are based on double occupancy per room and 2 divers joining the trips. Single and group options on request.
- * Prices include breakfast and 10% tourist tax. They do not include 7% VAT or the Coiba National Park entry fee ($20.00 per person and day, $5.00 for residents).
- * Prices include 3 guided dives per day, tanks (Nitrox if certified), weight, gear, drinking water, snacks and a light cold lunch.
From the dive log
Stories, marine life guides and news from Coiba National Park.
14 November 2023
Sharks of Coiba
Coiba National Park is part of the Tropical East Pacific Corridor — also known as the shark triangle. Here is what you can expect to meet.
read the story
14 November 2023
Whitetip reef shark
A sleek and agile swimmer that graces the coral reefs of Coiba National Park — and the shark you are most likely to dive with here.
read the story
11 April 2023
Coiba's Hammerhead Shark Season
Ready to dive into the adventure of a lifetime? Our multi-day diving trips in Coiba National Park run right through hammerhead season.
read the story
7 November 2022
20 Years of the Original Dive Center of Coiba, 2003 – 2023
Scuba Coiba was founded in 2003 by Austrian dive instructor Herbie Sunk in the small fishing village of Santa Catalina.
read the story
14 June 2021
Panama protects 68,000 km² of the Coiba Cordillera
A 2021 decree connected the Coiba Cordillera to the protected areas of Malpelo in Colombia, expanding one of the richest marine corridors on earth.
read the storyBeneath the surface
Good to know
Everything you need before your first day on the boat.
Do I need to be a certified diver?
No. Discover Scuba Dives are made for beginners — you learn essential skills in shallow water from a beach before a trial dive, followed by a real fun dive of 40 to 45 minutes to a maximum of 12 meters.
How long does it take to reach the dive sites?
The dive sites take 60 to 90 minutes to reach by boat from Santa Catalina, the only mainland port with day-trip access to Coiba National Park.
What does a Coiba day trip include?
A full day from approximately 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, two dives, lunch, seasonal fruit, snacks and water. The Coiba National Park entrance fee is $20.00 for foreigners and $5.00 for residents.
When can I see whales?
Humpback whales and rare killer whales pass through Coiba between July and September. Whitetip reef sharks, schooling jacks and pelagics are seen year-round.
Customer reviews
What divers say after a day on the boat with Scuba Coiba.
“Think of the amount of fish you have seen elsewhere and double it — think of the size of the fish you have seen and double it as well… that sums up the promise of diving Coiba.”
Diver Magazine
Dive press
“Two dives in Coiba with Scuba Coiba and we saw whitetip reef sharks, huge schools of jacks and a turtle. The crew is professional, the boat is well kept and the briefings are clear.”
Marie L.
TripAdvisor review
“Did my Open Water here and could not have picked a better place. Patient instructors, small groups and the reefs are absolutely alive. Lunch on a deserted beach was the cherry on top.”
Tom R.
TripAdvisor review
“The multi-day trip from Simca Island is the real deal — three dives a day, barely another boat in sight and pelagics on almost every site. Herbie and the team know these islands inside out.”
Andreas K.
TripAdvisor review
Ready to dive Coiba National Park?
Day trips, multi-day trips for experienced divers, and PADI courses — leaving daily from Santa Catalina.
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