MAGIC!
PANAMA
September 19 - 26, 2026
“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
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Coiba Marine Park is a marine reserve located off of Panama’s Pacific coast. Once a penal colony, access to the island was historically limited, allowing much of the area’s natural resources to survive untouched. Today, the marine park boasts some of the greatest biological diversity in the world.
Coiba is a world-class diving destination, offering access to Bahia Damas Reef, the largest reef on the western coastline of the American continent. This hidden gem of the Tropical East Pacific Shark Triangle offers awe-inspiring marine life similar to the Galapagos, Malpelo, or Cocos, but with fewer divers, more comfort, and unparalleled access from land, many dive sites less than 30 minutes off shore.
Imagine surfacing after an exhilarating dive with giant schools of horse-eyed jacks or barracuda, only to be surrounded by the serene beauty of Coiba’s untouched waters and uninhabited islands. Each day offers a new thrill in September. The nutrient rich waters sacrifice some visibility for biodiversity. Experience the magic of pristine, less-traveled dive sites where nature, Eastern and Westerns Pacific currents come together in perfect harmony. We are unlikely to see any other divers on our sites.
We can expect to see bull sharks, white tips, giant trevalleys, turtles, jacks and maybe whale sharks, hammerheads, black tips, mobula rays or mantas! I am told there will be whales everywhere to see from the boat and if we are lucky, underwater as well!
This spectacular adventure will take us from our arrival at Panama City to Santa Catalina, by private road transportation, where will stay at the Bambuda Hotel for our first night.
We board a boat there and dive our way to Simca Island and the Coiba Marine Preserve. Simca is a private island where we will be staying at the Liquid Jungle Lab, a basic and comfortable retreat, with our own private chef!
Liquid Jungle Lab Gallery
The Liquid Jungle Lab is situated on Isla Canales de Tierra off the Pacific West coast of Panama. Also known as Simca, the island is covered with thick lush rainforest. Habitat to howler monkeys, anteaters, white-tailed deer, armadillos and toucans to name just a few. It is a converted science research center and will be our home on beautiful Simca island for 4 nights.
We will be diving with Scuba Coiba, the original dive shop in Santa Catalina since 2003, with expert crew who will help us select from the 40 dive sites, depending on weather, currents, abilities and requests. Sharks are guaranteed. We begin diving shortly after the new moon, during the rainy season; the best time for maximum visibility, calm waters and decreasing currents.
After our final morning of diving, we return to Santa Catalina on the 24th, and stay at the Bambuda Hotel. We head north on the 25th and spend our last night in Panama City before our departure home on September 26th.
GOOD TO KNOW
TRIP INCLUDES:
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DiverMojo concierge trip leadership
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Donation to the DiverMojo Foundation
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Shared accommodation
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All transportion in Panama
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All meals
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15 dives
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80cf tanks, weights
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Dive guides (approx.1-6 divers)
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Marine park fees
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All taxes
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Wi-Fi
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Land tour
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
PLEASE REMEMBER:
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 will save your place.
Hotel upgrades and single supplement available on request.
Maximum number of travelers 14.
Cancellation for any personal reason must be covered by your private trip/travel insurance.
Here’s to forever blowing bubbles,
-Merlin
DIVING CONDITIONS
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Temperature 28 C or 82 F
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Sea state calm to moderat chop
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Currents calm to medium
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Dive sites: 10- 45 minutes
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Dive depths- 15 – 30 meters or 45 – 100’
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Dive certification required : AOW with 50 dives or equivalent experience
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Visibility 10-20 meters or 30-60'
WEATHER
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Rainy Season – Expect showers mostly afternoon and evening.
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Temperatures - 25-29 C or 75-85 F