Dive Review of
Panama Divers in
Panama/Portobelo

Honduras, Costa Rica, Belize, Jamaica,
Colombia,Bonaire,Saba,Fiji,Vanuatu,Australia,Truk,Guam,Philippines,Tanzania
,Zambia,Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta

Dive Conditions

We dove in two groups of five divers, with an Instructor in charge of one
group; a Divemaster in Training looking after the other.Within each group
we were paired off with a specific buddy.Each group dived the same profile.  

There was one camera (digital)among the group. At one time I thought of
bringing my Nikonos setup and was offered a fresh water tank on board. In
the end I decided against the camera - simply because of baggage
considerations on the flights to and from Bogota. The dive boat, about 25ft
fibreglass was not set up for photographers but one could have made out if
necessary.   

Overall Rating

The operation was friendly and well managed. I was picked up at my hotel
and dropped back there at the end of the dive. The drive to the site took
about an hour, from Panama City to Colon and then to Portobelo on the
Caribbean side. I had most of my own gear but you could rent very good
quality gear for $US25 for the two dive trip. The boat was excellent for
the purpose - with a small cover just aft of forward for the driver and
twin 140HP outboards. The water operation was managed very professionally,
all the crew helping with gear putting on and removal. The boat driver was
competent, friendly and helpful. Most of the crew spoke English and Spanish
as well. A great lunch and lots of water/sodas provide for lunch as we took
our surface interval between dives. I was in Panama anyway and this was a
pleasant way to pass a day. One of the dives was on a ditched aircraft at
about 60 ft, a twin Beech which was apparently running drugs. There were
some nice canyons nearby. A pleasant day's outing with a friendly,
enthusiastic,crew and group of tourists like myself. I would go again if I
were in Panama.   

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