Dive Review of Golden Frog SCUBA/El Bongo in
Panama/Coiba/Portobello

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Golden Frog SCUBA/El Bongo: "Off the beaten path. Panama is an interesting destination", May, 2024, by Elissa A Mayo, CA, US ( Sr. Reviewer 8 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 13247.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	I was working in Panama City and had a chance to go diving. I chose to dive the Caribbean side in Portobelo. Rey from Golden Frog SCUBA arranged to pick me up from Panama City and drove me over to Portobelo where Hotel Bongo is located. Golden Frog SCUBA is on site. Rey is super hospitable and I really enjoyed my time with him. I had to rent most of my gear. I found it to be good quality and had no issues during my dives. Payment was made through PayPal and communication was perfect. Rey is an incredible host. The room at Hotel Bongo was large and faced the sea. The bed was very, very comfortable! The restaurant was very good and I could wake up, walk a few steps to the restaurant and watch for the dive boat to pull up. In my book, it does not get better than this. Sunsets and snorkeling at the hotel were wonderful. We had some rainy days, but generally, the ocean was calm and on some days the current ran pretty stong, but made for interesting dives. Visibility varied. Panama is an incredibly diverse country. Prior to diving, I watched ships traverse the Panama Canal. In Colon, I was able to see and purchase some indigenous Mola fabrics and other beautiful keepsakes. Although the diving was just ok, I was so happy to have an opportunity to explore culturally significant places. The dive shop was outstanding as was the hotel. Snorkeling off the property was great and included a partially submurged wreck right off shore. The room was large, overlooking the water and included a refrigerator, king bed and a balcony. I hope to come back to Panama some day. Maybe to explore the Pacific side and revisit the Caribbean side.
Websites	Golden Frog SCUBA El Bongo
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Tanzania, Maldives, PNG, Raja Ampat, Lembeh Strait, Forgotten Islands, Tulamben, Banda Sea, Menjangan, Bunaken, Palau, Mahahual, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum cenotes, Puerto Vallarta, California, Florida, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Grand Cayman, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Panama, Utila
Closest Airport	Tocumen International Airport	Getting There	Los Angeles, LAX with a stopover into Tocumen International airport, Panamaa
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, rainy, cloudy, dry	Seas	calm, currents, no currents
Water Temp	84-86°F / 29-30°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	40-70 Ft/ 12-21 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Generally 45-60 minute dives. Stay with group.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	no
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish	N/A
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	There were no specific underwater photography facilities but it was relatively easy to make battery and lens changes on the boat or at the shore between dives.

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Dive Review of Golden Frog SCUBA/El Bongo in Panama/Coiba/Portobello

Golden Frog SCUBA/El Bongo: "Off the beaten path. Panama is an interesting destination", May, 2024,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Golden Frog SCUBA/El Bongo in
Panama/Coiba/Portobello