Remote and
Pristine Wilderness
Scuba Diving
in Panama
Selva Terra has its own dive center with all equipment provided and professional dive instructors that will guide you through Panama’s underwater world. We can take you to explore the one of the largest coral reefs in the Pacific, as well as multiple fish species, turtles, eagle and manta rays, dolphins, numerous species of sharks, and more.
Scuba
Diving Season
Join us during the months of December through April, for the best scuba diving season in Panama. This is when nutrient rich water rises to the surface which attracts an abundance of species, and visibility is at its best.
If you choose to visit us between April and November, you can still dive but you can expect frequent rains which may affect visibility. Between July and September you will have the chance to witness the humpback whale migration from the surface.
Here is some of the marine life you can expect to see during dive season in Panama:
Very likely to see: Sea Turtles, Moray Eels, Boxfish, Pufferfish, Parrotfish, Butterflyfish, Surgeonfish, Damselfish, Sergeant Major, Needlefish
Likely to see: White tip sharks, Dolphins, Barracuda, Eagle Spotted Rays, Lobster, Amberjacks, Crabs, Grouper, Snapper, Wahoo, Spanish Mackerel
Lucky to see: Whale sharks, Hammerhead sharks, Mobula Ray, Sting Ray, Mahi-Mahi
Learn to
Scuba Dive in Panama
Are you curious about scuba diving, but are not sure if you would like it? Selva Terra has a registered NAUI dive center on site and a team of dive instructors that will guide you through the theory and practicalities of diving. NAUI has a special program called “Passport Diver” which allows you to try diving without having to commit to getting fully certified.
All Diver certification courses have a basic swim test that students must pass to get certified. Certain medical conditions such as asthma or other disorders may disqualify you from diving. If you have any questions or concerns please contact a medical professional.
getting certified for scuba diving in panama
Our diving center certifies all level of divers up to instructors. To get your scuba diving certification you must plan a longer stay at our resort in Panama. Classes duration varies from 3-7 days, depending on your course. Students will learn theory in class, while practice is done in confined waters. It is important to note that you cannot get on an airplane 24 hours after diving.
Shortly after making a reservation with us, we will send you a e-learning code so that you can get started on the required reading and chapter reviews before arriving. E-learning which is available at no extra cost for the most classes allows students to complete most academics on-line, including the final exam before arrival.
With dive spots 45 minutes from our resort, students will be introduced to a fabulous underwater dive site filled with tropical fish, colorful soft corals, and crystal clear water.
Types of Certification
This diving course consists of:
- Knowledge development sessions and classroom work including quizzes and a Final Exam. Most of this work can be completed online before your arrival.
- Confined Water Dives – Underwater skill practice in shallow water (Ocean or Pool sessions).
- Open Water Dives – Skill performance in the open ocean (max depth 18m/60 ft)
- You may schedule your course to complete over four days with the normal number of dives with extra days to practice your new skills under the supervision.
This is a continuing education course for certified divers. It is an enjoyable program of continued education designed to introduce divers to a variety of diving activities and to be taught entirely in an open water setting. Minimum age is 15 years, 12-14 years old for Junior certification. Courses can be tailored to fit your own schedule.
- Estimated 6 hours of academics and 6 open water dives.
- Course is different than many other courses offered at this level as we are aiming to improve your dive skills and make you a better diver.
- The course will have a minimum of 6 dives and takes at least 2 days to complete.
Training divers in the knowledge and skills needed to manage risks and effectively handle in water problems and diving emergencies.
- Must be certified as a Scuba Diver and have certification in First Aid and CPR.
- If First AID and CPR certification is not held, it can be added to the course by your instructor.
- We suggest scheduling a minimum of 2 days to complete the course and 3 days if first aid and CPR is needed.
A continuing education course required for entry into leadership and Technical programs. It is also the most informative and challenging course there is for recreational diving.
- Minimum age is 15 years. Must be Advanced Certified or equivalent.
- Estimated 23 hours of academic instruction with a minimum of 10 open water dives.
- We suggest at least 6 days to complete this course, you will also need to complete some self study before arriving.
Scuba diving spots
Located on a chain of sixteen volcanic islands 18 miles from the Lodge and features excellent diving with clear waters and a variety of marine life.
One of the most pristine places to go scuba diving in Panama is Isla Secas. This destination is part of a national marine park which has kept the area underdeveloped. Unlike other countries, don’t expect to find lots of tourists competing to go to the same sites. Most likely it will just be your boat diving on the site.
Isla Contreras, is part of the Coiba Marine park. The Island is located 70 minutes from to the resort and is a must dive location for the more intermediate to advanced divers.
While diving Contreras it is possible to see black coral, sponges, and sea fans. You may see massive schools of jacks and snapper, lobsters, moray eels, starfish, seahorses, pipefish, harlequin shrimp, and frog fish. Reef sharks such as nurse, white-tip and black-tip swim in these waters and in season hammerhead sharks and giant manta rays frequent these waters.
Coiba Marine Park is the considered the best panama dive sport for big marine animals and it is located 90 minutes from our dive center.
Coiba is a UNESCO world heritage site that is protected because of its incredible biodiversity. It is connected to the Galapagos islands in Ecuador and Isla Coco in Costa Rica by an underwater mountain chain.
The reefs of Coiba is the largest reef system in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Depending on the season divers can see exotic species such as whale sharks, several species of shark including hammerheads and manta rays.
The presence of an infamous prison on Coiba Island deterred the development of the region, and after the prison was shut down, conservation agencies recognized the area as one of the most ecologically important in Central America.
The area has 10 + dives sites.
Isla Ladrones, is a great Panama diving location thats is 50 minutes from to the resort and is another best Panama dive spot. It is possible to see species of jack and snapper, white tip sharks as well as Pacific barracuda and needlefish.
Species of manta ray, such as devil, mobula and eagle can be spotted quite frequently, as well as turtles. Reef sharks such as nurse, white-tip and black-tip swim in these waters.
Isla Montuosa, is an advanced diving location thats is 90 minutes from to the resort. The area is a top sport fishing site and the structure has steep undersea pinnacles and gullies where you can find black marlin, sailfish, and large sharks.
While diving Isla Montuosa Panama it is possible to see species of jack and cubera snapper, white tip sharks, scallop shark, whale shark, Galapagos shark, the bull and shark.
Montuosa has pelagic conditions that are experienced close to shore resulting in Marlin and sailfish sightings as well as Pacific barracuda and species of manta ray, devil, mobula and eagle rays will be be spotted quite frequently.
Signature Experience
Luxury
Diving, Yoga
& Adventure
Retreat
Join us for an unparalleled scuba diving retreat with yoga and Panama’s top adventures. Panama’s warm and clear waters make it a scuba divers paradise, yet it is one of the world’s most unvisited and underrated dive destinations. Selva Terra is here to invite divers from all over the world to embark on a true marine safari.
Our scuba diving retreats are capped to 12 certified diver spots.
If you non-certified, the opportunity to become certified throughout this retreat is available. Please let us know in the contact form below
