recommendations for panama diving?

I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.

Thanks in advance
bill

"Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
>
> Thanks in advance
> bill

Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
del Toro.

Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
week in Puerto Viejo, CR.

This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
diving opportunity presented itself.

Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
spend a day or two.

We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.

While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
(lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.

However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
shop just a bout dinner time.

How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?

Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.

We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
reasonable. Highly recommended.

Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
things considered.

"Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
>
> Thanks in advance
> bill

Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
del Toro.

Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
week in Puerto Viejo, CR.

This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
diving opportunity presented itself.

Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
spend a day or two.

We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.

While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
(lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.

However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
shop just a bout dinner time.

How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?

Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.

We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
reasonable. Highly recommended.

Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
things considered.

"Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
>
> Thanks in advance
> bill

Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
del Toro.

Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
week in Puerto Viejo, CR.

This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
diving opportunity presented itself.

Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
spend a day or two.

We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.

While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
(lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.

However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
shop just a bout dinner time.

How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?

Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.

We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
reasonable. Highly recommended.

Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
things considered.

"Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
>
> Thanks in advance
> bill

Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
del Toro.

Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
week in Puerto Viejo, CR.

This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
diving opportunity presented itself.

Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
spend a day or two.

We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.

While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
(lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.

However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
shop just a bout dinner time.

How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?

Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.

We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
reasonable. Highly recommended.

Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
things considered.

"Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
>
> Thanks in advance
> bill

Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
del Toro.

Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
week in Puerto Viejo, CR.

This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
diving opportunity presented itself.

Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
spend a day or two.

We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.

While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
(lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.

However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
shop just a bout dinner time.

How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?

Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.

We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
reasonable. Highly recommended.

Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
things considered.

EB <efb.otr@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> > I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> > bill
>
> Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
> Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
> del Toro.
>
> Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
> week in Puerto Viejo, CR.
>
> This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
> diving opportunity presented itself.
>
> Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
> While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
> spend a day or two.
>
> We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
> The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
> few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
> diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.
>
> While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
> plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
> enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
> with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
> (lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
> back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.
>
> However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
> morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
> the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
> Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
> did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
> spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
> shop just a bout dinner time.
>
> How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?
>
> Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.
>
> We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
> It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
> Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
> reasonable. Highly recommended.
>
> Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
> things considered.

I did exactly the same for a day in 2003, and my verdict...fairly much
exactly as described, except...the dive guides were utterly incompetent
and damaging to marine life. What in many respects was a lovely day out
was negated by the constant harrassing of every creature underwater,
damage to corals, and lack of group organisation. The guide on the first
dive was only a Rescue diver, and on the second dive only an Open Water
diver! He succeeded in losing most of his group, and did repeated
up/down bounces in a vain attempt to find them. For safety's sake I took
over leading the group, despite the possible liability issues, as I
figured it's better that people actually stay alive.

So, this was all back in 2003, so it's very possible they've changed
things since then; I hope so. If the dive guides are now competent and
safe then I would say it's a very pleasant day out and well worth the
money. If not, then it may still be worth it, but be prepared for some
surprises. I would have had a great day out if I hadn't felt a sense of
responsibility to make sure everyone actually returned from diving.
Personally I go on holiday to get away from work, not to give myself
surprise rescue scenarios, but each to their own.

Stan

EB <efb.otr@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> > I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> > bill
>
> Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
> Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
> del Toro.
>
> Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
> week in Puerto Viejo, CR.
>
> This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
> diving opportunity presented itself.
>
> Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
> While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
> spend a day or two.
>
> We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
> The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
> few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
> diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.
>
> While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
> plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
> enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
> with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
> (lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
> back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.
>
> However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
> morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
> the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
> Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
> did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
> spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
> shop just a bout dinner time.
>
> How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?
>
> Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.
>
> We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
> It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
> Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
> reasonable. Highly recommended.
>
> Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
> things considered.

I did exactly the same for a day in 2003, and my verdict...fairly much
exactly as described, except...the dive guides were utterly incompetent
and damaging to marine life. What in many respects was a lovely day out
was negated by the constant harrassing of every creature underwater,
damage to corals, and lack of group organisation. The guide on the first
dive was only a Rescue diver, and on the second dive only an Open Water
diver! He succeeded in losing most of his group, and did repeated
up/down bounces in a vain attempt to find them. For safety's sake I took
over leading the group, despite the possible liability issues, as I
figured it's better that people actually stay alive.

So, this was all back in 2003, so it's very possible they've changed
things since then; I hope so. If the dive guides are now competent and
safe then I would say it's a very pleasant day out and well worth the
money. If not, then it may still be worth it, but be prepared for some
surprises. I would have had a great day out if I hadn't felt a sense of
responsibility to make sure everyone actually returned from diving.
Personally I go on holiday to get away from work, not to give myself
surprise rescue scenarios, but each to their own.

Stan

EB <efb.otr@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> > I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> > bill
>
> Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
> Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
> del Toro.
>
> Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
> week in Puerto Viejo, CR.
>
> This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
> diving opportunity presented itself.
>
> Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
> While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
> spend a day or two.
>
> We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
> The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
> few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
> diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.
>
> While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
> plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
> enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
> with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
> (lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
> back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.
>
> However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
> morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
> the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
> Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
> did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
> spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
> shop just a bout dinner time.
>
> How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?
>
> Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.
>
> We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
> It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
> Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
> reasonable. Highly recommended.
>
> Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
> things considered.

I did exactly the same for a day in 2003, and my verdict...fairly much
exactly as described, except...the dive guides were utterly incompetent
and damaging to marine life. What in many respects was a lovely day out
was negated by the constant harrassing of every creature underwater,
damage to corals, and lack of group organisation. The guide on the first
dive was only a Rescue diver, and on the second dive only an Open Water
diver! He succeeded in losing most of his group, and did repeated
up/down bounces in a vain attempt to find them. For safety's sake I took
over leading the group, despite the possible liability issues, as I
figured it's better that people actually stay alive.

So, this was all back in 2003, so it's very possible they've changed
things since then; I hope so. If the dive guides are now competent and
safe then I would say it's a very pleasant day out and well worth the
money. If not, then it may still be worth it, but be prepared for some
surprises. I would have had a great day out if I hadn't felt a sense of
responsibility to make sure everyone actually returned from diving.
Personally I go on holiday to get away from work, not to give myself
surprise rescue scenarios, but each to their own.

Stan

EB <efb.otr@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "Bill Fright" <billfright@austin.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:475c1fce$0$2532$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> > I'm going to both coasts and thought I'd ask here.
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> > bill
>
> Can't speak to diving on the Pacific side, but did a few dives on the
> Caribbean side a few years ago (3/05), off the lovely bay islands of Bocas
> del Toro.
>
> Journeyed into Panama via the Caribbean border at Sixaola after spending a
> week in Puerto Viejo, CR.
>
> This was *not* a "dive trip". Rather, it was more of a walkabout where a
> diving opportunity presented itself.
>
> Bocas is a beautiful area, well worth a visit.
> While I certainly wouldn't go there just for diving, it's not a bad way to
> spend a day or two.
>
> We stopped in at Bocas Water Sports, right on the main drag of Bocas Town.
> The shop well organized, and the staff friendly and competent. I asked a
> few questions, looked at the rental gear (as I said, we were not there for
> diving, and had not brought our gear), and set up a dive for the next day.
>
> While the diving is not world-class (seems the run-off from banana
> plantations, etc. has definitely impacted the coral), it was enjoyable
> enough. We dove at 'Coral Cay' and 'The Gardens'. Both averaged around 60',
> with bottom time of about an hour) Saw a fair amount of small critters
> (lobsters, crabs, squid, morays, puffers, and some bristleworms, looking
> back at my log) with reasonably decent viz.
>
> However, there was a bonus: it wasn't *just diving. We actually started the
> morning doing a little dolphin watching from the boat, before proceeding to
> the first dive. After a decent surface interval, we did our second dive.
> Upon completion, we then boated over to a beautiful little island, where we
> did a bushwalk to observe the endemic red frog. Finally, we ended up at a
> spectacular beach for a little swimming and body surfing. Returned to the
> shop just a bout dinner time.
>
> How much, you ask? How about $50 bucks for the whole day?
>
> Had a good experience with Bocas Water Sports, the dive op.
>
> We stayed at the Hotel Angela.
> It's off the main drag, but right on the water. The owner, an expat from
> Memphis, was an exceptional host. Excellent on-site restaurant, and very
> reasonable. Highly recommended.
>
> Like I've said, not world-class diving, but a pretty damn fine time, all
> things considered.

I did exactly the same for a day in 2003, and my verdict...fairly much
exactly as described, except...the dive guides were utterly incompetent
and damaging to marine life. What in many respects was a lovely day out
was negated by the constant harrassing of every creature underwater,
damage to corals, and lack of group organisation. The guide on the first
dive was only a Rescue diver, and on the second dive only an Open Water
diver! He succeeded in losing most of his group, and did repeated
up/down bounces in a vain attempt to find them. For safety's sake I took
over leading the group, despite the possible liability issues, as I
figured it's better that people actually stay alive.

So, this was all back in 2003, so it's very possible they've changed
things since then; I hope so. If the dive guides are now competent and
safe then I would say it's a very pleasant day out and well worth the
money. If not, then it may still be worth it, but be prepared for some
surprises. I would have had a great day out if I hadn't felt a sense of
responsibility to make sure everyone actually returned from diving.
Personally I go on holiday to get away from work, not to give myself
surprise rescue scenarios, but each to their own.

Stan