Scuba Diving in Panama

Explore 53 dive sites and 15 dive centres in Panama. Conditions, marine life, and the best time to dive.

Panama Diving at a Glance

4 dive regions, 53 dive sites, 15 dive centres, 355 marine species recorded.

Travel Advisories for Panama

UK FCDO: See travel advice before travelling.

Best Time to Dive in Panama

The best months to dive in Panama are January, February, March, based on water temperature, visibility, wave conditions, and currents.

Month-by-Month Diving Conditions

  • January: Great, water 29.3°C, current 4.5 cm/s
  • February: Great, water 29°C, current 9.2 cm/s
  • March: Great, water 28.9°C, current 12.2 cm/s
  • April: Great, water 29°C, current 11.2 cm/s
  • May: Great, water 29.1°C, current 6.1 cm/s
  • June: Great, water 29°C, current 5 cm/s
  • July: Great, water 29.1°C, current 5 cm/s
  • August: Great, water 29.2°C, current 5 cm/s
  • September: Great, water 29°C, current 6 cm/s
  • October: Great, water 28.7°C, current 6 cm/s
  • November: Great, water 28.3°C, current 7.1 cm/s
  • December: Great, water 29.4°C, current 3.2 cm/s

Recommended Packing List for Panama

Based on average water temperature of 29.0°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Dive Regions