Who Is This Diving Expedition For?
This exclusive diving package is designed for certified, adventure-seeking divers.
Whether you're a solo traveler looking to meet like-minded divers, traveling with your dive buddy, or joining a local SCUBA group, this trip offers an unforgettable experience. While diving is the main focus, each day is infused with adventure, fun and deep connections to nature.
Experience Level & Certification Requirements
- Caribbean Diving: Ideal for beginner and intermediate divers, thanks to warm waters and generally easy conditions.
- Pacific Diving (Coiba & Contreras Islands): Depths and occasional strong currents make this better suited for advanced divers.
We recommend all divers be PADI Open Water certified (or equivalent) with at least 20 logged dives. This ensures a consistent skill level across the group, making for a safer and more enjoyable dive experience.
Why Nitrox Certification Matters
For the best experience at Contreras Islands, we highly recommend PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) certification. Diving with Nitrox extends bottom time, allowing you to maximize your underwater exploration. You can complete the e-learning portion online before arriving in Panama and finalize the certification with Kelly at Bocas Dive Center.
Medical Clearance for Diving
All divers must be medically cleared before arrival in Panama. If you have any medical conditions or take medication, please contact us in advance to confirm whether medical clearance is required.
Getting You Ready for Your SCUBA Adventure
During the Bocas del Toro leg of your expedition, you can advance your diving skills with a variety
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
Take your diving to the next level by improving navigation skills, experiencing deeper dives, and exploring new diving specialties. With a PADI Instructor, you’ll complete:
✅ Navigation Dive
✅ Deep Dive (up to 30m/100ft)
✅ Three Adventure Dives of Your Choice, including:
- Wreck Diving
- Fish Identification
- Underwater Naturalist
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Night Diving
- Drift Diving
Each Adventure Dive also counts as the first dive toward a full PADI Specialty Certification.
PADI Specialty Diver Courses in Bocas del Toro
We offer a selection of PADI Specialty Diver courses that fit within your schedule while in Bocas de
Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver
Learn how to safely dive with oxygen-enriched air (Nitrox) to extend bottom time, reduce nitrogen loading, and shorten surface intervals. (This is a dry course—no dives required.)
Underwater Naturalist
Discover marine ecology, symbiotic relationships, and aquatic plant and animal habitats in this two-dive specialty.
Fish Identification
Become skilled at identifying marine life by learning to recognize different fish families and their unique characteristics. (Two dives included.)
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Master buoyancy control with this two-dive course, improving weighting, air consumption, and dive efficiency for longer dives.
Deep Diver
Explore new depths with this four-dive certification (maximum depth: 40m/120ft). Learn about gas supply management, narcosis awareness, and deep dive safety procedures.
Wreck Diver
Understand safe wreck diving techniques in this four-dive specialty. Learn about potential hazards, wreck penetration, and specialized wreck-diving skills.
Night Diver
Experience the ocean after dark with this three-dive specialty. Learn safe night diving techniques, proper light handling and how to navigate in low visibility.
Underwater Navigator
Enhance your navigation skills with compass and natural navigation techniques in this four-dive specialty.
Self-Reliant Diver (Advanced Training)
Gain the skills needed for independent diving through four instructor-led dives. Learn self-sufficiency, risk management, and redundant air supply use.
Requirements:
✔️ PADI Advanced Open Water Certification
✔️ 100 logged dives
✔️ Minimum age: 18 years