Coiba National Park

Coiba National Park is the largest national park in Panama - comprising 38 islands - and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located on the Pacific Ocean side and it gets all the big stuff. White-tip reef sharks, black-tip reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, and tiger sharks can all be commonly seen on the dive sites here. Whale sharks are a big attraction in season, passing through the area from December to April. Humpback whales can be spotted from July through October. Orcas, pilot whales, manta rays, and Mobula rays also frequent the Coiba National Park.

Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro is an archipelago of 9 islands, including the protected area of Isla Bastimentos National Marine. The area is renowned for its well-preserved hard and soft corals, as it’s located away from large cities and the hurricane zone. It is estimated that most of the species of corals you can find in various areas of the Caribbean Sea can be found within this small archipelago.

Portobelo National Park

Portobelo National Park is a popular dive area near the Caribbean side with great reefs, marine life, and historical shipwrecks. Located just two hours from Panama City, it’s the perfect seaside getaway for those visiting the country. The reefs in the Portobelo National Park consist of nearly 50 species of coral and more than 250 fish species can be found here.