The founder of DIVE BASE COIBA is Kevan Mantell, a dive instructor and experienced and avid Technical Diver for over 20 years. Kevan worked for several years in the mid nineties as Dive Operations Manager aboard the Coiba Explorer 2, the first serious dive and live-aboard operation in the Gulf of Chiriquí and the Coiba National Park.
As member of a small group of dive professionals, he was one of the first to explore and catalogue the regions dive sites and study the potential for sustainable scuba diving tourism in this region. An initial three-month expedition, exploring the spectacular deep seamounts, pinnacles and shallow reefs of the region, experience the sheer biomass and diversity of marine life. Also naming many of the sites along the way.
Working in harmony with the remote local communities, they use and support local micro – businesses in their initiatives of sustainable tourism and actively participate and assist with local community schools and projects, environmental education, training local guides and English classes.