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Shore Day Trip Live Aboard
Country: Panama Area: Panama
Water Temp: 23 - 27°C (73 - 81°F)
Visibility: 5 - 40m (16 - 131 ft)
Depth Range: 10 - 30m (33 - 98 ft)
Book A Diving Trip OnlineVisitors come to Colon, Panama for a variety of reasons. There are white sandy beaches with clear water. Yachts are often seen at the shelter Bay Marina. The small little town has a history of Spanish galleons and pirates, and back in the heyday of the pirates, battles occurred at some of today's dive sites.
In the town of Portobello visitors can see the remains of five Spanish forts as well as the Spanish colonial treasure house that was restored by the Spanish government in the late 1990s.
The Bocas Del Toro Research Station as well as the R Marine laboratory monitor the fringing coral reef, mango force and other wildlife in the waters off the coast.
Portobello, Colon underwater, Credit
The weather is warm year-round with an average of 30° C (85°F) throughout the year. Evenings can dip to an average of 23° C (75°F).There are only two seasons in: wet or dry. The rainy season is during the summer months between April and November and brings with it heavy afternoon thunderstorms.
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Most of the diving opportunities in Colon, Panama are within the Portobelo National Marine Park. Colon is just two hours from Panama City. The diving in the National Marine Park offers corals, history of pirate battles and sunken vessels, and reef diving. The best months for diving are between December and April, mainly because there are no storms that affect visibility.
Colon underwater, Credit
Underwater life includes white tip sharks, black tip reef sharks, hammerheads, bull and tiger sharks. Between December and April there’s a good chance of hearing and encountering whale sharks. Between July and October it's possible to spot humpbacks, pilots and orca’s. There are also rays, butterfish, turtles and dolphins.
Dive Sites:
Buenaventura offers depths between 10 m (22 ft.) and 18.3 m (60 ft.) with visibility between 5-10 m (16 ft. to 33 ft.).
Isla Drake offers diving from 12 m. (39 ft.) to 18.3 m. (60 ft.) and visibility between 5-10 m. (16-33 ft.)
Playa De La Punta offers depths between 5 m. (16 ft.) and 8 m. (26 ft.), with visibility between 10-30 m. (22-100 ft.)
Brain Coral, Credit
Bocas Del Toro, on the Caribbean side has a bunch of smaller islands with coral.Tiger Rock, which consists of three rocks from the bottom (40 m. (130 ft.) offers opportunities to view rays, sharks, whale sharks and dolphins. This is a site for more experienced divers due to the rough seas currents and deep depth.
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Fly into Tocumen International Airport (PTY), rent a car and drive to the coast,or take a bus.
Gone diving, Credit
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In addition to hotel restaurants, there are a few other establishments including Restaurante Arrecifes, which specializes in seafood and has lunch options. Fresh and inexpensive seafood and ice cold beer are served.
Shrimp In Fried Plantain Bowls, Credit
The Grand Café at Panaderia Mediterranea serves Arab and Lebanese food. The number of Arabs living in the area led to the restaurant's opening. Pizza, salmon Caesar salad and various specialties are available.
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The Panama Canal Railroad that runs from Colon to Panama City only takes one hour each way. There are coaches with wooden blinds, carpeted floors, bathrooms, air-conditioning and a bar. This train has been in operation since 1855.
Prepare a picnic lunch and visit San Lorenzo. It's surrounded by a national park that offers trails and picnic spots.
Coral, Credit
There is also a large duty-free shopping area where street vendors negotiate their prices, particularly at the end of the day. Vendors from across the country sell arts and crafts and home made items.
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Wet suits of 3-5mm are best when diving, due to the warm water temperatures.
Check the dive shop and dive sites. Make sure someone knows where you are, who you are diving with, and when your dive will end.
Try not to be alone in the city, especially after dark.
School of fish, Credit
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