TOP 5 things to see in Coiba Island (2025)

  Look no further, This is the Panama Dive you are looking for. - I usually don't leave reviews but felt compelled in this instance...

Kevan Mantell owns Dive Base Coiba, he is as professional as it gets, even down to the amazing... read more BBC English accent we have all grown so accustomed to learning about nature from. More than a diver, but a true proponent of the environment and conservation. Few can say they have fought to keep Panama (specifically Coiba) preserved more than Kevan. As a professional diver who has been contracted for many large-scale productions (many of which you are familiar with), you can rest assured that the equipment is of high-quality name brands and checked several times prior to use.

It had been a while since my last dive. I made many mistakes however Kevan was always keeping an eye on me. For example, after we finished our dive I tried to get back onto the boat with my weight belt on. He was down below and unfastened my belt for me before I even knew I had left it on. Amazing attention to detail. I'll never forget when I dropped my GoPro5 while we were making our ascent after our dive. I got on the boat upset that my GoPro5 was gone forever, somewhere on that ocean floor. Kevan noticing it's gone (again, great attention to detail) asks me "what happened?". I tell him I dropped it, hanging my head hopelessly. Still trying to come to terms with a $500 loss of my GoPro at the beginning of my 4-month trek. Kevan, without hesitation, puts his mask on, the regulator in his mouth and disappears. Less than 7 minutes later he is back at the surface holding my GoPro5 in hand.

Thank you Kevan 100 times over again... If I could leave a 10-star review I would.

I really don't know why anyone would consider diving with anyone besides Dive Base Coiba. We saw so many amazing fish, turtles, sharks. The location is prime migratory territory, thus you are guaranteed to see some truly memorable wildlife. (While on our way back a school of Pilot whales just happen to swim by. A member of our group jumped into the ocean to capture the awesome display as they pass.)

The instructor is the highest tier of professionalism with stories that will leave you in disbelief (Ask him about the trip he took on the whales tail that changed how he wears his shoes. Its quite possibly the coolest story I've ever heard.). The lunch was really good too. It is truly an amazing area that has been made better by the impact of this organization. I don't always dive Panama but when I do, I dive DBC.