Our proximity to the Coiba National Park and The Archipelago of Contreras cuts navigation times down to a fraction of the time normally spent to arrive and return from Coiba National Park. We can spend up to two/three hours more in the park each day, giving us time for additional dives, exploring or even just relaxing on one of the parks spectacular beaches. From our location, we also have daily access to a much larger area of the park and can offer day trips that include other very productive dive sites around Archipelagos out of the park’s limits. And /or a mixture of both.
Itinerary: Dive Adventure Retreat
-Arrival Day.
-Days of Diving and Activities
Morning:
Afternoon
Evnening
-Departure Day
Included in each of our Multi Day packages.
Not included in any of our Multi day packages
As an additional service, we provide exclusive shuttle transportation that can pick you up from any location across the country and take you directly to Pixvae. If you’re interested in learning more about this service and wish to inform us about your preferred pickup location, please feel free to inquire for additional details.
For more information about Personalized Packages, please contact us.
Each area and island group offers something a little different. From calm protected shallower reefs to deeper Open Ocean, “pelagic” marine environments. Our proximity to Coiba and Contreras, shorter navigation times, allows time for additional dives or to pursue terrestrial adventures!
Scuba trips
We kick off our dive trips to Coiba National Park from Pixvae. We meet at the dive center at 7:25 a.m. for a briefing, waivers, payments, and equipment setup. Afterward, we head for a quick 20-minute boat ride to the park. Enjoy two or three dives based on your preference. We usually wrap up between 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Our dive sites are located in Coiba and Contreras. Our surface intervals take place on Coiba’s pristine white beaches or at the rangers’ station, home to a variety of wildlife and a diverse range of bird species.
Diving Profile and Marine Life you an See
Dives typically last 45 to 60 minutes, adjusted for conditions and air consumption. Depths range from 10 to 32 meters, suitable for all levels. Site selection considers experience, season, weather, and sea conditions. Water temperature is usually 26 to 30 degrees Celsius, except from mid-March to early June when thermoclines may bring it down to 18 to 24 degrees Celsius.
You can encounter white-tipped reef sharks, turtles, dolphins, rays, lobsters, sea horses, and an array of fish including jacks and barracudas. Moray eels, wahoos, snappers, butterflyfish, and parrotfish add to the spectacle. Keep an eye out for magnificent whale sharks and giant mantas if plankton is in abundance. From July to September, humpback whales often grace the surface with their presence. And from July and June you can spot hammerhead sharks.
Our Day Packages Include.
Not included in Day Packages.
-As an additional service, we provide exclusive shuttle transportation that can pick you up from any location across the country and take you directly to Pixvae. If you’re interested in learning more about this service and wish to inform us about your preferred pickup location, please feel free to inquire for additional details.
EXCLUSIVELY BY RESERVATION.
Given our restricted seating capacity, we strongly suggest making advance reservations to secure your place on the boat. Please be aware that walk-in bookings are not accommodated. Securing a reservation is essential.
Coiba is a good choice for inexperienced divers, as there are many dive sites suitable for beginners and the area is known for its clear waters and diverse marine life.
Absolutely! If you are new to diving, we recommend the PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience which does not require certification. If you want to get certified, we offer the PADI Open Water Diver course.
For those who require internet access, Pixvae provides Wi-Fi connectivity
Our primary payment method is cash, although we do accept other options such as Yappy or Panamanian transactions for added convenience.
When packing for your trip to Coiba, keep in mind that we provide water, sandwiches, and snacks for our guests. However, you are welcome to bring your own water and snacks if you prefer.
The check-in time for the dive center is 7:00 AM. However, we recommend visiting the dive shop on the day before your booked trip to try on rental equipment, complete payments, and sign any necessary waivers for a smoother check-in process.
To enter the Coiba National Park, foreigners need to pay a daily fee of $20, while Panamanians and residents are required to pay $5. When you arrive at our dive shop, we will collect the fee and ask to see your proof of nationality or residency, so please remember to bring it with you.
In addition to diving, there are several other activities available in Pixvae. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. The area is also known for its beautiful beaches and hiking trails, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Yes, there are several restaurants in Pixvae that offer a variety of cuisine, including seafood, traditional Panamanian dishes, and vegan and vegetarian options.
Yes, signing a liability release is a requirement before diving with our company. This is a standard practice in the diving industry and is necessary to ensure the safety of all participants. The liability release outlines the risks and responsibilities involved in diving and must be signed by all participants before the activity can begin.
In Pixvae, you can find a few small stores and restaurants for your convenience. However, it’s important to note that there are no ATMs or banks in the area. Therefore, we recommend withdrawing cash in Sona before arriving in Pixvae to ensure that you have access to money during your stay.
To ensure that you have a spot reserved for diving with us, we kindly request that you make a reservation in advance. You can easily do so by visiting our “Contact Us” section on our website, or by reaching out to us via WhatsApp.
Yes, we can help you organize accommodation.
At the moment Pixvae doesn’t count with Cellphone Signal but it does provide Wi-Fi to does who need to be connected to the internet!
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.
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