Panama’s location between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea allows divers to experience two oceans on one dive trip. Depending on the time of year, you can see whale sharks, humpback whales or baby sea turtles. Year-round, you can expect to encounter colorful fish, a variety of rays, boxfish, pufferfish, eels and octopuses. Here’s a closer look at the marine life you can see in Panama.
Whales and Dolphins
Between July and October, more than 1000 humpback whales — from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres — gather along the Pacific coast of Panama. These gentle giants migrate to the warm waters of Panama every year to give birth.
While it’s not legal to jump in the water with a whale in Panama, you can do a whale watching cruise. You may also hear whale song while diving.
Panama is also home to more than 30 species of dolphins and whales. In addition to humpbacks, you may also see:
- Minke whales
- Blue whales
- Sperm whales
- Orcas
- Pacific bottlenose dolphins
- Pantropical spotted dolphins
Manta Rays, Mobula Rays and Eagle Rays
Whales aren’t the only animals that love Panama. Manta rays, mobula rays and eagle rays can be seen year-round, if you’re lucky.
Sea Turtles
Panama is home to five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, including the endangered green turtle and critically endangered hawksbill turtle. More than 200 beaches are protected nesting areas throughout the country. If you visit Panama during nesting season (mid-July through January), you can support sea turtle conservation efforts by being a beach monitor or helping with data collection.
Sharks, Including Whale Sharks
Love sharks? Panama is a great place to see several different types of sharks, particularly within Coiba National Park. White-tipped reef sharks and nurse sharks are the most common, but you may also see:
- Bull sharks
- Galapagos sharks
- Hammerhead sharks
- Nurse sharks
- Tiger sharks
- And, whale sharks!
From January through April, Coiba National Park is one of the best places to swim with whale sharks in the world.
Other Notable Marine Life
The coral reefs of Panama are full of colorful fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, damselfish and parrotfish. You can also expect to see boxfish, pufferfish, eels, octopuses, lobsters and crabs on many of your dives. If you’re lucky, you might also spot a seahorse, frogfish or even a wahoo cruising by.
Fascinating Topside Animals
The wildlife of Panama is almost as fascinating topside as it is underwater. The country is home to big cats, such as jaguars, jaguarundis and ocelots. There are also sloths, six monkey species and a mind-boggling number of tropical birds — including 20 varieties of parrots and parakeets and eight types of toucan.
Dive Into Panama
Whether you’re diving in crystal-clear Caribbean waters or exploring the rich ecosystems of the Pacific, Panama offers many exciting marine life encounters. Not sure where to start? Contact an expert at PADI Travel® or connect with a local PADI Dive Shop.
