Divers looking for ocean conservation activities in Panama should set a course for Bocas del Toro, a Mission Blue Hope Spot. The archipelago is home to bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, mangroves, more than 120 species of sponge and a variety of Caribbean coral. However, increased tourism and development have put a strain on this delicate ecosystem, creating an urgent need for citizen scientists.
Below are a few of the ocean conservation activities for scuba divers in Panama. Opportunities range from one-day programs to multi-week, in-depth courses.
Ankay Conservation
“Ankay Conservation was born from a desire to bridge marine science and real-world impact,” said Founder and Operations Manager Pau Sills. “When I first arrived in Bocas del Toro, I was struck by both the beauty of the reefs and how under-monitored they were despite their importance. Our programs were designed to make conservation accessible — not only to scientists, but to divers, travelers and anyone curious about the ocean.”
Ankay Conservation offers a variety of ocean conservation activities in Panama. Its two-week Ocean Conservation Programs are meant for divers who want to gain practical experience in scientific surveying. Participants choose an area of focus from:
- Coral Conservation
- Fish Conservation
- Invertebrate Conservation
- Sponge Conservation
Accommodation, home-cooked meals and 10 to 12 dives per week are included. Daily underwater data collection supports global databases.
For those with less time, Ankay also offers several two-day Conservation Courses that include an overnight stay on Isla Solarte, where the PADI Five Star Dive Resort is located. Course options include:
- Marine Ecosystem Diver — Students explore mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs
- Ankay Conservation Diver — Includes both theory and in-water training
- Marine Species Identifier — Learn about key species in Bocas del Toro
In addition, divers visiting Ankay can take PADI’s most popular conservation specialties and Distinctive Specialties, including Coral Watch and Caribbean Sponge Conservation.
Lastly, divers dreaming of a career in diving or marine science may be interested in their Eco Divemaster Program. Many alumni pursue careers in marine research and conservation.
Bocas Pirates
Bocas Pirates is home to Mother of Corals’ Revive: Reef Restoration Program. Available as a one-day introduction or a multi-day immersive course, Revive students learn the science of coral restoration and how to:
- Build and position artificial reef structures
- Propagate nursery-grown corals
- Monitor reef health indicators, such as coral growth, water quality and fish populations
Mother of Corals Founder, Krista Shoe describes a typical day in the Revive program:
“It starts with a mid-morning classroom session that lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Then we take a boat out to the underwater classroom. After a 60-minute dive or snorkel session, we head back to the resort. Training ends by mid-afternoon, leaving the rest of the day open to explore the beauty of Bocas del Toro or simply relax.”
The Revive: Reef Restoration Program operates year-round. You can book individually, as a couple or bring a group of six to 12 divers for a week-long course.
The Ocean Needs Our Help
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to use your scuba skills to support ocean conservation, Panama can be your underwater classroom. Join the worldwide community of Ocean Torchbearers who care for our blue planet.
