The easiest, and in my opinion the best, access for world class diving and snorkeling in Panama is a little community called Boca Chica that just over an hour’s drive from Boquete

 

Located in an incredibly lush and tropical setting, Boca Chica is a little known gem that is the gateway to the Gulf of Chiriqui Marine Sanctuary.  Most of the Gulf of Chiriqui (pictured above) was turned into a national park by previous governments and the islands and reefs in the gulf have some of the most spectacular diving, snorkeling and sport fishing in Panama.  There are a series of islands located a few miles offshore that have coconut palm lined, white sand beaches, crystal clear blue water and vibrant reefs teeming with underwater life.  Getting there is fairly easy using one of the water taxi services or tour companies located in Boca Chica.  You can also arrange trips through the tour operators located in Boquete.

 

 

Another place on the Pacific side would be Las Olas, about an hour away by car, located just south of the city of David. There, you will see dolphins jumping out of the crystal clear water. You can also see the fish and crabs if you look beneath the water.

 

You can also go to Bocas del Toro (pictured above), which is a three and a half hour-drive from Boquete. The advantage of going to Bocas del Toro, which is on the Caribbean side, is that the water is beautifully clear.