Does the ocean in Panama have dangerous animals in it?
Michael Ducharme - Lotus Garden
Yes. Although I've never heard anyone so much as mention the words "shark attack" in my decade of living here, the fact is that sharks and other "dangerous" ocean dwellers do not respect international borders, they do not carry passports, and they do not sign in on arrival. Since these creatures may freely swim anywhere they please, no one could ever rule out their presence in Panama.
In fact, a surfer Web site lists 27 shark attacks in Panama, with some fatalities,...
In fact, a surfer Web site lists 27 shark attacks in Panama, with some fatalities,...
Yes. Although I've never heard anyone so much as mention the words "shark attack" in my decade of living here, the fact is that sharks and other "dangerous" ocean dwellers do not respect international borders, they do not carry passports, and they do not sign in on arrival. Since these creatures may freely swim anywhere they please, no one could ever rule out their presence in Panama.
In fact, a surfer Web site lists 27 shark attacks in Panama, with some fatalities, and some provoked incidents.
That being said, the most common complaint I've heard from the locals and visitors with regard to Panama's waters is not related related to sharks or even stingrays, but the pesky stinging jellyfish.
In fact, a surfer Web site lists 27 shark attacks in Panama, with some fatalities, and some provoked incidents.
That being said, the most common complaint I've heard from the locals and visitors with regard to Panama's waters is not related related to sharks or even stingrays, but the pesky stinging jellyfish.
Posted January 23, 2013
Ian Usher - House Sitting Magazine
I live in the beautiful archipelago of Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast of Panama. I am on a small island, and tend to either swim or snorkel most days. And as yet, I have never felt threatened by anything "dangerous".
The video included here was filmed on and around the island, and includes much swimming and snorkeling. We've seen barracuda, octopus, rays, and even a couple of small nurse sharks. They have all been more scared of us...
I live in the beautiful archipelago of Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean coast of Panama. I am on a small island, and tend to either swim or snorkel most days. And as yet, I have never felt threatened by anything "dangerous".
The video included here was filmed on and around the island, and includes much swimming and snorkeling. We've seen barracuda, octopus, rays, and even a couple of small nurse sharks. They have all been more scared of us than we are of them.
Every day in Bocas del Toro people swim, dive, snorkel, surf and play in the sea, and I've yet to hear of a serious incident. I imagine the most common sea creature-related problems are either cuts from getting close to the coral, spikes in a foot from standing on a spiny urchin, or an occasional sting from a jellyfish.
I live right by Dolphin Bay, and regularly see dolphins when out in my boat or canoe. But I've yet to meet them when I'm actually in the water. That would be fun.
Come on in, the water's lovely.
Posted June 13, 2013
RENE GOMEZ
Both of the oceans on either side of Panama have the usual type of tropical marine animals.
Sharks were almost fished-out on account of the demand for their fins.
Besides sea urchins, which are seldom seen (because they habitate inside the coral heads), the only other animal that could puncture your skin would be a stingray if bathing at low tide. If you need to wade through, please drag your feet, because the stingray...
Both of the oceans on either side of Panama have the usual type of tropical marine animals.
Sharks were almost fished-out on account of the demand for their fins.
Besides sea urchins, which are seldom seen (because they habitate inside the coral heads), the only other animal that could puncture your skin would be a stingray if bathing at low tide. If you need to wade through, please drag your feet, because the stingray will flee when touched.
Posted June 14, 2013
Rafael Alvarado - Rafael Alvarado / Attorney / Real Estate Broker
There are no records of shark attacks here in Panama, or at least not that I know of. Although, there are sharks in both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, that is for sure, shark attacks such as are reported in places such as Florida do not happen here.
There is, however, a season when jellyfish is abundant in the waters of Panama and everybody knows that it usually starts around March and goes for 20 days or so. The people who live in...
There are no records of shark attacks here in Panama, or at least not that I know of. Although, there are sharks in both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, that is for sure, shark attacks such as are reported in places such as Florida do not happen here.
There is, however, a season when jellyfish is abundant in the waters of Panama and everybody knows that it usually starts around March and goes for 20 days or so. The people who live in condominiums near the ocean receive a memo telling them not to go swimming at the beach or to look carefully at the sand because the jellyfish sometimes wash ashore, too. They also post the same memo on the elevators so everyone is informed.
Posted October 15, 2014
Michael A. Martinez - B & B Real Estate Nicaragua / Panama Real Estate Information
There are sharks in oceans all over the world. I have never heard anything here in Panama in terms of anyone being attacked. I have never heard even one incident of an animal attack in the oceans here. I personally saw a wounded snake on the beach one day about five years ago, but not any other animals. You do, however, have to watch out for an undercurrent on certain beaches here in Panama. Some beaches are definitely friendlier for swimming than...
There are sharks in oceans all over the world. I have never heard anything here in Panama in terms of anyone being attacked. I have never heard even one incident of an animal attack in the oceans here. I personally saw a wounded snake on the beach one day about five years ago, but not any other animals. You do, however, have to watch out for an undercurrent on certain beaches here in Panama. Some beaches are definitely friendlier for swimming than others.
Posted February 6, 2015
David De Franco Levi - DEFRANCORP- Business Consultants
We do have sharks in Panama, and there are other dangerous animals in the oceans here. (I'm clearing myself from liabilities right away.) However, based on my five years here, and considering just my personal friends and family, one person has gotten stung by a stingray and one or two had jellyfish stings. That’s all I have ever heard of. No one went to the hospital. When I go to the ocean, I am definitely...
We do have sharks in Panama, and there are other dangerous animals in the oceans here. (I'm clearing myself from liabilities right away.) However, based on my five years here, and considering just my personal friends and family, one person has gotten stung by a stingray and one or two had jellyfish stings. That’s all I have ever heard of. No one went to the hospital. When I go to the ocean, I am definitely not at all concerned about any danger from the animals there, and I don’t know that in general, anyone else is concerned about it, either.
(Pictured: San Blas Islands, Panama.)
Posted June 20, 2015
Iván Eskildsen - Cubitá Group
The waters of Panama are safe, especially if you go to the main beaches where there are people around, but it is always recommendable to do a little research if you are going to a certain place for the first time.Generally, there aren’t any dangerous animals in the oceans in Panama. I haven’t heard of any shark attacks or anything similar to that here in Panama, especially in the beaches where we are.
Chitré, where our development is located, is...
The waters of Panama are safe, especially if you go to the main beaches where there are people around, but it is always recommendable to do a little research if you are going to a certain place for the first time.Generally, there aren’t any dangerous animals in the oceans in Panama. I haven’t heard of any shark attacks or anything similar to that here in Panama, especially in the beaches where we are.
Chitré, where our development is located, is very close to the ocean but the beaches that are close to Chitré are coral beaches, about 20 minutes away from here. There are some very nice beaches all the way down to Pedasi, which is one of the rising development sites and tourism spots in Panama, located around 50 minutes away from here. All these beaches are safe.
(Pictured: beach around Pedasi, Panama.)
Posted March 5, 2016
Mirhanna Sandoya - Lucero Homes Golf & Country Club
In the Caribbean coast in Boca del Toro, or Colon, or San Blas, where we have the beautiful white sand and pristine water, we do not have any record of any dangerous animal. In the Pacific Ocean, on the other hand, in Chiriquí, Panama City, and some of the other provinces, there are reports of sharks. Most of the time they do not come over here, but we have reports because people go surfing and then they see the shark. In general, though, we...
In the Caribbean coast in Boca del Toro, or Colon, or San Blas, where we have the beautiful white sand and pristine water, we do not have any record of any dangerous animal. In the Pacific Ocean, on the other hand, in Chiriquí, Panama City, and some of the other provinces, there are reports of sharks. Most of the time they do not come over here, but we have reports because people go surfing and then they see the shark. In general, though, we don’t have dangerous animals in the oceans in Panama. They won’t go all the way to the sand to bite you.
Personally, I’m not concerned when I go to the beach or to the ocean. I’ve seen in the news that there was a shark attack on a surfer, but that was years ago, and after that, I haven’t seen any report on the news or the newspaper regarding that. I know the sharks are there, very deep on the Pacific Coast. There have been no reports of stingrays or anything else that could sting or bite you in the ocean.
(Beach at Parque Nacional Chiriquí, Panama, pictured.)
Posted December 20, 2016
Penny Ripple
Everyone is commenting about sharks. But also remember that there are Caymans here (salt water Crocodiles). Especially on the out islands, like Coiba. (Pictured: diver in Coiba Island, Panama.)
Everyone is commenting about sharks. But also remember that there are Caymans here (salt water Crocodiles). Especially on the out islands, like Coiba. (Pictured: diver in Coiba Island, Panama.)
Posted December 25, 2016
cor viene
Dangerous animals in Panama? After 14 year living here. I can say that the Panamanians are the dangerous animals, when money gets involved.
Dangerous animals in Panama? After 14 year living here. I can say that the Panamanians are the dangerous animals, when money gets involved.
Posted May 31, 2018
Jim Brennanj - DREAM TRAVEL PANAMA
There are dangerous animal all over. I've been here In Panama since 2007 and have never heard or experienced an attack of any kind, shark or otherwise. The only thing I've done was stepped on a sea urchin, which was my fault. Now that was painful! I spend a lot of time all over as a a diver and security consultant. I also own dreamstravelpanama so I have experience to answer this question
There are dangerous animal all over. I've been here In Panama since 2007 and have never heard or experienced an attack of any kind, shark or otherwise. The only thing I've done was stepped on a sea urchin, which was my fault. Now that was painful! I spend a lot of time all over as a a diver and security consultant. I also own dreamstravelpanama so I have experience to answer this question
Posted July 17, 2018