8 days • Bocas del Toro, Panama • Ages 19 and up • $3, 450 USD

Discover the natural wonders of Panama by scuba diving tropical Caribbean waters. 

Travel to the island of Solarte in the famous Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro to begin earning your NAUI Basic or Advanced Scuba Diver certification. Learn how to ready your equipment, write out dive tables, and read underwater signals while discovering spectacular tropical coral reefs, sunken ships, and catamarans on the ocean floor. For those who are already scuba certified, earn your advanced certification by participating in special dives including a compass navigation dive and deep dive. After earning your certification, enjoy a celebratory bioluminescent night snorkel or dive—wave your hands and glide through the waters as thousands of magical bioluminescent lights illuminate your path.

Immerse yourself in Caribbean culture and work alongside your coursemates as you cook with local ingredients and learn about the Panamanian way of life. Additional activities on this course include spotting elusive sloths at Sloth Island and testing your balance wakeboarding and kneeboarding.

Dates:   June 22 – July 6, 2023

Cost:     $3, 450 USD  |  £1,509 GBP  |  C$2,319 CAD  |  €1,778 EUR

Please note the original course prices are set in U.S. Dollars (USD). Prices above are shown for your reference, based on the exchange rate of the last website update on Aug. 19, 2022. The final course price will be based on the exchange rate at the time of payment

PLEASE NOTE: This is a sample itinerary. Details are subject to change.

Day 1

Fly to Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) where you will be greeted by our staff and driven to our rainforest base in San Ramón de Tres Ríos, Cartago Province. Meet your newfound friends and coursemates, instructors, and participate in a “duffle shuffle” to prepare all you need for course. Overnight in furnished dorms.

Day 2

Wake early and enjoy a drive through the lush mountains and valleys of southern Costa Rica to cross the Panama border. Take a boat ride to your picturesque island home in the Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro and begin your first shallow water lesson on scuba diving to learn about the equipment, breathing techniques, and safety procedures. Settle in, cook a delicious dinner, and watch the sunset over the tranquil waters. Overnight camping at our island home on Isla Solarte.

Day 3-4

Take your first dive in deeper waters to explore the wildlife and colorful reefs that surround these Caribbean islands. Continue to build on your diving skills as you glide and explore new coral reefs, sunken catamarans and shipwrecks. If you are already certified, earn your advanced certification by completing special dives including a compass navigation dive and a deep water dive. Later, take a break from your scuba studies to cruise around Sloth Island for elusive sloth sightings. Then, hone in your wakeboarding or kneeboarding skills through the calm island waters. Overnight camping at our island home on Isla Solarte.

Day 5

Finish up your last study session in preparation for your scuba exams. Take your practical and written exam toward earning your scuba diving certification. Once the sun sets, enjoy a celebratory bioluminescent night snorkel or dive—waving your hands and gliding through the waters as thousands of magical bioluminescent lights illuminate your path. Overnight camping at our island home on Isla Solarte.

Day 6

In the morning, enjoy your last scuba dive session to explore the magnificent coral reefs around this island paradise; learn about many of the fascinating animals and plants that make their home on the reef. Then begin the journey back to our Costa Rica rainforest base. Arrive back at the rainforest base in San Ramón de Tres Ríos. Overnight in furnished dorms.

Day 7

Receive a quick COVID-19 test for your departure back home tomorrow! Results will be sent to our office this same day, and each participant will be given a printed copy of the results. Celebrate all of your achievements on course with a group reflection and a delicious final dinner. 

Day 8

Transition to your next course or transfer to the Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) for departure. Say hasta luego to your friends and coursemates. ¡Nos vemos pronto en Costa Rica!

Accommodation

Accommodation varies throughout this course, but will include overnight tent camping under a traditional thatched-roof lodge and community dorm room bunk beds. All participants are provided sleeping mats and sleeping bags.

Due to the short nature of this course, service hours are likely to be minimal. If there is opportunity, service may include clearing waterways of debris or refurbishing/building recreational equipment for schools.