Reservation Guidelines (pdf format - please read before booking)

DAY 1

At 6:30am you will be met by our representative/guide at the arranged meeting points at hotels in Panama City.  Our representative/guide will accompany you on the coach ride to Puerto Mutis, a small inter-tidal river port in the province of Veraguas. This journey takes around 3.5 hours.
On arrival, a 30 minute transfer by tender to MV. Yemaya, at anchor amongst the ancient mangrove forests of the Gulf of Montijo, a RAMSAR Site, recognized for its international importance for Marine Birds.

Once aboard, we set sail for our first destination, the Park Ranger Station on Coiba Island.
During this cruise, lunch will be served.  You will have time to settle into your cabin, prepare your dive and camera equipment. We will introduce our crew and deliver briefings on safety aboard MV. Yemaya and an introduction to the dive deck and dive program aboard.

Check Out Dive/S

Our afternoon check out dive/dives will be at sites at Frijoles or Isla Rancheria, in the heart of the Coiba National Park. These dives will give you opportunity to test your dive gear, weighting and camera system, and an insight to ocean conditions and the beauty and abundance of the marine environment of the Coiba and Gulf of Chiriquí region.
We take the time on these dives to prepare for a great week of diving.

DAY 2

Pinnacles And Reefs Of Northern Coiba Island And Isla Rancheria
4 dives are programmed for our first full day, taking in two of the Coiba National Park’s signature dive sites in the morning, before moving to an inshore sight for the afternoon dive, which will also be our night dive destination.  An opportunity to encounter, white tip shark, turtles, schooling rays, frog fish and sea horses along with many schools of reef and pelagic fish.

DAY 3

Pinnacles And Reefs Of Isla Canales De Afuera
Early AM we will pick up anchor and move MV. Yemaya to the idyllic natural lagoon formed by the Islands of Canales de Afuera.  Two mornings pinnacle dives, followed by an afternoon and night dive on one of the islands numerous reefs. These islands are frequented by Giant Mantas and Devil Rays.

DAY 4

Pinnacles And Sea Mounts Of The Archipelago Of Contrearas
Early morning we will pick up anchor and cruise north to the islands of Contreras.
Two morning dives on sea mounts, followed by an afternoon dive on one of the islands many shallower pinnacles. Returning to the same site in the evening for our night dive.  These sites are a fisherman’s dream, an abundance of large schooling fish and frequented by Bull and Hammerhead Shark. Sites are decorated with sea fans and marine sponges.

DAY 5

Hannibal Bank And The Sea Mounts And Pinnacles Of Punta Hermosa
Early morning we pick up anchor and head south to the western shores of Coiba Island.
Our choice of destination will depend on weather and ocean conditions. If weather and ocean conditions permit, we will make a drift dive over one of the world’s most famous sea mounts, the Hannibal Bank. The shallowest point of the bank is 150 ft / 45 mts, dropping abruptly to over 6000 ft / 1800 mts. We will stay with recreational dive limits and drift along the shallowest point. From here we dive the dramatic pinnacles of the western coast.  Large schools of Barracuda form chimneys around divers. Giant Amber Jack and Snapper, White Tip and the occasional Galapagos and Tiger Shark frequent this area.

DAY 6

Sea Mounts And Pinnacles Of Jicaron And Jicarita
The mysterious islands of Jicaron and Jicarita offer encounters with schools of Tuna and Cubera Snapper and huge schools of reef fish. This area has an amazing abundance of corals, sponges, sea fans and marine life and   frequented by Scalloped Hammerheads.
The 2 morning dives are on pinnacles close to the drop off, followed by an afternoon dive on a shallower pinnacle.

DAY 7

The Islands of Jicarron and Jicarrita
We will finish the weeks diving on the islands jagged off shore pinnacles, walls and extensive coral reefs.  Back aboard MV Yemaya, we will pull up anchor and head back on a sunset cruise to the calm waters of Isla Cebaco and the Gulf of Montijo.

DAY 8

After an early breakfast aboard, our crew will transfer you and your luggage in our skiffs back to Puerto Mutis, where you will be met by our representative and guide who will accompany you on the return trip by coach back to Panama City.

Daily Dive Schedule

Dives 1 and 2 departing at 8am and 11am, returning to mother ship between dives.
Dive 3, departing at 2.30pm, return to mother ship.
Dive 4 (Night Dive) departs 6:30pm. Returning for dinner.
(See Dive Sites Map section in the main menu for more information)

NOTE:
We always endeavour to stick to our expedition agenda. However for safety, sea state and weather conditions or on the advice of the National Parks administration, certain destinations could change throughout the week.

We suggest you arrive in Panama at least one day before vessel departure. You will be met at Tocumen International Airport by our representative and transported to your hotel. You will be able to enjoy the cafes, restaurants, bars and night life of this bustling Latin city. The following day we collect our guests from 2 pickup points at Panama City hotels and depart for Puerto Mutis. The coach ride will give you an opportunity to observe some of Panama’s spectacular scenery of lush green mountains and forests.

Panama City is enjoying a boom in tourism. As a consequence of this, the earlier you book the greater possibility exists to confirm accommodation in one of the cities centrally located hotels.

If hotels are full, we will provide other accommodation of same standard in or outside Panama City.
Many tour operators in Panama are now renting private apartments as an alternative to hotel rooms.
Apartments are well equipped, clean and comfortable have, private bath and all amenities and are centrally located.

Included in trip:
Prices published  are per person and  are based on two people sharing a cabin.
•    Ground transportation from Tocumen International Airport to hotel
•    One night’s stay in 3 star category hotels.
•    Transportation by coach to Puerto Mutis, Province of Veraguas.
•    7 night expedition cruise aboard MV. Yemaya,  including  all meals and non-alcoholic drinks;
•    Dive master service;
•    Seven days of action-packed diving with three to four dives per day.
•    Tanks, Air fills and Weights.
•    Use of Kayaks and Snorkelling equipment aboard.
•    All land trips in the Coiba National Park.
•    Return transfer by coach from Puerto Mutis to Panama City.
•    We accept Travellers Cheques and Cash aboard. Unfortunately we do not accept Credit Cards aboard at this time.

Not included:
•    Meals and drinks in hotel first night.
•    Nitrox Fills Package ($100 per person per Expedition)
•    Coiba National Park Entrance fees are $20 per person.
(These fees are used to improve facilities, vigilance and the conservation of the park.  Park fees are subject to change without prior notice)
•    Alcoholic beverages are for sale aboard at very reasonable prices however guests are welcome to bring their own.
•    Tips. We leave this entirely to our guest’s digression.
(Note) Coiba National Park fees are subject to change.