Unbelievable Deep
Sea Diving!
This is adventure diving at its best! Experience some of the
least explored, yet exciting diving in the world. Be on the lookout for
dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays and sharks.
The pristine water and the unspoiled coral reefs,
which attract over 200 species of reef and game fish, will amaze you.
Off the island of Los Ladrones curious King
Angels, Moorish Idols, Black Jacks, Blennies and Yellow-tailed Surgeon Fish
often greet you. The reefs of this area are decorated with large
delicate fan corals of various colors and dainty yellow cup corals. Snappers,
shy Puffers, Pacific Box Fish and Green Moray Eels will delight you at every
turn.
With over 1600 tropical islands the underwater
magic of this area is still relatively untouched by the general diving public.
We will take you to a variety of dive sites with depths ranging from 20-120
feet. |
Explore the colorful reefs of Coiba Island, the deep water diving
over Hannibal Bank and the many islands of the Gulf of Chiriqui. The
pinnacles and underwater seamounts with their sheer rock drop-offs capture the
many mysteries found in the pristine waters of Panama. Arrival in Panama City
After your arrival to Panama's
Tocumen International Airport, a shuttle or taxi will be waiting to transfer you
to your prearranged hotel in Panama City.
Panama City is the capital of the
Republic of Panama, a hub of trade and commerce and an international banking
center. As the crossroads of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, via the Panama
Canal, this area opens up a multitude of diverse activities for you to enjoy
during you stay. We highly suggest that you extend your holiday in Panama to
enjoy the many wonders this splendid country has to offer.
Tour Panama City, traverse the
canal, or spend some extra time in this area around David exploring rain and
cloud forests and the Baru Volcano. Go river rafting, bird watching, shopping or
enjoy the local restaurants. |
Take advantage of the many possibilities you have
to delve into in this newly awakened country.
For more information on eco-tours
and Panama, contact the M/V Coral Star office. If you plan on extending your
stay in Panama, we will contact Startlite Travel which is located in Panama to
set you up with additional sightseeing and tour options.
Diving Itinerary
The following information is intended to give
you a general guideline of what to expect during your days aboard the M/V Coral
Star diving the Hannibal Bank, Coiba and adjacent islands. In no way
should it be construed as gospel, since there are too many variables.
Coiba National Park, Panama, Two Oceans Expedition, Special Research Diving Expeditions
We will, however, try to follow
this outline as closely as possible. Please keep in mind this itinerary
includes our hotel and "in-country" air transfer package. |
Day One
After an evening at your hotel in
Panama City, the next morning you'll catch a taxi or the pre-arranged
transportation to the regional airport to meet your flight to David, Panama.
(You must be there one hour prior to your departure time so give yourself ample
time due to the city traffic.) Please keep in mind that the security
in the Panamanian Airports is very thorough so don't be offended or lose your
patience while security officers completely check all baggage. We highly suggest
limiting your luggage due to excess baggage charges.
After an enjoyable one-hour flight
across the Panamanian countryside and upon arrival in David, Panama, you will be
greeted by a M/V Coral Star representative. Typically by 10:00 am, we will
depart to the seaport of Pedregal to board the M/V Coral Star. The M/V Coral
Star must depart the Port of Pedregal at the closest high tide to departure, due
to the depth of the Chiriqui River which we travel to exit the port. This is a
very pleasurable ride, meandering through the river spotting parrots, monkeys
and variety of boats along the way. |
Upon boarding the M/V Coral Star you
will be given a cold drink and snack, while all the necessary forms are filled
out and your luggage is placed in your stateroom.
Thereafter you will be briefed
on the specifics of the vessel, the do's, don'ts and how-to's. After finishing
an enjoyable lunch and preparing your dive gear, we will continue our journey to
our anchorage for the evening. Depending on time of boarding, we may have
the chance to get a late afternoon check-out dive done before dark. The islands
surrounding the region are typically uninhabited and offer flowers, forests and
secluded beaches.
Day Two through Day Six
Breakfast is served from 7:00 - 8:00
am with dive departure promptly by 8:30. Lunch is served between 12:00 and 1:00
pm. Happy hour is around 5:30 pm featuring a daily drink and hors d'oeuvres
special. Dinner is served around 7:00 pm, either outside or in the dining area
of the ship. All meals are prepared by our excellent chef and there is a chance
there will be a fresh catch of the day for dinner no matter what else is being
served. |
After dinner activities include
board games, slide shows, movies, reading, listening/dancing to music at the
Fantail Bar or choosing from three separate decks to just relax and gaze at the
never ending array of stars.
If you are looking for a diversion
during one of you days of diving, enjoy fishing, sea kayaking, snorkeling or
exploring the many beaches and tropical rain forests on uninhabited islands
filled with flora, fauna and wildlife.
One of the highlights of our trip
will be a stop at Coiba National Park and its adjacent islands: Isla De
Contreras, Isla Jicaron and Isla Jicarita. After arriving ashore at Park
Headquarters and park permits have been issues, you may want to go on a tour of
the island trails with a Park Ranger to look for Howler Monkeys and Scarlet
Macaws. Personnel of INREUARE, the governmental environmental
agency, will explain the most interesting aspects of the islands ecology at
their Research Center. On Coiba, as with any National Park, take only
photographs and leave only footprints. |
