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Panama City Scuba Diving: Beginner-Friendly Tour

4.7

127 Ratings

Lower Grand Lagoon

Experience the thrill of scuba diving in Panama City with our beginner-friendly tour. No swimming skills or previous experience required. Dive into the local marine environment and capture your best moments with complimentary GoPro videos and photos.

Duration: 2 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Saint Andrews Park Road - CHECK-IN time is 15 MIN prior to your tour time at the DIVE SITE. \nRemove any foundation/makeup/sunscreen from your face prior to arrival. Thank you!\n\nRequirements:\n - Must be in reasonable physical and mental health\n - Must be at least 10 years old\n\nINCLUDED: All necessary gear \nFREE Videos \nNO EXPERIENCE NEEDED \nNO SWIMMING SKILLS NEEDED \nNO CERTIFICATE NEEDED \n\nWHAT TO EXPECT: \nYour Dive Instructor will meet you at the St. Andrews State Park Jetties public area pavilions, located at the end of the parking lot. \nFirst, he will starts with a safety breafing to introduce you the fundamentals of scuba diving. Next, he will proceed to the shore diving site and teach you some basic diving skills in shallow water(3ft). When you get comfortable breathing underwater, and become familiar with the safety skills, then the scuba dive begins. The duration of the activity depends on group size, water comfort level, performance and air consumption.\nYour Instructor will make sure you are comfortable, carefree, safe, and you are having unforgettable time during your tour.\n\nWhat to bring:\n- TOWEL\n- SMART PHONE (‘Quik’ app) - to download your GoPro pictures and videos\n- CASH to tip your instructor

What's Included

SCUBA equipment provided
Professional instructor-led dives
All required gear included
Safety briefing and orientation
Underwater photography available
Lunch and refreshments provided
Transport to dive sites
Marine park fees included
Small group sizes for personalized experience
Exotic marine life encounters

What's Not Included

Gratuities
Parking fee $8

Additional Information

For those eager to venture underwater for the first time, our Try Diving Activity tour presents the perfect opportunity. Enjoy the added perk of FREE GoPro videos and photos capturing your most captivating moments. No prior acquaintance with swimming or diving is needed. Immersed in the local marine habitat, gain a hands-on experience of scuba diving basics, facilitated by a certified PADI Instructor, in the relaxed environment of your own social circle. Discover the fascinating world beneath the water’s surface with the assurance of all essential diving equipment provided as part of the package.

All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire 1 day prior to your tour. Some pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, heart/back surgery may prevent you from diving.
Flying up to 12 hours post diving is not recommended.

Location

Saint Andrews Park Road

For your ease copy GPS coordinates: 30.125381, -85.732840 in Google maps (NOT Apple maps) Arrive at the gate station. Drive straight until a 3-stop intersection. Turn right. After you pass the alligator pond, look for a sign "BEACHES JETTY USE", turn left and park. Check the public area pavilions.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.7

(127 Ratings)

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91pebblesb

Jun 11, 2024

Great - Our guide was awesome and made sure we understood and had a great time! Highly recommend Malin as your guide!! He was a joy to dive with. Definitely will try to request him in the future!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

David_p

Jun 10, 2024

Great experience - The instructor was very personable. Extremely friendly. And patient. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience when recommended to anyone. It was simple and easy to follow the instructions. And we got to see some really cool things. If you go, make sure you stay really, really close to the rocks. The more I looked into the little coves and the holes in the rocks the more interesting things I saw. Staying out on the sand area and just looking in misses whole bunch.

Review provided by Viator

Jennifer_r

Jun 9, 2024

Great customer service - Due to local dangerous marine life concerns, we had to cancel the dive. However, the captain called and was great to work with and provide a refund due to extreme circumstances. He was great to work with and when I come back in future years, I plan on booking with him. Fantastic customer service!

Review provided by Viator

Jason_f

Jun 5, 2024

Outstanding - This was a fantastic experience! Malin was exceptionally patient, especially when my wife and daughters were panicked at the beginning. Everything was well explained and demonstrated and we saw some great marine life. Would definitely recommend this experience to anyone wanting to try it out.

Review provided by Viator

Compass714430

Jun 1, 2024

Excellent for beginners & children!! - Excellent! Malin M. Was extremely professional, safe and great with my children. I recommend 110%!! We are on a family vacation with 3 children and this course was fantastic for everyone involved!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Tonya_b

May 31, 2024

Great dive. - Malin, was excellent. We had the best time. He was patient and understanding when my wife couldn't continue.

Review provided by Viator

Lonnie_m

May 31, 2024

Loved it such experience... - Loved it such experience sweet instructor very professional and safe. Definitely something I would do again

Review provided by Viator

Eshwaraprasath_r

May 27, 2024

Definitely worth it for beginners - My wife and I wanted to try out scuba diving for the very first time and we had a wonderful experience with Malin. He was very patient with us and guided us through the training process before we took the dive. We got to see a lot of fishes and took several pictures. Overall we had a great time and wish it lasted longer.

Review provided by Viator

455pratibham

Jun 7, 2024

Waste of time,Money - Risky for Novice and non swimmers - instructor is not helpful & insults if you don't get technique - The listing clearly says that "No swimming skills or previous experience is required" and that is what I went on. I even gave the instructor a heads-up that I did not know swimming. He said he would see how I perform and send me back if I did not look good. (Thank you for the vote of confidence when you are selling your activity to non-swimmers) Anyhow, we were a short group of 4 - Myself, My son and two other girls. So not a big lot group and instructor could have given me some time to help me with technique and confidence. I was by myself falling behind because I could not figure out how to navigate myself underwater. My teenage son came back for me a few times to check on me and help me move forward. The instructor was way ahead of us with other swimmer girls. I finally gave up not because I got scared but because I didn't want to put my son's life and experience at risk. I floated myself up and told the instructor that I was not confident. He asked my to walk back to Pavilion and he moved on with the activity. What pissed me off was his statement after the group returned 15-20 minutes before 2hr mark and said - YOU WERE DOING GOOD. You should have pushed through. Next time book a private session and I will teach you how to navigate underwater. I was like - in your dreams. Why are you all selling this activity to non-swimmers/first-timers and leaving them alone underwater after insulting them that they are not getting the hang of the technique? I think the answer is to sell PRIVATE SESSIONS and rake in more $$. Mention clearly that some basic swimming skills are required. And for heaven's sake teach your instructors some empathy and teaching skills. My point is how can you not give attention to a novice in a small group of 4? The instructor was clearly not interested in his job.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Waal_a