Panama, Palau, Belize, Philippines: Undercurrent 02/2025

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Dive trips are always filled with unusual and unexpected moments, mostly welcome, but some annoying or disheartening. By filing reader reports, our readers provide excellent information to aid others in planning dive trips. I always find some tidbits I think might interest just about any diver, even if not planning a trip, so here are a few I've selected this month.

Panama's Coiba National Park doesn't get much attention from American divers - maybe because it's on the Pacific side. Our reviewers and reader reports over the years have given it high marks. In December, Richard P. Tucker (Sacramento, CA) had nothing but good things to say: "The Ark Divers is an off-the-grid micro-eco resort a hillside above Pixvae, close to the national park. It's fantastic. Guests stay in one of three modern solar-powered cabanas with panoramic views of the Contreras Islands. The spacious rooms have quality linens, a private bath, and daily service. There were only five guests total while we were there. The vocalizations of howler monkeys in the nearby jungle greeted us at sunrise each morning. In the lodge, co-owner Audrey served phenomenal breakfasts and dinners featuring locally sourced fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat . . . The first dive was typically 65-70 feet for 50-55 minutes, followed by a surface interval on a nearby beach where we had snacks prepared by Audrey. The second dive had a similar profile, followed by a wonderful lunch on a different little palm-lined beach. The third dive was often a little shallower. Water was a comfortable 81°-84°F. I saw sharks and turtles almost every dive, and eels (big green morays, starry morays, jewel morays, and tiger snake eels) were plentiful. I saw a hefty bull shark and lazy white tips hung around almost every corner. Fish life was abundant, and the corals were healthy. The dives reminded us of Hawaii since big volcanic rocks were prominently featured. The seas were filled with schools of jacks and barracudas. An unforgettable week!" www.thearkdivers.com...

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