Meet Our Team
The Backbone
ISAAC
Heart of the Diveshop
Isaac is an indispensable member of the Dive Center. He ensures that the facility remains in excellent condition and that all necessary maintenance tasks are completed on time. Additionally, he actively supports the team in all matters, contributing to smooth operations and a positive atmosphere at the Dive Center.
ROMELIA
Chef Cook
Romelia is the angel that prepares our fresh lunch every morning. She ensures that we have a delicious choice between rice with chicken or rice with vegetables, catering to everyone’s preferences. You can thank her in the afternoon, when she receives and washes your gear, so you can feel like you are truly on holiday!
JACOB
Boat Captain
Every morning, Jacob tuckers from the next village where he lives to Santa Catalina to take us to Coiba National Park. Come rain or shine, you can completely relax with this expert in everything related to the ocean and his boat.
MARIO
Boat Assistant
Mario began helping us with some building around the dive shop, but as a seasoned fisherman, he is much happier out on the water. With a constant smile on his face, you will meet Mario when he gets your gear ready for you on the boat, changes your tanks between dives and assist with water entries and exits.
MARCO
Boat Assistant
Marco is an essential assistant on the boat. He starts his day early in the morning to ensure that all necessary equipment is ready for the divers. Onboard, Marco is always ready to help with anything that needs attention, making him a valuable part of the team and ensuring smooth operations during the dives.
ARMANDO
Boat Captain
Armando is one of our boat captains, expertly navigating us safely through the waters of Coiba every day. His experience and attention to detail ensure that our dives run smoothly and safely. Armando’s expertise is a vital support to the team, making every trip a success.
EURIS
Boat Captain
Once one of our marineros, Euris is now proud captain of one of the boats that we use on our trips. Like so many of the Santa Catalina natives, he grew up in and around these waters and is an expert at everything ocean.
MARIO
Boat Captain
Mario is the person that has been with us the longest. As captain of Aracely, we have had hundreds of adventures with him. Like Jacob, he knows the park like the back of his hand and is steadier on his feet on a boat that on land.
ELVIS
Boat Assistant and Tank Filling
Mostly behind the scenes, Elvis has probably filled your tank and maybe serviced your regulator. But, you could also meet him on the boat as an assistant, setting up your gear or, as a PADI Rescue Diver himself, enjoying a dive alongside you.
RUBEN
Tank Filling
Our former operations manager is now mostly out in the water captaining for various operators in town, but if you’re around our shop in the evenings and hear the humming of the compressor, it is most likely him filling the tanks for the next day.
LOLA
Our Most Loyal Companion
An essential part of the dive shop Lola has been with us for the last 4 years and you’ll find her hiding behind the desk, trotting after Sabina or Camilo or coming to you for a snuggles if you’re up for it.
SPLIFFY
Our One-Eyed Pirate
Not scared of anything, Splif can be found sneaking up on you during check in, anywhere near your breakfast, in one of the coffee shops next door, or facing off a bunch of dogs.
Our Fish
Like many people, we fell in love with diving the first time we realized we could breathe under water and that those creatures we‘d seen in the movies really did exist. Even though we never imagined we’d take it this far, our life now is all about helping others have that same experience. In Coiba we have found a truly magical place for both, those first awkward moments under water, and unforgettable memories for the more experienced scuba divers.
SABRINA
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Sabrina is a vibrant PADI instructor with an elegant eagle ray tattoo on her left arm, symbolizing her deep connection to the ocean. With her charming French accent and infectious laughter, she brings joy to every dive, making each one feel like a new adventure.
Trained in the Philippines and influenced by the rich marine life of Asia, Sabrina now explores the waters of the Eastern Pacific, especially the wonders of Coiba. As a patient teacher and keen photographer, she shares her love for both big and small underwater creatures, capturing stunning moments with her camera.
Sabrina’s social nature and enthusiasm for diving make her an approachable and engaging instructor. She’s always ready to entertain, often making divers giggle—even underwater! Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, Sabrina’s passion for the ocean ensures every dive is a memorable experience.
You can speak to Sabrina in French, English and Spanish.
CHRISTINA
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
Christina, Chris, Chrissi – whatever you’d like to call her – is our newest member in the team. She has been traveling and diving around the world for almost 20 years. She was trained in her (so far) favorite country Indonesia and has seen almost everything underwater in Southeast Asia. Her vision for the move to Panama: More ocean! She wants to spend as much time as possible by, on and in the water, preferably not in the form of rain though.
Chris is highly organized, effective and pretty straight forward – in every respect. As a systemic coach, she is also a patient and empathetic instructor and loves working with children.
You can speak to her in German and English and soon in Spanish as well!
CAMILO
PADI Staff Instructor
Camilo is the founder of Panama Dive Center. In 2012, he decided to make a change, leaving behind his “normal” life in Colombia and permanently settling on the shores of the Panamanian Pacific. A hands-on type of guy, Camilo does everything around here administrative work, reception, correspondence, construction and maintenance, equipment repair and a thousand other things. As a Bauer compressor maintenance technician, he pampers, cares for and fixes the center’s most important machine.
Also in the water Camilo guides certified divers, teaches courses (with a special focus on technical courses such as Nitrox, Sidmount and Tec). Above all, the most wonderful thing about Camilo is that he infects everyone around him with his love and passion for diving and life, spreading smiles and good vibes throughout the town.
SABINA
PADI Staff Instructor
Sabina was one of those permanently infected by his charm and, as the avid diver she already was, decided to put an end to her travels and settle in Santa Catalina in 2014. This German/Spanish globetrotter and adventure-loving diver decided to end her English-teaching days, preferring the ocean as a classroom.
On land, Sabina is the driving force of this dive center. She’s the one that makes the magic happen, controls the resources and manages everyone It is thanks to her that the dive center will always be able to operate and that everything needed for smooth running of the shop is always there. She also coordinates the entire internship program for Dive Masters and is the instructor that certifies the most PADI Professionals in Panama. She is also a Freediving instructor and owner of the Panama Freediving company that is slowly turning into the best option to learn about breathing and holding your breath.
