Panama City: Beginner Scuba Dive & GoPro Photos at St. Andrews

Summary

First-time scuba dive in panama city with photos included

You’ll step into shallow waters at St. Andrews in Panama City with a patient PADI instructor guiding every move — no swimming skills needed. Practice breathing underwater, laugh through first wobbly moments with friends or family, and collect GoPro photos to remember it all by. It’s less about skill than letting go for a bit — you might come out feeling lighter too.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the salt in the air — sharp, almost sweet — and the way the sunlight bounced off the water at St. Andrews. We met our instructor right by the pavilions; he waved us over with a grin that made me feel less nervous about not knowing what I was doing. I’d never tried scuba before (honestly, I can barely swim), but he promised that didn’t matter here. The wetsuit felt weirdly tight at first, but after some awkward wriggling and a few laughs from my friends, we were all zipped up and ready for this beginner scuba diving thing.

Our guide started with a safety talk — simple stuff, but I still managed to put my mask on upside down (he didn’t even blink). We practiced breathing underwater just off the shore, maybe three feet deep. It’s wild how loud your own bubbles sound when you’re under there; it’s like being inside your head and outside it at the same time. The water was cooler than I expected, and every so often a tiny fish would dart past my hand. He checked on each of us constantly, giving little thumbs-ups or gently tapping our shoulders if we looked lost.

I kept thinking I’d panic once we went deeper, but honestly? It felt peaceful — just slow movements and muffled sounds, like floating inside a blue dream. My friend tried to say something through her regulator (no idea what), which made both of us laugh so hard we had to resurface for a second. Our instructor caught it all on his GoPro — apparently my “underwater dance” is now immortalized forever. We stayed down as long as our air lasted; time got weird down there.

Afterward, sitting on the sand peeling off wetsuits with shaky hands and salt-dried hair, I felt lighter somehow. Maybe it was relief or maybe just being part of something new together. If you’ve ever wondered about beginner scuba diving in Panama City but worried you’d mess it up — honestly, don’t overthink it. You’ll probably surprise yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Beginner scuba diving experience

• Check in 15 minutes before tour
• Meet instructor at St. Andrews pavilions
• Attend safety briefing
• Practice basic skills in shallow water
• Start scuba dive with instructor
• Download GoPro videos and photos

Top questions

Do I need swimming experience for this beginner scuba diving activity?

No swimming skills are required for this tour; beginners are welcome.

Where does the scuba diving take place in Panama City?

The dive is at St. Andrews State Park Jetties public area pavilions.

Is equipment provided for the Panama City beginner scuba dive?

Yes, all necessary scuba gear is included in your booking.

Are photos or videos included in this activity?

Complimentary GoPro videos and photos are provided during your dive.

What is the minimum age for this Panama City scuba diving tour?

The minimum age requirement is 10 years old.

How early should I arrive before my scheduled dive time?

Please check in 15 minutes prior to your booked tour time at the dive site.

Is lunch or hotel pickup included in this tour?

No lunch or hotel pickup is included; meet directly at St. Andrews pavilions.

Can people with health conditions join this beginner dive?

Certain health conditions may prevent participation; check requirements before booking.

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary SCUBA equipment provided on-site, plus free GoPro videos and photos of your group’s best moments underwater to download after the dive—just bring your towel and smartphone to save them before heading home.