WITH THE “GENTE DE MAR” CREW
-2027 DATES-
MAY 2-5 SANTA CATALINA TO PANAMA CITY SAIL AND DIVE (SOLD OUT) · MAY 6-10 (SOLD OUT) · MAY 11-15 (SOLD OUT) · MAY 16-20 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · MAY 21-25 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · MAY 26-30 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · MAY 31-JUNE 4 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · JUNE 5-9 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · JUNE 10-13 SANTA CATALINA TO PANAMA CITY SAIL AND DIVE (6 SPOTS AVAILABLE)
-2027 DATES- MAY 2-5 SANTA CATALINA TO PANAMA CITY SAIL AND DIVE (SOLD OUT) · MAY 6-10 (SOLD OUT) · MAY 11-15 (SOLD OUT) · MAY 16-20 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · MAY 21-25 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · MAY 26-30 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · MAY 31-JUNE 4 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · JUNE 5-9 (FIVE SPOTS AVAILABLE) · JUNE 10-13 SANTA CATALINA TO PANAMA CITY SAIL AND DIVE (6 SPOTS AVAILABLE)
FIVE DAY SPEARFISHING ADVENTURE IN
Our five-day spearfishing adventure takes you aboard an 80-foot steel-hulled schooner to the yellowfin tuna grounds surrounding Panama’s legendary Hannibal Bank. Dive with experienced guides, capture the trip with professional photos and video, and enjoy fresh meals made with locally sourced ingredients and fish that was swimming that morning.
PACIFIC PANAMA TUNA COUNTRY
-NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY-
EXPLORE THE WATERS AROUND A TINY ISLAND 60 miles off the coast of panama.
wake to the sun and live off the land. freedive the open ocean stalking schools of giant pacific yellowfin tuna.
Come see why they call this place “jurassic park” and discover one of the most remote places on earth!
TARGET SPECIES
YELLOWFIN TUNA
DORADO
CUBERA SNAPPER
wahoo
If adventure runs through your veins, this trip is for you.
Our 80-foot steel-hulled ketch is more than just transportation — it is your home base for five days in one of the wildest stretches of the Pacific. With wide-open deck space, air-conditioned cabins, freshwater showers, and plenty of room to unwind after a long day in the water, the boat gives us the freedom to live right in the middle of the action.
Far offshore, surrounded by remote islands and open ocean, the landscape feels almost prehistoric. It is raw, beautiful, isolated, and alive.
Living aboard allows us to stay mobile and make decisions day by day based on conditions, fish movement, and where the best opportunities are developing. That flexibility means more time in the water and less time traveling back and forth from shore.
The diving is built around exploration and bluewater hunting. Yellowfin tuna are the main attraction, but these waters also hold wahoo, snapper, grouper, jacks, and other pelagic and reef species. Every day brings a different location, different conditions, and a different opportunity.
Our experienced crew handles the logistics, navigation, guiding, safety, meals, and day-to-day operation of the vessel so you can focus on diving, hunting, and enjoying the experience.
At the end of the day, we return to the mothership, trade stories on deck, and settle in for a fresh meal prepared aboard. Fish from the day’s hunt may go straight from the ocean to the galley, making dinner part of the experience itself.
This region is internationally known for giant yellowfin tuna, and for many divers it represents the opportunity to encounter — and potentially spear — the biggest fish of their lives.
THE VESSELS
FEATURES:
Built in 1965.
Meticulously maintained with upgrades over the years
Safe + stable liveaboard for our divers with spacious main deck
Twin 20 cubic deck freezers for storing processed fish
The bow has a 15’ pulpit for enjoying the views,
watching dolphins, and fishing while at anchor
Fresh water system for showers and rinsing gear
Plenty of safe and secure gear storage
4 private cabins for clients with bunks
Air-conditioned below (forward and aft unit)
*There is absolutely no cell service once offshore. STARLINK MAY BE AVAILABLE INTERMITTENTLY. We have satellite phone available for $5 per minute. While we do have supplies on board, we suggest you bring your own sunscreen, headlamp, large hat, long pants, long sleeves, socks, shoes, buffs, and sunglasses.
The Tuna chaser -35’ Caribe pro
· Twin 2023 Yamaha 150’s
· FORTUNO Radar
· Garmin GPSMAP Fishfinder with twin 16” HD touchscreens
· 6 hydralic seaspension seats
· Twin live wells
· Handheld radio
· JL stereo system
· Epirb and Garmin in reach
· First aid, trauma kit
· Bow leaning post for casting
· Custom setup for the style of diving we do here in Panama.
DAILY MEALS
with local sourced ingredients and your catch of the day
EXPERIENCED GUIDE
AND PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
THE FISH
put you on
and record each moment
ENJOY SOME VIDEOS BELOW FROM OUR PAST TRIPS
TRIP PRICING
INCLUDES
Five days accommodations on the Sail La Vie
Four days of diving to land your dream fish
Experienced Captains and Guides
Private chef
Photo/Video package
All food and drinks including alchohol (limited supply of beer, wine and rum if requested)
Personal reusable water bottles
35’ center consol for fishing and exploration
Bait
NOT INCLUDED
Airfare and transportation to Santa Catalina
Fish processing service to bring catch home (+$1.50 per pound)
Crew gratuities (appreciated never expected)
Starting at $3800/diver
*based on 5 divers, 4 diver trip is $4500 per person
THE BOATS
80’ mother ship with three private cabins and bunks. Air-conditioned, freshwater showers, 2 heads.
35’ Center Consol equipped with vhf radio, Garmin fish finder and gps, Fortuno radar, jl audio system, livewells, hydraulic seats, first aid/ trauma kit, epirb, in-reach and more.
Experienced panamanian captains
Guided spearfishing + photo service
Guide with 10 + years experience hunting these waters PLus over 15 years guiding with focus on safety
professional photographer/ videographer whose images have been featured in various fishing publications, websites, productions, and advertisements.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND AMENITIES
all food and drink is included. Three meals a day plus snacks. Water and soft drink (gatorade, fresh local juices, sodas) Alcohol upon request (2 cases beer, 2 bottles rum + wine)
extra nights before or after trip available at a discounted rate. Enjoy surfing the world class waves out front or guided inshore spearfishing trips to cebaco island as well as other land based and boat excursions.
extras
mask, snorkel, freedive fins, 3mm wetsuit, weight belt and dive knife rental package : $175 per trip. Must know in advance
dive weights provided at no additional charge
inshore and blue water speargun rentals available ($50/day)
3atm float and 100ft bungee rental ($25/day)
EXTRAS
-
EXTRAS -
RENTALS
Freedive Gear
TRAVEL LIGHT - RENT THE GEAR
RENTALS
ULUSUB SPEARGUN
155 and 170 BLUEWATER GUNS
WAVES!!
and yes we get
ASK ABOUT SURF OPTIONS
OUR CREW
Our crew has spent more than 12 years refining this experience and building what we believe is one of the premier bluewater spearfishing trips in the world.
Please note that not every crew member will be on every trip. Throughout the season, our team rotates schedules to stay rested, focused, and operating at the highest level for every group.
MEET THE CREW
ANTHONY “EL SQUID” DOOLEY
Fascinated by travel and life below the surface, Anthony began as a surf photographer in the late 90s. Since then, he has traveled through much of western Europe, Africa, Asia and Central America documenting cultures and lifestyle. Anthony’s current work consists of freediving, spearfishing and general underwater photography.
Presently based in Rincon, Puerto Rico, Anthony works as staff photographer for FII Waterman Survival Training and serves as a spearfishing guide with Life Below the Surface Spearfishing Expeditions where he guides for world class fish in Panama, Puerto Rico, Alaska and the PNW.
His work has been featured in HAWAIIAN SKIN DIVER, SPEARFISHING, APNEA, THE INERTIA, COASTAL ANGLER and ONE BREATH Magazines.
GUIDE + PHOTOGRAPHER
MEET THE CREW
Gabe Campoverde
Gabe joined the Life Below the Surface family in 2021 and has been guiding bluewater trips in Puerto Rico and Panama ever since. When he's not submerged in pursuit of wahoo or tuna, you'll find Gabe fearlessly navigating remote blue water slabs or getting barreled out in front of his house. His unwavering attention to detail and smooth concentration in the water ensure the safety of everyone under his watch during each dive. Gabe's genuine passion for his craft and natural instinct for the hunt shines through as he goes above and beyond to ensure his clients are getting the shots on some big fish. Gabe's contagious stoke makes any trip he is on an epic adventure that always end with loads of laughs and a cooler full of fish.
GUIDE + PHOTOGRAPHER
MEET THE CREW
CAPTAIN JUAN
Captain Juan, our fearless leader. Since the early days of his youth when he stowed away from his native Venezuela aboard a trans-Atlantic voyage, the sea has run through his veins. He has sailed through most of the worlds oceans and has spent more time on sea than land. Juan is a plethora of knowledge and conversations are never dull with this modern day Hemingway.
Always keen to share his knowledge of sailing and navigation with clients, be prepared at a moments notice to take the helm or hoist the mainsail. The host with the most, Captain Juan is the glue that holds the Gente Del Mar crew together and the heartbeat of the “Brujulea”. He is the type of character you will be telling stories about years after your trip aboard his ship.
MEET THE CREW
eric “MAUI'“
Known lovingly as Maui, Chef Eric has been whipping up Michelin worthy meals for the Gente Del Mar crew since the begginning. His sea travels have taken him trans-Atlantic and Pacific and he has cooked meals in every far flung corner of the world for everyone from the common tourists to the likes of Royalty, Movie stars and Professional Athletes. He has also logged countless hours on the “Sail La Vie” and can fix ANYTHING.
His infectious smile is a staple aboard and Eric goes above and beyond to make sure every guest that steps foot on his ship has the time of their life.
FIRST MATE + CHEF EXTROADANAIRE
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CONTACT US
LIFE BELOW THE SURFACE L.L.C PANAMA LIVEABOARDS
CANCELLATION POLICY
Deposit:
Initial Deposit: A non-refundable 25% deposit is required to reserve your spot on the boat. Final Payment: The remaining balance is due no later than 30 days prior to the departure date and is non refundable unless Trip Protection was purchased.
Trip Protection Coverage (Optional Add-On)
Guests who purchase Trip Protection may: Cancel or reschedule up to 14 days before the trip Receive a full refund for cancellations, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. *Trip Protection must be selected at the time of booking and is non-refundable.
Refund Policy:
Full refund (excluding the non-refundable deposit) will be issued if the cancellation is made 60 or more days prior to the scheduled trip departure date.
No refund will be issued for cancellations made less than 60 days before the trip departure date.
If Life Below the Surface cancels due to unsafe weather, mechanical issues, or other circumstances preventing the trip, guests may choose to reschedule or receive a full refund. If the trip is able to run, the standard cancellation policy applies. No-shows and same-day cancellations are non-refundable
Rescheduling is treated the same as a cancellation and is subject to the cancellation policy.
Additional Notes
We operate in dynamic ocean conditions and locations may occasionally change. Final trip details, including departure location, will be confirmed prior to your trip.
Gear Responsibility & Replacement Policy – Bluewater Spearfishing
All spearfishing equipment provided by Life Below the Surface is high-performance, professional-grade gear and must be handled with care. Participants are financially responsible for any lost, damaged, or unrecoverable equipment during their charter.
Replacement charges are as follows:
• Speargun shaft: $75
• Slip tip: $125
• Ulusub 155/170 speargun (full replacement if lost or unrecoverable): $1,300
These charges reflect replacement cost and will be charged to the card on file in the event gear is lost or cannot be retrieved.
By participating in this activity, you acknowledge and accept responsibility for the proper use and care of all equipment provided.
Payment Schedule:
Full payment for the trip is due 30 days before departure.
Failure to submit full payment by this deadline may result in the cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of your deposit.
Please review this policy carefully.
By making a reservation with us, you acknowledge and agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined above.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Life Below the Surface L.L.C reserves the right to modify or update this cancellation policy at any time without prior notice.
