Information about and principles of the Hippocampus Divers Club

1.  Purpose

The purpose of the club is to promote swimming, snorkeling and diving as a form of physical exercise as well as enjoying and watching out for the ocean. The club also aims to teach local children and young people how to swim and to introduce them to the ocean as something fantastic. The association is open to all other water sports as well as anti-pollution activities, underwater photography, underwater biology, oceanography, etc., as long as resources are available.

Scuba diving has top priority. Diving trips will take place every Saturday at 9 am and - if there are enough members - at 2 pm. The member who is provided with 2 scuba tanks per dive trip is entitled to at least 2 dive trips per month. If the boat capacity allows it, a third dive trip can be added. This extra possibility will be announced in the whatsapp group (see below) and distributed fairly among the members by the managers of the association.

2. Location of the Hippocampus Divers Club

The office of the Hippocampus Divers Club is located on Avenida Norte (next to Lil's Spa). The office is only open at previously announced times. All club activities will start from Besamé (diving trips) or take place there (other club activities).

3. Membership

A membership in the club is possible for

a) a child with at least the Junior Open Water Diver certificate (parents are responsible for their children. In addition to the participant/minor, at least one parent or legal guardian will be required to sign the PADI form “Youth Diving: Responsibility and Risks Acknowledgment”. The minor will be required to acknowledge responsibility for him/herself (within his/her age-appropriate capabilities) as well as for the environment.

b) an adult individual living in Bocas del Toro or traveling to the local islands.

c) a family living in Bocas del Toro or traveling to the local islands.

d) a sponsoring member who wishes to financially support the club idea and/or the voluntary swimming lessons for local children, even if active participation is not possible for health, time or distance reasons.

A written application and payment of the monthly fee (family fee or three-month fee) in cash or by bank transfer is required for admission. The monthly diving trips can only be scheduled after payment of the monthly fee. A refund of the fee, for example for medical reasons, is not possible.

The only exception is the monthly diving fee, which can be partially refunded if a medical certificate is presented stating that diving is not medically possible for the next few weeks.  

The form “Liability and Assumption of Risk Release Agreement” of the Hippocampus Divers Club (for certified divers) must be signed in addition to the application for admission. In the case of attending a course or conducting a Discover Scuba Dive, the forms provided by PADI for the respective purpose must be signed. If someone is interested in diving but is not sure if he/she meets the health requirements, it is recommended to contact a doctor.

Membership begins with the payment of the first membership fee. A short written notice is required for resignation. Resignation can take place at the end of any month, unless a three-month membership has been entered into.

4. Amount and use of membership fees

For the duration of one month, members living in Bocas pay $105, and tourists $130. A local family of two pays $170 per month; every additional family member pays $60 per month. A tourist family of 2 pays $240 per month; every additional  member of this tourist family pays $70 per months.

Divers or prospective divers can dive with a three-month membership at very favorable conditions: The membership fee for 3 months must be paid in one installment of $295. Family members pay $175 for three months.

Family is defined as persons who are related to each other within the first or second degree.

Association funds may only be used for the purposes set out in the articles of association. The manager of the association (active diving instructor), a local rescue diver, who can be used as a guide for certified divers, and the captain are proportionately rewarded for their work. Whether an additional captain, instructor or guide is needed will depend on the number of members.

$5 per monthly membership fee is used for swimming lessons for local students, in particular to purchase swimming goggles and buoyancy aids.

Members do not receive any benefits from the association's funds. Voluntary work is welcome.

The equipment for the diving trips is provided in full. The safety of the club members is ensured as far as possible by means of buoys, a first aid kit and emergency oxygen on board, which, like the diving equipment, is the property of the club. As only regularly maintained equipment is safe, maintenance and repairs are paid for by the membership fees, if possible. Otherwise, maintenance and repairs are the financial responsibility of the manager. If equipment is damaged due to irresponsible handling by a club member, the member must pay for this financially. This includes, in particular, water damage to the regulator because the protective cap was forgotten to be put on before cleaning the gear, or the loss of lead. Within Discover Scuba Dives and Open Water Courses, the instructor is responsible for this.

All other club activities as well as the planned diving trips will have to be paid out of your own pocket.

The club shirt can be purchased for a price of $ 20. When joining the club in November 2024, the member will receive the club shirt for free.

5. Code of conduct in the club

The Hippocampus Divers Club is politically neutral. It upholds the principle of religious and ideological tolerance and firmly opposes racist, anti-constitutional and xenophobic endeavors as well as discrimination on the basis of sexual identity.The diving club condemns any form of violence, regardless of whether it is of a physical, psychological or sexualized nature. Serious violations of these principles may lead to expulsion. The diving club is committed to implementing a “culture of respect” and to the special protection of minors in the club.

6.  Publication of club activities

The dates of the respective diving trips and other club activities are always available for the next 2 months in advance on the website Divebocaswithus.com. In addition, a whatsapp group will be set up for members to ask questions.