Panama Canal Full Transit Tour
Full Transit Boat Tour: Explore the Panama Canal from Pacific to Atlantic
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Panama Canal, traversing from the Pacific to the Atlantic (Caribbean) in approximately 10-11 hours.
Tour Highlights:
- From Ocean to Ocean, from the Pacific to the Atlantic (Caribbean).
- Begin your adventure at the Amador Causeway, offering stunning views of Panama City.
- Witness the entry and exit of the Canal on the Pacific side.
- Marvel at the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks in action.
- Cross the Continental Divide and navigate through the iconic Corte Culebra.
- Discover Gatun Lake and its picturesque islands.
- Cruise along the Chagres River and experience the Atlantic Area and Locks
- Admire the iconic beauty of the Bridge of the Americas and the Centennial Bridge, connecting South America and North America. Beneath them lies the division of the continent.
Rates:
- Adult Fare: $260 USD per person + 7% tax.
- Child Fare (2-5 years old): $180 USD per person + 7% tax.
- Infants (0–1-year-old): $60 USD per person + 7% tax.
Inclusions:
- Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the journey.
- Stay refreshed with unlimited coffee, water, and sodas.
- Learn from knowledgeable guides and narrators.
- Exercise the right of navigation as you traverse the Canal.
Full Tour by Ship Through the Panama Canal:
Experience the marvels of the Panama Canal, a testament to human ingenuity, as you embark on a full transit boat tour. Departing from the Pacific Ocean entrance, the tour culminates at the Caribbean Sea in Colon (Altantic).
Meeting Points and Departure Time:
Departure points are conveniently located at the Amador Causeway, ensuring easy access from various hotel districts in Panama City. There are 4 specific points of departure. All of them located in Amador Causeway. The Flamenco Marina (La Marina de Flamenco), La Playita de Amador, The Balboa Yacht Club, Dolphin Terminal. Along with your reservation confirmation we will send details as to exact departure point for your tour boat. With your reservation we will indicate which departure point you need to be at.
Generally, the tour departs between 6am and 7am. The exact time is regulated by the Panama Canal Authority. The Panama Canal Authority is who assigns departure times for all craft passing through the Canal. For this reason, we request that all passengers on our tours email us the day before the tour in order to re-confirm the exact departure time of your tour boat. This time can vary, and it is the Canal Authority who communicates to us, at approximately 5:00pm the day before the tour our assigned departure time. Upon receiving this communication from the Canal Authority, we will in turn notify all our passengers of the assigned schedule via email.
Important Note:
To participate in the tour, plan to stay in Panama City the night before for an early departure. The full day is required to complete the passage through the Canal.
Exploring the Canal:
Embark on the tour boat at the Amador Causeway and journey through the Canal, passing under the Bridge of the Americas and marveling at Panama City’s skyline. Traverse the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, experiencing the boat’s elevation firsthand.
The tour boat will traverse the first set of locks, The Miraflores locks, where we will be rise up a total of 18 meters (60 feet) in two steps as you experience how the water elevates the boat above sea level.
Canal visitor center is located there at Miraflores Locks, and it is here that you´ll observe as dozens of curious onlookers watch as you and your boat pass through The Miraflores Locks. We then traverse the Miraflores Lake which is a quite small fresh-water lake that separates the two sets of locks on the Pacific Side of the Canal.
Next, the ship enters Lake Alajuela and continues to the second set of locks. At the Pedro Miguel Locks the tour boat will ascend a total of 9 meters (30 feet) in one single step. At the both the Miraflores and the Pedro Miguel locks you´ll have the opportunity to experiment just how the boat is elevated. As it is trapped within the confines of the locks which are in effect, huge concrete-walled chambers with sailing gates which allow the sealed chamber to be quickly filled with water until reaching the level required to permit continuing the voyage on to the next section of the canal.
Continuing the Journey:
Navigate through the Corte Culebra and witness the Continental Divide before crossing the Gatun Lake, home to diverse flora and fauna. Admire the stunning landscapes and ecological significance of Gatun Lake, a testament to the harmony between nature and human engineering.
Crossing Gatun Lake feels as if you were crossing the ocean due to the immensity of this body of water. Located throughout the volume of its turquoise – colored, fresh waters you will be able to appreciate dozens of all islands that are home to an impressive diversity of flora and fauna. Many of which are only found in this unique habitat.
For this reason Gatun Lake is a site of great importance from an ecological standpoint and as such The Smithsonian Institute has its center for tropical investigations located precisely on the Barro Colorado Island.
At this very location scientists have discovered dozens of new species of life that exist exclusively on this island. At this site you will witness how nature and man combine to create one of the most amazing environments on the planet.
Arrival at the Caribbean Coast – Atlantic:
Descend through the Gatun Locks to the Caribbean side of the Canal, where the journey concludes in Colon.
Upon arriving at the Caribbean side of the canal our boat will enter the multi-level Gatun Locks. Where in a series of 3 steps we will descend a total of 26 meters (85 feet) down to the level of the Atlantic Ocean. This fascinating lock system is both majestic and awe-inspiring at the same time.
Leaving this final set of locks our boat will navigate on the city of Colon on the Caribbean coast of Panama. After disembarking, you will immediately board luxury tour buses for our return trip to Panama City and to the very meeting point where our tour began. Travel time from the city of Colon back to Panama City by tour bus is approximately 2 hours.
It is Truly a Unique Engineering Marvel that Must be Experienced.
AVAILABLE DATES FOR THE FULL (COMPLETE) PANAMA CANAL TOUR 2024
| JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL |
| 20 | |||
| MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST |
| 18 | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER |
| 21 | 19 | 16 | 21 |