Panama Canal Tour by Boat

Published on PanamaSimple, August 7, 2013 | By Dennis Smith

Seeing the Panama Canal is a given for tourists when they reach Panama. You can see the ships pass

on the Amador Causeway or get closer to the activity from observation centers at the Miraflores Locks

(Pacific side) or the Gatun Locks (Atlantic side). Another, and the best way if you have time is, to

enjoy the features of the Canal is to actually take a boat tour through it. Most agree that this is an

experience they never forget.

You can choose from two Canal tours – full day and half day.

Full-day Panama Canal Tour

The is the perfect way to see how the locks actually operate and you can enjoy some great tropical

scenery along the way. It will also let you see the construction in progress for the Panama Canal

Expansion Project.

The full days’ leave in the early morning from the Flamenco Marina at the end of the Amador

Causeway. Your ship will cross under the Bridge of the Americas (Puente de Las Americas) and then

transit you through the Miraflores Locks. In Miraflores your ship will lifted 18 meters (30 feet). Then

you will pass through Miraflores Lake located between the Miraflores Locks and the upcoming Pedro

Miguel Locks. At Pedro Miguel, you will be lifted 9 meters (15 feet). After Pedro Miguel you pass

through the Gaillard Cut (Corte Culebra). This is where a passage was cut through Panama’s backbone

mountains, the longest and most difficult part of the original Canal construction.

Next up is Gatun Lake, which is the second largest man-made lake in the world. Once through the

lake, you will be dropped 26 meters (85 feet) by the Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side. You dock in

Colon and board your transport for the return journey to Panama City.

Half-day Panama Canal Tour

This is the best choice for those who do not have much time or just want to get a quick feel of the

Panam Canal. Again these trips leave in the early morning from the Flamenco Marina. You will be

transported by motor yacht and will pass through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. Your boat

will turn around at Gatun Lake for the trip back to Panama City.

Whichever transit tour interests you, here are some basic considerations before picking your

provider.

Who to trust. There are literally hundreds of individuals and companies which offer transit

tours. Ask your travel agent or at your hotel about price, quality of service, reliability,

cleanliness of water craft, etc. Get a contract.

Amenities. Most operators provide food and bottled water, but not all.

Protect yourself. You will be on the water under the tropical sun for hours. Bring your sun

hat and sunblock. Mosquito spray during the rainy season might be a good idea too.

Safety. Any boat transiting is subject to the Panama Canal Authority’s stringent, and strictly

enforced, safety regulations and procedures. And your provider will be required to train in

using them. So, safety should not be a major concern.

Panama Canal boat tours are available year round. The rainy season runs from May through

November. If you are taking a full day during this period, plan on getting rained on. The dry season

runs from December through April. Dry season is hot and well – dry. Either way, plan accordingly.

Some other activities to combine with your Panama Canal transit tour.

Full day.

Boat there, train back. You can replace you ride back from Colon by road with one by rail. It

is possible the ride the Panama Railway Company Trans-Isthmian Train (which travels

through the jungles and along the Canal) back to Panama City. This is a great way to get the

best of everything.

View the Canal expansion up close. The Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center

(Centro de Observación de la Ampliación del Canal de Panamá) is open on the Colon side.

The Center features views of Canal construction, rainforests, Gatun Lake and the Atlantic

Ocean.

Half day.

Canal and City. Many like to take the half day and spend the rest of the day seeing the

historical sites of Panama City.

Stay in the rainforest. The Gamboa Rainforest Resort in Gamboa is a full-scale resort

complex. One unique and fun feature is a canopy ride over the rainforest treetops.

Boat transits of the expanding Panama Canal. Now that is something “made in Panama”.