Panama Canal Full Transit Tour
Description
Experience a Panama Canal Full Transit Tour navigating from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean in one day. Enjoy the comfort of being in a small vessel and get really close to the Panama Canal's operation.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our check in point is at Flamenco Marina, located on the last island of the Amador Causeway. It is right next to the Panama sign and behind the Duty Free Shop. The exact tour time will be confirmed the day before. The time shown on the booking platform is approximate. Please check your email the day before the tour for the final details.
The Bridge of the Americas is a road bridge in Panama, which spans the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Designed by Sverdrup & Parcel, it was completed in 1962 at a cost of US$20 million, connecting the north and south American land masses.
The vessel will then transit through the first set of locks, the Miraflores Locks, where it will ascend 18 meters in two distinct steps. Next, the Pacific Queen will enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel Locks from Miraflores Locks. The vessel will transit through Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side. After exiting Pedro Miguel locks, the Pacific Queen will travel through the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value.
During your Panama Canal full transit tour you will enjoy a trip through Gatun Lake, which was formed by erecting the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. As you transit through Gatun Lake you will pass the Smithsonian Research Station at Barro Colorado. You will also experience the Gatun Locks, which are the only set of locks in the Atlantic sector. In Gatun Locks, the vessel will be lowered a total of 26 meters in three distinct chambers. Upon arriving at Colon, you will disembark at Colon 2000, where transportation back to Panama City will be provided.
The Chagres River in central Panama, is the largest river in the Panama Canal’s watershed. In the past, this river was an important means of communication between one coast and the other, as it was part of the famous colonial road “Cruces”, originally built by the Spanish crown during the 16th century and of massive use by adventurers and explorers during the following centuries until the creation of the Panama Canal. During the 20th Century the river was dammed twice, and the resulting reservoirs – Gatun Lake and Lake Alajuela – formed an integral part of the canal and its water system.
Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, the vast jungle area that is now the Gatun Lake was teeming with an overwhelming abundance of wildlife. As the region was flooded to create the lake, animals took refuge in the mountain peaks, which are now the many islands that dot the renowned lake. Barro Colorado Island is the biggest island formed where the Smithsonian Research Institute has established the most important research center in Panama due to its biodiversity.
Panama's Centennial Bridge is a major bridge crossing the Panama Canal. It was built to supplement the overcrowded Bridge of the Americas and to replace it as the carrier of the Pan-American Highway. Upon its opening in 2004, it became the second permanent crossing of the canal.
Gatun Lake forms a major part of the Panama Canal and it was created between 1907 and 1913 by the construction of the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. The lake is situated in the Valley of the Chagres River and the geography was ideal for the creation of a large lake. The damming of the river flooded the originally wooded valley and hills although many hilltops became islands. At the time it was created, Gatun Lake was the largest man-made lake in the world.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please Note: The exact check-in time will be confirmed the day before your tour via email. Please make sure you check your inbox.
Reviews(297)
Very good trip. Prepare for a long day (10 plus hours) but you get to see it all and appreciate what a wonder this is.
Fascinating to see the canal and how the locks work in person. Our narrator and the entire crew was excellent, and even the food was good, too! The full Pacific to Atlantic transit is a long day, but so worth it. Be sure to bring sunscreen!
Good times. Nice ride back in the bus. No real cream for coffee in the morning so make time to stop at the pastry place across the way for coffee. The snacks and meals were good. The people were nice & informative. We had a great time.
This full Panama Canal transit was absolutely fantastic, breathtaking, and truly wonderful. It was a dream come true and a major bucket‑list item checked off—and it exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, everything was exactly as advertised. The crew was incredibly friendly, professional, and attentive, making the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. The views and engineering of the canal are simply awe‑inspiring, and being able to experience it in full is something I’ll never forget. The trip included three meals—breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack—which were well organized and enjoyable. Free soft beverages were available throughout the day, with alcohol and additional snacks available for purchase as well. If you’re considering a full Panama Canal trip, don’t hesitate. This was an unforgettable experience and worth every moment.
It was definitely an experience of a lifetime. We really enjoyed experiencing one of the seven wonders of the world close-up. We would definitely recommend it to anybody.
The entire tour was a great experience and very informative. Traveling the entire length of the Panama Canal was awesome!
Great narrative and information. Ship was clean and plenty of seating. Good how separated everyone into groups and called you to eat that way. Only negative is they did not accommodate allergies or even ask. When we told staff of pine nut allergy in pesto salad, there was no other option for lunch. And when it was time for afternoon snack and they had mini turkey sandwiches and my husband asked for 2, they said one per person, even after he explained he did not get lunch. I would suggest you ask people to fill out allergies in advance or post menu online so we would have known to bring his food.
Ricardo was our guide and he showed us everything. It was great to see the ships the monkeys and the sloth.
This trip was amazing. Yes, we were on the boat for 12 hours with about 200 of our newest best friends. But everything worked well for the entire day. Check-in was organized and orderly. We read before the trip that one review compared the meals to airplane food, but if that's true we'd like to know what airline the reviewer was talking about; while the meals aren't 5-star, they were certainly fresh and enjoyable. The entire crew was helpful and friendly, and seemed genuinely happy to serve us. Special kudos goes to the guide who spent hours telling us about the canal and answering questions throughout the entire trip. The guide and the rest of the crew also managed to keep everything in order without being heavy-handed; passengers were told the do's and don't's of travel on the boat and it worked as everyone seemed to comply. even the return trip on buses was well organized and timely. And finally, about the canal, if you've ever thought about going, you should.
Great learning experience about the Canal of Panama. The tour guide (José) was very knowledgeable and gave the information in Spanish and English. He also answered all questions asked. The scenary is really pretty, especially if sitting on the right side of the ship. Things to consider, use a good sunscreen and reapply as the sun can be brutal. A hand fan can be beneficial if staying at the top floor of the ship. Otherwise, the view can be appreciated on the 1st and 2nd floor with AC. If you have food limitations, reach out beforehand or bring your own snacks as the menu is set and might not accomodate any dietary restrictions.
