B
Great experience
Very informative and fun experience. The guide and driver were great. Really appreciated that the guide did not bring the monkeys on the boat as the other tours were doing.
Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks
+5 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Price from
- $85 / person
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 1,778 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 18
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Panama City
Description
This unique tour of the Panama Canal goes from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean as you see the canal from the water and by foot. An exciting boat ride down the canal will introduce you to the transiting ships as well as the abundant wildlife on its shores, followed by the Agua Clara and Gatun Locks, See the original 1914 Gatun Locks, and the 2016 Agua Clara Locks, see over 100 years of engineering in one experience. This is not a TRANSIT tour, we wont travel by boat inside the locks.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This tour begins with hotel pickups starting at 6:10am. I know it sounds crazy to get up so early on your vacation, but you will thank me for it later. Starting this early we can beat the crowds and see more wildlife in cooler temperatures.
We will ride along the waters of the Panama Canal right next to the ships passing through on their way to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Our destination is Gatun Lake, where we will cruise around islands created during the canal construction and see the abundant wildlife on its shores.
The second-largest artificial lake on the continent, the intact rainforest that surround the lake are one of the few accessible areas on the planet where a diverse flora and fauna endemic to Central America can be observed in its natural habitat.
We will visit the Agua Clara Visitor Center to see the new expansion locks working up close. Located on the west side of the brand new Agua Clara Locks, the Agua Clara Visitor Center allows you to observe transiting vessels from a scenic lookout point and learn first hand about the various operations of the Panama Canal, the history of its construction, its participation in the world markets, and the importance of its watershed. An observational deck lets you watch the ships pass through the Agua Clara Locks on their way to the Pacific or Atlantic oceans.
Gatun Locks: A newly inaugurated observation deck near the historical locks offers a scenic view of the original canal and Gatun Lake.
The next stop will be a visit to San Lorenzo National Park where you will visit a remote rainforest full of flora and fauna, followed by a freshly made picnic lunch and a tour Fort San Lorenzo. A 400 year old Spanish fort on a scenic cliff overlooking the Caribbean, here you will recount the many attacks by pirates and privateers that happened at one of the most historically important places in Panama. The Fort of San Lorenzo, located on an 80 foot (25m) cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea at the estuary of the Chagres River, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 along with the fortifications of the city of Portobelo. It was part of the defensive system for the transatlantic trade of the Spanish Crown, and is a fine example of military architecture of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Fort of San Lorenzo is one of the oldest fortresses in Spanish America. Here you will recount the many attacks by pirates and privateers that happened at one of the most historically important places in Panama.
Return to Panama City for Hotel Drop off
Highlights
Professional guide
Bottled water
Entrance fees
Transport by air-conditioned minibus
Snacks included. Also we do a quick stop at a convenience store at 9am in Gamboa and you can buy coffee and snacks
Panama Canal boat ride (NO EXTRA FEES)
Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only)
What's included
Included
Professional guide
Bottled water
Entrance fees
Transport by air-conditioned minibus
Snacks included. Also we do a quick stop at a convenience store at 9am in Gamboa and you can buy coffee and snacks
Panama Canal boat ride (NO EXTRA FEES)
Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only)
Not included
Gratuities
Due to heavy traffic, no free pickup from hotels located near Amador Causeway, Clayton (City of Knowledge) Playa Bonita. Separate transportation for the an extra charge
Playa Blanca, or Rio Hato, Metromall, Arraijan or Tocumen Airport need to arrange own transportation
This is not a TRANSIT tour, we wont travel by boat inside the locks.
Extra passenger - Minimum age to participate is 3 years
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup from centrally located Panama City hotels in the following areas: • El Cangrejo • Obarrio • Punta Pacifica • San Francisco • Punta Paitilla • Avenida Balboa • Bella Vista • Casco Viejo • Marbella • Financial District • El Dorado • Bethania
Traveller Ratings
4.9
1,778 reviews
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The tour starts in a very remote area and there will be no access to public restrooms around 9am
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
- Minimum age is 3 years
- If you will be staying at a hotel area that is not on the list, please contact your local operator prior to booking your tour
- This tour is in ENGLISH only, we cannot run the tour in 2 languages without the tour quality being compromised.
- Not recommended for travelers with walking problems or other serious medical conditions.
- No Wheelchair accessible
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks lasts about 8 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $85 per person for this Panama City experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup from centrally located Panama City hotels in the following areas: • El Cangrejo • Obarrio • Punta Pacifica • San Francisco • Punta Paitilla • Avenida Balboa • Bella Vista • Casco Viejo • Marbella • Financial District • El Dorado • Bethania Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyC6l/s4uw59Hsre9dO8EXTQ=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyMJz5tJI8AztUBVvbFwjzVk=.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 18 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
No Wheelchair accessible
Reviews(1,778)
B
An Amazing Panama Canal Experience
We had an absolutely incredible time on our Panama Canal tour, and so much of that was thanks to our amazing guide, John! From beginning to end, he made the experience unforgettable. John was incredibly knowledgeable and informative, and you could truly tell how passionate he is about Panama and the history. We learned so much about the Panama Canal, its history, and the country itself that we never would have known without him. The entire trip was beautifully organized, and the lunch they prepared for us was absolutely delicious! It was such a wonderful touch and gave us a chance to enjoy some great local food while taking in the experience. We left feeling like we had not only experienced one of Panama’s most incredible landmarks, but had also learned so much along the way. He made an already amazing experience truly exceptional
D
One day Panama trip if you are short on time
Great one day experience if you have limited time in Panama. Great introduction for the history of the canal and a great boat trip seeing the local wildlife up close.
J
good and informative trip.
A full day, the early start mitigates the Panama City traffic and gets the timing of the river trip right for early-morning animals and for the giant Panamax vessels you'll see on the water and in the locks. John is amusing and knowledgeable. Lunch is provided.
C
Amazing experience!
Our tour guide, John and driver, Manuel were awesome. John was the best! He's very passionate in sharing Panama's history. A day well spent!
M
Best tour in Panama
the tour was great. They showed us so much and drove all over Panama. They fed is a delicious lunch and were very fun. It was worth every penny and was the best deal on Panama
T
Do It!!
Excellent guide with history! Excellent scenery, great stops, good food, good times!! This was money well spent.
H
Nice extended trip.
Nice trip, seen a lot. Lots of animals too. Glad it was a small group. Not suitable for children under the age of 16. Because a lot of information was given:
S
We covered a lot in the...
We covered a lot in the tour -- Wildlife viewing on Gatun lake, watching ships pass through the Agua Clara locks, delicious picnic lunch from El National, then exploring the San Lorenzo Fort. Our guide John was very knowledgeable and provided great insight into the history of Panama and the canal. On the boat portion, we saw three different species of monkeys, a sloth, and baby crocodiles. We saw two different ships at the beginning of the tour on the Pacific side, and by the time we got to the locks on the Atlantic side a few hours later, we saw the same two ships pass through the locks. Very cool to witness their journey from beginningto end! We recommend the tour, however it is a long day! We had to meet the tour bus for pickup at our hotel at 6 am and didn't get back until 5. There is no access to washrooms until about 9 am.
R
Great intro to Panama
Really interesting tour. If you spend only one day in Panama City, this is a great tour to do - it covers Panamanian history, wildlife, culture, and of course the canal. And our host was really knowledgeable and entertaining.
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