Panama Canal Kayaking

HIGHLIGHTS

Portobelo Bay provides a Panama kayak adventure second to none.  On it you will cover all main things to do in Portobelo. 

Portobelo was discovered in 1502, and it was named by Christopher Columbus when his vessels sought shelter in the "beautiful port" from a storm. In 1596, even before it was officially founded, Portobelo suffered its first attack at the hands of Sir Frances Drake. Drake died of fever before he could capture Portobelo. He was secretly buried at sea off the entrance to the harbor.

The town was officially founded in 1597 and was given the name of San Felipe de Portobelo in honor of King Philip II of Spain. During the late l6th and early l7th century Portobelo was the principal Spanish trade port on the Atlantic for all of South America. The exchange of merchandise took place annually at the Portobelo trade fair which lasted from 30 to 60 days. During this time, Portobelo was a beehive of activity. 

View Portobelo in a larger map

ITINERARY

Tour begins by picking up guests in Panama City at 7:00 a.m., to them travel to Portobelo by road.

We will visit Santiago Fort, Portobelo (Geronimo Fort and Customs House), and around 11:00 a.m., the tour proceeds paddling across the bay, for about 30 minutes, to the other cannon battery built by the conquistadores to protect the bay, San Fernando.  We will walk and learn about the ruins history.  Then we proceed kayaking along the coast  up to a hidden  beach, perfect to relax and do some snorkeling.

At approximately 1:00 a.m., we will start an exciting one hour sea kayak tour back Portobelo.  Afterwards we have a lunch (coconut rice with octopus is a favorite dish).

We should arrive to the original pick up place at the city by 5:00 p.m.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? All mentioned transportation, expedition kayaks and snorkel gear, guides, and meals. Our guides are trained in kayak navigation skills, first-aid and CPR.

WHO CAN GO ? Any person from twelve to seventy years old, in good health. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? A pair of shorts for navigating, sneakers or strapped sandals, a cap, sun-block, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case of rain), a towel and a dry set of clothes for the trip back.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Any object than can be deteriorated by water or valuables like jewels, cash, credit cards, etc.

PRICE:

USD $ 165.00 per person
Group leader will go free for a group of more than ten persons.

SEASON:

Panama Kayak Adventure is good year-round 

Highlights 

Paddle these last twelve kilometers of the Chagres River on its way to the Caribbean Ocean in one of best Panama kayak adventure. In this circuit you will see some of main Panama Canal components such as the the Gatun Locks (not a visitor center), the Gatun Dam. You will also see Panama nature and wildlife at the wilderness Reserve of Forth San Lorenzo. And then, when we reach the Ocean we will visit one of Panama ruins attractions, Forth San Lorenzo. This fortress was built by Spaniard Conquistadores to seal this route from pirate incursions searching to attack Panama City located by the Pacific Ocean.

To establish the Panama Canal waterway the Gatun Lake was created in 1913 by building Gatun Dam at the Chagres River before it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. It was once the world's biggest artificial lake.  

Every time a Ship crosses the canal toward the Pacific Ocean at the Miraflores Locks or toward the Atlantic Ocean at the Gatun Locks 52,000,000 gallons of fresh water are spilled from Gatun Lake.  

With the creation of Gatun Lake many mountain tops became islands. This offers endless channel possibilities to scout. In its shores covered by dense tropical forest  you will find all kinds of tropical flora and fauna. This was deemed as an opportunity for research by the Smith Sonian Research Institute that operates the famous Research Station at  Barro Colorado since 1946. 

View Chagres River in Expedition Kayaks by Aventuras Panama in a larger map

Check out Panama Chagres River Map

ITINERARY

Our tour begins by picking up guests at Panama City around 7:00 a.m. We will arrive to Panama Canal Gatun Dam, one hour and 30 minutes later to start kayaking around 9:30 a.m.

To drive in and out this area, we will go across the Panama Canal by ferry in our vehicle while the third bridge that goes across the canal is being built. Before, the Old Gatun Locks where used to crossed vehicles working as a bridge when they were closed. However, due to consideration for the new set of Aguas Claras Locks this is no longer possible.

We will start an exciting 3-4 hours tour paddling expedition kayaks through dense tropical forest all the way to the Caribbean Ocean where Spaniard Conquistadores built Forth San Lorenzo. Since the XVI century it has silently kept away the Caribbean pirates that used this waterway to take by surprise assault Panama City in the Pacific.

The actual paddling time will depend on the participants conditions and skills, strength of wind, and river current. And we had done it as fast as in two hours or as long as 4 hours. We do will paddle as fast as the slowest kayak. 

After visiting Fort San Lorenzo we will head back toward Panama City to reach  original pick up place about 5:00 p.m.

You will be able to see the jungle awakening and it is very likely that you might still encounter some morning mist. You will go back in time to imagine episodes of the Spaniard American Conquest.

We should arrive at the take out zone around 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. and be back to the original pick up place about 5:00 p.m. - You can also meet us by the Gatun Dam ramp.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? All mentioned transportation, expedition kayaks and gear, guides, and meals. Our guides are trained in kayak navigation skills, first-aid and CPR.

WHO CAN GO ? Any person from twelve to seventy years old, in good health. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? A pair of short for navigating, sneakers or straped sandals, a cap, sun-block, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case of rain), a towel and dry set of clothes for the trip back.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Any object than can be deteriorated by water or valuables like jewels, cash, credit cards, etc. 

PRICE:

USD $ 165.00 per person
Group leader will go free for a group of more than ten persons.

SEASON:

This is a year-round Panama Kayak Adventure. Usually at the last months of the rainy season, September through November, the river current might be stronger due to more water release at Gatun Dam. From mid January through March we usually have to paddle against the north wind using the river banks as shelters

HIGHLIGHTS

Can you kayak the Panama Canal ?  Certainly you can paddle anywhere in the canal; except, on restricted areas such as locks and  main ships navigation channel which is marked with buoys.

One of best Panama Kayak Adventures is our trip to kayak on the Panama Canal. 

The Panama Canal is much more than a marvel built to transit vessels from one ocean to other. With it, a vast zone of tropical forest has been devoted to protect its main resource: fresh water.

Namely Soberania and Chagres National Parks.

We take you to explore this wonder in expedition kayaks to allow you a close encounter with the nature that surrounds it, our treasure that makes it possible.

Every time a ship crosses the canal towards the Pacific Ocean at Miraflores Locks or towards the Atlantic Ocean at the Gatun Locks 52,000,000 gallons of fresh water are spilled from Gatun Lake.  It used to be the world biggest artificial lake.

View Panama Canal Kayaking, from Gamboa in a larger map

ITINERARY

This tour begins by picking up guests at Panama City around 8:00 a.m. We will drive along The Panama Canal, passing by Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks, arriving at Gamboa Public Ramp, 40 minutes later to board a motor boat that will take us north along the Panama Canal in a one hour long trip to our destination, to start kayaking around 10:30 a.m.

After about an hour scouting channels throught the tropical forest in search of wildlife we will have lunch in our motor boat and time to relax before further exploring the area in our expedition kayaks.

Monkeys are almost guaranteed to be encountered.  Among them: white face (capuchino), howling, spider and titi. Sloths are also common.

Birds such as king fisher and fishing eagle are also common. 

If lucky we might spot reptiles such as cococriles and turtles. Lizards running over the water, Jesus Lizard, are very common also.

We should be back to your pick up place around 3 - 4:00 pm.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? All mentioned transportation, expedition kayaks and related gear, guides, and meals. Our guides are trained in kayak navigation skills, first-aid and CPR. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A VISIT TO A PANAMA CANAL LOCKS OR PADDLE INSIDE DESIGNATED SHIPS NAVIGATION CHANNEL. 

WHO CAN GO ? Any person from twelve to seventy years old, in good health. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? A pair of shorts for navigating, sneakers or straped sandals, a cap, sun-block, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case of rain), a towel and an extra set of clothes for the trip back.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Any object than can be deteriorated by water or valuables like jewels, cash, credit cards, etc.

PRICE:

USD $ 165.00 per person
Group leader will go free for a group of more than ten persons.

SEASON:

This is a year-round Panama kayak adventure. Join us to kayak  on the Panama Canal kayaking tour.  

HIGHLIGHTS

Are you looking for things to do in Taboga ? Well, it is one of the best Panama kayak adventure destination. Also, to watch sea birds in panama there is not a better place.

Taboga Island is in the Pacific Ocean, within the Gulf of Panama, and 20 Kms southwest from Panama City.  It is well known as the "Island of Flowers" due to its exuberant tropical vegetation which flowers almost year around.  Its native name means "abundant fish."

Since the times of the Spaniard Conquistadores to the Second World War it has been a strategic island due to its surrounding deep waters and  its closeness to Panama City. Although fishing is still important in its economy, it is now second to tourism. Tourists visit the island searching to spend a relaxed time on its picturesque town, sandy beaches, and convenient closeness to Panama City. 

View Taboga Island Panama in a larger map

ITINERARY

Our trip starts at 9:30 am at Taboga Beach, right in front of the Taboga Police Station which you will find turning left when exiting Taboga Pier. To get there you have different ferry alternatives that are supplied below. You should get to the departing dock in the Coastway Amador at least 45 minutes before departure time (allow for at least 1.5 hours before on weekends and holidays). You should also calculate 30 minutes to travel from Panama City Down Town to Amador Coastway from which both ferries depart. At your arrival to our meeting point we will assign you gear, and instruct you on navigation techniques and safety guidelines. We should start kayaking by 10:00 am and complete traveling around the island in 4 hours.  Traveling time will vary depending on participant's skills, and weather conditions. Along the way we will be escorted by a motorboat in case someone wishes to quit or rest and for any other safety consideration - and more importantly, to make sure we make it back for your ferry leaving from Taboga. We take an about one hour break to have lunch and snorkel in places not accessible to regular Taboga visitors. You can plan to stay longer on the island or return to Panama City in the afternoon.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? Expedition kayaks and gear,  guides, beverages, and lunch. Our guides are trained in kayak navigation skills, first-aid and CPR.

WHAT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE ? Insurance of any kind, ground transportation to and from Panama City to dock,  ferry to and from Taboga.

WHO CAN GO ? Any person from sixteen to sixty five years old, in good health and good physical conditions. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? A pair of shorts for navigating, sneakers or straped sandals, a hat, tons of sun-block, a towel and a dry set of clothes for the trip back.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Any object than can be deteriorated by water or valuables like jewels, cash, credit cards, etc. 

PRICE:

USD $ 165.00 per person
Group leader will go for free for a group of more than ten persons.

SEASON:

Taboga Panama kayak adventure is fun year-round.  During the rainy season, from April through December it is possible that we will encounter rain but ocean water is warmer and it is clearer to snorkel.  During the dry season, from January through March it is almost guaranteed to encounter strong north wind and beautiful sunny days which turns ocean water colder, choppy and not very clear.