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Caribbean Beaches: Snorkel and Explore Portobelo
4.5
110 Ratings
Portobelo
Experience a full-day catamaran sailing adventure in the Caribbean, visiting secluded beaches, snorkeling in turquoise waters, and enjoying a delicious lunch. Book now!
Experience a full-day catamaran sailing adventure in the Caribbean, visiting secluded beaches, snorkeling in turquoise waters, and enjoying a delicious lunch. Book now!
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Portobelo - Discover the Spanish defensive fortifications that were constructed 500 years ago, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From this location, a quick 2-minute speedboat ride will take you to the catamaran.
- Isla del Padre - Once aboard the catamaran, a briefing will be conducted before embarking on a nearly one-hour sail…
- Portobelo - Discover the Spanish defensive fortifications that were constructed 500 years ago, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From this location, a quick 2-minute speedboat ride will take you to the catamaran.
- Isla del Padre - Once aboard the catamaran, a briefing will be conducted before embarking on a nearly one-hour sail to the first destination: Venas Azules. The initial stop is Isla del Padre, also known as Blue Veins. This enchanting lagoon, surrounded by mangroves, features crystal-clear waters and a pristine white sand beach. Here, the lagoon will be explored by dinghy. The journey will then continue with a 20-minute sail to the next destination, Playa Drake.
- Playa Blanca - Playa Drake is a stunning tropical white beach, named after the pirate who met his end nearby. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling to view the vibrant corals and fish, swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding, or simply relaxing on the beach. Lunch will be served on the catamaran before sailing back to Portobelo, a 30-minute journey.
What's Included
- Kayak
- Paddleboard
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Safety equipment
- Floating noodles
- Lunch
- Drinking water
- Kayak
- Paddleboard
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Safety equipment
- Floating noodles
- Lunch
- Drinking water
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Snacks
- Beach towel
- 20$ extra per group if pick-up/drop-off is Playa Bonita/Santa Maria/Costa del Este/Tocumen area
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Snacks
- Beach towel
- 20$ extra per group if pick-up/drop-off is Playa Bonita/Santa Maria/Costa del Este/Tocumen area
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on a journey with us to uncover the hidden treasures of the Caribbean, accessible only by sea! With two decades of expertise in these waters, our team will lead you to vibrant marine locations away from the usual crowds.
This tour takes you to two breathtaking and distinct sites: Playa Drake, renowned for its exceptional snorkeling, and Venas…
Embark on a journey with us to uncover the hidden treasures of the Caribbean, accessible only by sea! With two decades of expertise in these waters, our team will lead you to vibrant marine locations away from the usual crowds.
This tour takes you to two breathtaking and distinct sites: Playa Drake, renowned for its exceptional snorkeling, and Venas Azules, a turquoise lagoon encircled by mangroves. Both are nestled within the pristine Portobelo National Park, teeming with biodiversity and natural splendor.
Opting for the pickup service means you’ll be collected directly from your hotel and transported to the historic town of Portobelo—established in 1597 by the Spanish to thwart pirate attacks. From there, you’ll set sail towards these awe-inspiring destinations aboard a catamaran, hoisting the sails whenever the wind permits.
Throughout the journey, there will be opportunities to swim, kayak, paddleboard, or simply relax on the catamaran or beach. Ideal for adventurous travelers seeking unique experiences and a profound connection with nature!
- Not recommended for travelers with limited mobility
- Not suitable for travelers who are unable to go barefoot
- Not suitable for travelers who are unwilling to follow safety guidelines and onboard instructions
Location
H83R+GQ5
Cooperativa de transporte acuático Santiago de la Gloria , Portobelo
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(110 Ratings)
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Trav3ler12
Jul 25, 2025
- I highly recommend this boat tour! We had a wonderful day on the water with Jenny and her crew. The boat was quaint and ideal for a small group, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Jenny was incredibly accommodating and even prepared us the perfect meal.
We stopped at a beautiful lagoon where we had time to swim, followed by a visit to a local beach with great drinks and snacks. The hotel pickup and drop-off were seamless, which made the experience even more convenient.
After the tour, I realized my glasses had fallen out in the vehicle. I contacted Jenny, and she responded immediately, reaching out to the driver. By the next morning, the driver had returned my glasses to my resort. I was so grateful for their honesty and quick response.
Thank you, Jenny, for such a memorable tour. I'd definitely do it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Simon
Jul 17, 2025
Great way to spend a day - Great experience!! Our captain and his stew were amazing and very friendly. Always made sure we were happy and made us a great lunch on the boat. Plenty of water toys and snorkel gear for everyone on our trip to be happy. Mangroves were breathtaking and the lagoon was quiet and peaceful. Can’t wait to come back and do a longer trip next time!
English was great and Jenny knows a handful of other languages to be able to communicate with everyone. I even left my RayBan Meta glasses and they contacted me ASAP so I was able to get them back before leaving Panama.
Worth the hour and a half drive from Panama City and suggest getting all of your boat provisions before leaving. There is not a lot of places to stop on the way once you leave Panama City area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alexis_l
Jun 19, 2025
This was a great tour,... - This was a great tour, the boat owners were very friendly, lunch was delicious, and the weather was beautiful. The mangroves were truly something special to see. I highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Panama. In my opinion, better than San Blas!
Review provided by Viator
Jcq399
Jun 15, 2025
Amazing trip through Venas Azules - Amazing trip, the boat is well maintained and comfortable. The scenery in Venas Azules was breath taking, we got to see beautiful species while snorkeling and even got a visit from a rare spider monkey.
Totally recommended!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anne_d
May 31, 2025
Great day in the sun! - Everything was well planned and communication was great! We went with our kids, as a family of 6 and there was another family also- there was plenty of room. Capt was easy going, safe, friendly, and not pushy or in a hurry — the day was great!!
Review provided by Viator
Mael
Mar 8, 2025
Beautiful day at sea - Very nice day of sailing.
The sites are beautiful, although a little too crowded.
My kids loved it.
This is by far the best activity we did in Panama.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bridey_p
Mar 7, 2025
Amazing day - I would recommend this 100%. We had beautiful day on a catamaran, such blue blue water! Saw so many fish while we were snorkeling! The food that was made for us was delicious. I can't saw enough good things about the day we had.
Review provided by Viator
Kristin_b
Mar 1, 2025
Outstanding Experience - From start to finish, Jenny and the rest of the team were outstanding. Our driver was early navigated the messy carnaval traffic returning back to our hotel! Please book this, you won’t regret it. The views are beautiful, nice people and very professional. Lunch is included but you may want to bring snacks since it’s 7-4:30 (pickup/drop off).
Review provided by Viator
Maggie_e
Apr 22, 2025
The overall experience... - The overall experience was a good would, and I would recommend as an option to see the Caribbean coast of Panama. The driver was on time, and got us to where the boat met us in a timely manner. It is a long drive though! We stopped half way at a market which had a good bathroom and was a great option for snacks - it’s a long day so I would recommend having snacks because by the time lunch comes around you’ll be hungry. Lunch was good especially considering we were on a boat. It does take a long time to get out to where you make your first stop, and it can be bumpy so bring medicine if you get sea sick. We felt very safe with the transport both on the boat and the drive out. All in all, it’s a long day, they offer a lot, and it’s a good way to see the Caribbean coast if you want to just stay in Panama City for your stay
Review provided by Viator
Rebecca_s
May 2, 2025
Mixed Experience - The crew and captain on this excursion were absolutely amazing — kind, skilled, and clearly passionate about what they do. Jenny, the coordinator, also seemed wonderful and helpful during the booking process.
That said, we unfortunately had a disappointing experience due to the weather. There were active thunderstorms in the area, and when I reached out to Jenny with concerns, I was told this was “normal for the rainy season” and not a problem. However, when we arrived, visibility was very poor, and we noticed we were one of the only boats out on the water — which immediately felt like a red flag.
The stormy conditions made the experience feel unsafe at times, and we couldn’t really enjoy the views or water activities. While I completely understand that weather is out of anyone’s control, I do feel strongly that we should have been offered the option to reschedule for another day with safer, clearer conditions — especially given the no-refund policy, which made us feel stuck.
If the weather had cooperated, this could have been a 5-star experience thanks to the incredible crew. I would just caution others to ask clearly about the weather policy before booking and consider scheduling this earlier in your trip in case it needs to be moved.
Review provided by Viator
