Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama
3.7
Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama
By Etreker Travel
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Ages 7-99, max of 15 per group
Duration: 7h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More
Highlights
- National Park fees
- Entry/Admission - Crawl Cay (Kraal Cay)
What's not included- Lunch
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Start:
- C. 1ra 10-133, Bocas del Toro, Provincia de Bocas del Toro, PanamaDeparture Point: Taxi 25 dock Address: c.1a
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 18436P7- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Minimum of 2 people per booking
- Maximum of 15 people per booking
- Most travellers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers
- All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 18436P7
From
€63.92
per adult
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Similar experiences
Itinerary
- C. 1ra 10-133, Bocas del Toro, Provincia de Bocas del Toro, PanamaDeparture Point: Taxi 25 dock Address: c.1a
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3.7
18 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
4
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Patricia S
2 contributions
The experience was great. The fact that I paid over double what everyone on the boat paid because I booked through Trip Advisor did not sit well. I will NEVER book through your site again. I do not mind paying a convenience fee but that is extortion.
Written 12 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip H
Durham, NC14 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
You should really know going in that this is an operation that needs a lot of work, and that there is a lot of room for improvements. First of all, we were instructed to show up at 9:30, told that it wasn’t departing until 10:00, and actually left around 10:30. Mind you, we had a hard time knowing boat we were going out with, and meanwhile boats with smoky, smog-spewing single stroke outboard engines drive in and out of the dock, trying to kill us all by carbon monoxide poisoning. How are those things still legal anywhere? And once we left the dock, we had to re-dock two more times, once for no discernible reason and the other for a couple being pick up a few dozen buildings away up the waterfront. We were crammed four abreast into those long boats capped at about 22 people each, and at long last, on our way to a distant island. These boats are really fast but really unstable at slower speeds, and hard to load and unload. We went some 30 minutes away to dolphin island, where we saw a couple rare dolphins break the surface over a period of maybe 10 minutes rocking back and forth in the choppy waters due to the lack of forward stabilizing motion. Not very fun. Then off for another half hour ride through the patchwork of mangrove swamps peppering the otherwise open sea. To a dock with attached wooden decking that has seen better days. Many thousands of them. I feared that my 220 pound frame was ill-suited to walking on wooden slats so fragile as some of these decks were, and going to the bathroom meant navigating a rail-less walkway dangerously elevated above the water. No operator in the US could survive the lawsuits they would face when (not if) these planks drop some people into the water. The reason for this stop? To place an order for your lunch to be served about three hours later. Why not skip this whole thing, give us a menu via email, and let us all respond with our orders?
Well, then a stop to get gas at another dock—unbelievably delivered in gallon-sized plastic jugs, and poured one by one into their small onboard tank. Can’t anyone see the danger of open cans of gasoline in a boat full of people? Someone is going to bobble one of those bottles of gas one day, and in falling, spark a fire that threatens to kill all aboard unable to throw themselves overboard fast enough to escape the roaring flames.
Then off to a small island called zapatilla cay with a sandy beach. On a sunnier day, this idyllic setting with palm trees would have made the trip there worthwhile. From there, it was like a film run in reverse, back to the dock, back to get gas, back through the mangroves. Short stops to troll around a starfish cay, or to snorkel for 10-15 minutes. Stuff like that.
Now let’s imagine a better run organization:
You sign in and are assigned a boat #, and a boarding time and a place to wait. Departures are staggered to avoid the chaos of trying to load all boats at the same time. Ban smoky outboards from the dock. No multiple stops to pick up stragglers. Fix your food dock and have some railings put in! Give out color coded bracelets to keep the boat groups together and on the same schedule.
Well, then a stop to get gas at another dock—unbelievably delivered in gallon-sized plastic jugs, and poured one by one into their small onboard tank. Can’t anyone see the danger of open cans of gasoline in a boat full of people? Someone is going to bobble one of those bottles of gas one day, and in falling, spark a fire that threatens to kill all aboard unable to throw themselves overboard fast enough to escape the roaring flames.
Then off to a small island called zapatilla cay with a sandy beach. On a sunnier day, this idyllic setting with palm trees would have made the trip there worthwhile. From there, it was like a film run in reverse, back to the dock, back to get gas, back through the mangroves. Short stops to troll around a starfish cay, or to snorkel for 10-15 minutes. Stuff like that.
Now let’s imagine a better run organization:
You sign in and are assigned a boat #, and a boarding time and a place to wait. Departures are staggered to avoid the chaos of trying to load all boats at the same time. Ban smoky outboards from the dock. No multiple stops to pick up stragglers. Fix your food dock and have some railings put in! Give out color coded bracelets to keep the boat groups together and on the same schedule.
Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maritzebill2
Cologne, Germany104 contributions
When we booked, it said that there would be a maximum of 8-10 people, and there were 13 of us. First we went to Sloth Island. We actually saw sloths. Our guide talked a lot, but otherwise he was busy watching some stupid videos (with sound) with his girlfriend. The next stop was at the dolphins. We saw them too. We were among the first, after we were allowed to watch the dolphins for about 15 minutes (and about 6 other boats showed up, we went snorkeling. Everyone got out of the boat, snorkeled for 45 minutes and then got back in the boat. Make sure you pack your clothes in plastic bags because the water will be standing in the boat afterwards. Then we went to a beautiful island (I forgot the name). You could lie in the sand and swim or walk around the island. At a set time everyone had to get back in the boat and we went on to a floating restaurant where the other boats had landed. It really could have been done without. I also didn't like the fact that the 7 hours that the trip was supposed to last included a good hour of restaurant visits. On the way back we went to a place where you could see starfish from the boat (we had already seen them in peace at Starfish Beach!).
All in all, I would rent a private boat with a driver and ask for the tour to be acyclic. Sloths and dolphins were nice, the rest is beyond your control.
All in all, I would rent a private boat with a driver and ask for the tour to be acyclic. Sloths and dolphins were nice, the rest is beyond your control.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lillian G
8 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
This tour was amazing! Isla Zapatilla is absolutely stunning. Snorkeling and seeing the coral covering the bottom of the ocean floor was a whole new world. The Capitan even took us on a little detour to see an area where a bunch of starfish hang out near the mangroves. It was magical. We waited to see dolphins in Dolphin Bay and ate a late lunch. I would recommend bringing snacks and plenty of water. The lunch restaurant ranged from $15-$25, not including drinks. If you don't want to spend that much, bring plenty of snacks.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PilarPFC
Panama City, Panama11 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
The beaches of Bocas del Toro are a true paradise, there are various excursions offered on Isla Colón where they will take you to truly beautiful nearby islands. I recommend renting electric bicycles to explore the island and especially visit Playa Estrella. There are many hotels on Isla Colón so you can choose the one that suits your budget!! Fully recommended!
Written 8 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yaniv Levy
Tel Aviv, Israel11 contributions
Apr 2018
Every tourist has to go to Bocas!!
Bocas is great for Nightlife, Youngsters and Olders will find any evening and night life experience there.
in addition, great restaurants and hotels .
Bocas is great for Nightlife, Youngsters and Olders will find any evening and night life experience there.
in addition, great restaurants and hotels .
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erica B
1 contribution
Apr 2019 • Couples
This place told us they would pick us up from our location, once we told them we were 8 hours away they refuse to pick us up. I then called within more than 24 hours in advance to try to cancel to get my money back, and no one ever answer the phone. I then email them telling them the situation and they refused to give me my money back. They had advertised stating you can cancel within 24 hours for a refund and I called two days in advance and they send an email stating no refunds. I was very unsatisfied with this service. We didn’t end up going and they refused to refund my money back.
Written 23 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matei M
22 contributions
AVOID THIS COMPANY, for the following simple reasons:
Given our experience all over the world, with tens of trips (I wanna say over 100, but let's say tens), we xan safely say this is one of the worst possible choices.
For 90USD per person, you can book a PRIVATE tour. Just you two on the boat, taking you wherever you want to go. So this trip is a rip-off, it would be worth maybe 15usd, but STILL A BAD EXPERIENCE.
Panama can be a paradise, but also a hell-hole. Make the right choices, go lodge ay Red Frog, take private tours from there. You'll be living in Paradise and visiting different Paradise zip codes every day 🙂
Given our experience all over the world, with tens of trips (I wanna say over 100, but let's say tens), we xan safely say this is one of the worst possible choices.
For 90USD per person, you can book a PRIVATE tour. Just you two on the boat, taking you wherever you want to go. So this trip is a rip-off, it would be worth maybe 15usd, but STILL A BAD EXPERIENCE.
Panama can be a paradise, but also a hell-hole. Make the right choices, go lodge ay Red Frog, take private tours from there. You'll be living in Paradise and visiting different Paradise zip codes every day 🙂
Written 6 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Boquete, Panama21 contributions
Jan 2022
When I booked this trip it was advertised as a private tour, but it most definitely did not turn out that way.
Booked through Tripadvisor, which passed it to Viator, then finally to Gambitt (who is blameless in this as they were the final provider and had nothing to do with the booking). Do not EVER book through Tripadvisor. They used to be good prior to deciding it was ok to take a slice of the tour pie.
I emailed Viator asking them to pick up our party of six at our dock as it was a private tour. Just got a response saying we needed to go to their dock. OK, I figured maybe they needed to fit us for snorkel gear.
Oh, so wrong. All of it.
This was not a private tour, even though we paid over $67/per person for six of us. Total bill $406.20. Everyone else on the boat paid $35 per person. Just two days prior to this we hired a private boat for 10 of us for the day and it was $200.00. We know what a boat is supposed to cost.
We tried to talk to someone in charge who could actually do something but no luck.
So we joined the group tour with 10 others packed on the boat. First we stopped and harassed a family of dolphins for a few minutes, then we went to the lunch spot to order ahead.
We then went to the snorkeling spot, where we were all handed one-size-fits-all snorkel/mask combos. One size does not fit all.
I wasn't able to enjoy the snorkeling as the mask didn't fit well, but my family said it was pretty good even though there were four other tour boats in the same spot.
Speaking of other tour boats, our guys pulled up to another tour boat and gave them about a case of water and a bunch of sodas for some reason. Turns out this was important as after two hours on the beach there was not enough water for everyone on the boat. We had to buy bottled water at the restaurant when we got back.
All in all, once we gave up on the fact that we didn't get what we paid for--and paid twice as much as everyone else--the actual tour wasn't bad. The guides were friendly. The beaches and ocean around Bocas are beautiful so it's hard to stay mad, but F Tripadvisor and Viator for screwing us.
Never again.
Booked through Tripadvisor, which passed it to Viator, then finally to Gambitt (who is blameless in this as they were the final provider and had nothing to do with the booking). Do not EVER book through Tripadvisor. They used to be good prior to deciding it was ok to take a slice of the tour pie.
I emailed Viator asking them to pick up our party of six at our dock as it was a private tour. Just got a response saying we needed to go to their dock. OK, I figured maybe they needed to fit us for snorkel gear.
Oh, so wrong. All of it.
This was not a private tour, even though we paid over $67/per person for six of us. Total bill $406.20. Everyone else on the boat paid $35 per person. Just two days prior to this we hired a private boat for 10 of us for the day and it was $200.00. We know what a boat is supposed to cost.
We tried to talk to someone in charge who could actually do something but no luck.
So we joined the group tour with 10 others packed on the boat. First we stopped and harassed a family of dolphins for a few minutes, then we went to the lunch spot to order ahead.
We then went to the snorkeling spot, where we were all handed one-size-fits-all snorkel/mask combos. One size does not fit all.
I wasn't able to enjoy the snorkeling as the mask didn't fit well, but my family said it was pretty good even though there were four other tour boats in the same spot.
Speaking of other tour boats, our guys pulled up to another tour boat and gave them about a case of water and a bunch of sodas for some reason. Turns out this was important as after two hours on the beach there was not enough water for everyone on the boat. We had to buy bottled water at the restaurant when we got back.
All in all, once we gave up on the fact that we didn't get what we paid for--and paid twice as much as everyone else--the actual tour wasn't bad. The guides were friendly. The beaches and ocean around Bocas are beautiful so it's hard to stay mad, but F Tripadvisor and Viator for screwing us.
Never again.
Written 3 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tama H
Concepcion, Chile8 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
In Panama City I rented a rent a car for a few days. I arrived in the city of David and the next day I left around 7:20 am bound for Almirante. It should be noted that to get to Bocas dwl Toro you must reach Almirante, it is a town that is where the ferry leaves that crosses to Isla Colón.
The road is very winding, road in poor condition. 1-way route with some huge holes that make traffic difficult. Be careful that you may encounter police controlling you on the road, so try not to exceed the speed.
I arrived at Almirante super dizzy, but we arrived at 10:45 am. Ferry departures are at 6 am and then at 11 am. Pay close attention to the guys who approach you as soon as you arrive at Almirante town. Some travel by bicycle and as soon as they see you asking about the ferry, they approach to tell you that it has already left and that they can store your vehicle for a sum of money.
Fortunately, I had read another traveler's post and didn't fall for his opinions. I asked a local where the hell I could take the ferry and he told me. It's close to a fire station... but yeah, it's a little tricky to get your bearings.
Well, I arrived at the ferry at 10:51 am and was the last car to enter. The rate is 40 dollars and they only charge for the vehicle.
That's my experience so far, I hope it helps someone else.
The road is very winding, road in poor condition. 1-way route with some huge holes that make traffic difficult. Be careful that you may encounter police controlling you on the road, so try not to exceed the speed.
I arrived at Almirante super dizzy, but we arrived at 10:45 am. Ferry departures are at 6 am and then at 11 am. Pay close attention to the guys who approach you as soon as you arrive at Almirante town. Some travel by bicycle and as soon as they see you asking about the ferry, they approach to tell you that it has already left and that they can store your vehicle for a sum of money.
Fortunately, I had read another traveler's post and didn't fall for his opinions. I asked a local where the hell I could take the ferry and he told me. It's close to a fire station... but yeah, it's a little tricky to get your bearings.
Well, I arrived at the ferry at 10:51 am and was the last car to enter. The rate is 40 dollars and they only charge for the vehicle.
That's my experience so far, I hope it helps someone else.
Written 5 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola!! Viajo en abril 2025 y quiero hacer el tour a cayo Zapatilla, Coral y Delfines. Voy sola. Cómo puedo hacer para reservar???
Written 26 February 2025
Hola!! Viajo en abril 2025 y quiero hacer el tour a cayo Zapatilla, Coral y Delfines. Voy sola. Cómo puedo hacer para reservar???
Written 26 February 2025
a que hora comienza el recorrido y a que hora termina?
Written 19 February 2020
Marcela E
San Jose, Costa Rica
El precio es por persona? Hay precio para grupos? Somos seis adultos y 3 niños de 10, 5 y 3años.
Cómo sería
Written 24 September 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.