Our most popular tour, and the perfect way to see the highlights of Bocas del Toro in a single day on the water. This full-day boat trip leaves our dock at 9:30 AM and returns around 5:00–5:30 PM, winding through the islands of the archipelago with several stops to swim, snorkel and soak up the Caribbean.
What to expect on the tour
The day usually begins at Dolphin Bay, a sheltered inlet where resident bottlenose dolphins are often seen swimming and playing around the boats. From there we head to Cayo Coral, a shallow reef with over-water restaurants where you can snorkel among colourful fish and place your lunch order for later.
The main event is Cayo Zapatillas (the Zapatilla Cays) — two uninhabited islands ringed by white sand, palm trees and turquoise water, sitting inside Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, Panama’s protected marine reserve. You’ll have plenty of beach time here, with a fringing reef just offshore for easy snorkeling.
After returning to Cayo Coral for lunch, the boat visits Sloth Island in Bahía Honda, where three-toed sloths can be spotted resting in the mangroves, and finishes at Hollywood Reef, a shallow, calm spot for a final snorkel among starfish and reef life.
Good to know
- Price: $35 per person, including pick-up and drop-off at Saigon Bay.
- Departure: 9:30 AM, returning around 5:00–5:30 PM.
- National park fee: a separate $10 per person entrance fee for Cayo Zapatillas (not included in the tour price). Pay it online on the morning of your tour (in case the weather changes) at Entradas Parques Nacionales de Panamá, the official MiAmbiente park ticket site.
- Lunch: optional at Cayo Coral (around $10–15 per person), or bring your own.
- Bring: reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, water and a dry bag — snorkeling is a big part of the day.
You pay the captain in cash on the day — no prepayment needed. If the weather turns bad that morning, you can cancel; just let the captain know ahead of time. To book, let us know at least a day in advance and we’ll arrange everything. The boats and captains we work with have the highest reputation in Bocas del Toro, and almost all of our guests use them and come back delighted.
Before you goAntes de ir
You must pay the park fee onlineDebe pagar la entrada al parque en línea
Cayo Zapatillas is inside Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park. The $10 per person entrance fee is not included in the tour price and is paid online.Cayos Zapatillas está dentro del Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos. La entrada de $10 por persona no está incluida en el precio del tour y se paga en línea.
Wait until the morning of your tour to pay. If the weather turns stormy, you can cancel the tour that day, just let the captain know ahead of time, and you will not have paid for a park ticket you cannot use.Espere a la mañana del tour para pagar. Si el clima amanece tormentoso, puede cancelar el tour ese mismo día, solo avísele al capitán con anticipación, y no habrá pagado una entrada que no va a usar.
- On the morning of your tour, open the MiAmbiente park reservations site (button below).La mañana de su tour, abra el sitio de reservas de parques de MiAmbiente (botón abajo).
- Select Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos).Seleccione Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos.
- Choose that day's date and the number of people, then pay.Elija la fecha de ese día y el número de personas, y pague.
- Keep the confirmation on your phone for the day of the tour.Guarde la confirmación en su teléfono para el día del tour.
From our dockDesde nuestro muelle
Book with your hostsReserve con sus anfitriones
- Pickup at Saigon Bay or your hotel anywhere in Bocas del ToroRecogida en Saigon Bay o en su hotel en cualquier parte de Bocas del Toro
- Pay the captain in cash on the daySe paga al capitán en efectivo el mismo día
- Plus the $10 park fee, paid online the morning of the tourMás la entrada al parque de $10, que se paga en línea la mañana del tour
- Message us at least a day aheadEscríbanos con al menos un día de anticipación
Not staying with us? We still book it for you, and the boat picks you up at your hotel.¿No se hospeda con nosotros? Igual se lo reservamos y el bote lo recoge en su hotel.
See more Things to Do
Club Remo Caribe – Outrigger Canoe Paddling
Playa Istmito, Bocas Town – 5-min walk from Saigon Bay
V6 Tue & Thu 6am & 4pm · Intro Saturdays
Starfish Beach, Boca del Drago & Bird Island Tour
Isla Colón
$30 / person • Departs 10:30 AM
Cayo Zapatillas Tour
Zapatilla Cays, Bastimentos Marine Park
$35 / person • Departs 9:30 AM
