Starfish Beach, Boca del Drago & Bird Island Tour

A relaxed day exploring the beautiful beaches at the northwestern end of Isla Colón. This easygoing boat tour leaves our dock at 10:30 AM and visits three of the island’s most-loved spots, with calm, shallow water that’s perfect for wading and snorkeling.

What to expect on the tour

Starfish Beach (Playa Estrella) is the star of the day — a gently curving beach named for the cushion sea stars that rest in the clear, shallow water just offshore. The water here is calm, warm and sandy-bottomed, ideal for a slow swim. One important note we always share with guests: please look but don’t touch — starfish should never be lifted out of the water, as it harms them, and their numbers have already declined from over-handling.

Next is Boca del Drago, a small, sheltered bay backed by mangroves with soft white sand and calm water good for snorkeling. It’s also the perfect lunch stop, with local beachfront restaurants right on the sand.

The tour also takes in Bird Island (Swan Cay / Isla Pájaros), a dramatic offshore rock islet viewed from the boat. Its cliffs are a nesting site for seabirds including red-billed tropicbirds and brown boobies, which you’ll see wheeling around the rock — you observe it from the water, as landing isn’t permitted.

Good to know

• Price: $30 per person, including pick-up and drop-off at Saigon Bay.
• Departure: 10:30 AM.
• Lunch: optional at one of the beachfront restaurants at Boca del Drago (around $10–15 per person), or bring your own.
• Bring: reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, water shoes and a dry bag.

This is one of the gentlest, most family-friendly tours we offer. You pay the guide in cash on the day, with no prepayment needed — just let us know at least a day ahead so we can set it up. 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.