Complete Transit of the Panama Canal Photo
Harold Photo

Let Harold know what you think!

Days available
Sun, Sat
Schedule
6AM
Languages offered
English & Spanish
Duration
8 hrs
Transportation
Included
Mobile ticket
Included
Complete Transit of the Panama Canal PhotoComplete Transit of the Panama Canal Photo

Get ready to experience the Panama Canal as few travelers do. On this tour, you’ll travel through the entire Panama Canal, including its locks and lakes.

The complete transit of the Panama Canal goes from the Pacific to the Atlantic side of the canal. After boarding the ship, you’ll travel towards the Miraflores Locks. These locks will raise your ship 60 feet (18 m) in two steps. The boat then continues on through Miraflores Lake, an artificial body of fresh water, before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks. Here your boat is again raised through the locks, although this time it’s only 30 feet (9 m) and in one step.

After passing through the Pedro Miguel locks, you will pass under the Centennial Bridge, which crosses the Panama Canal. The bridge was built in 2004 to help supplement the overcrowded Bridge of the Americas.

Next you will make your way through the Gaillard Cut. Although only 8.5 miles (14 km) in length, the Gaillard Cut is carved through the Continental Divide. Its creation was an enormous task, requiring over 9 million kilos of dynamite, 6,000 workers, and six years to complete. The Gaillard Cut connects the Pacific side of the Panama Canal with Lake Gatún and the Atlantic side.

Your boat will then enter Lake Gatún. During the three-hour passage through Lake Gatún, you’ll pass Gamboa and see interesting floating equipment like the floating cranes “Herman the German” and “Hercules.” You’ll also see the jungle and have opportunities to spot wildlife along the shore.

After passing Lake Gatún, you’ll go through the Gatún Locks. These are the final and largest locks in the Panama Canal. They raise your ship 85 feet (26 m) in three steps and are a little more than 1 mile (1.5 km) in length.

On this tour, you’ll experience the Panama Canal in a way that most travelers never do. You’ll enjoy up-close looks at barges, cruise ships, locks and more.

This tour only runs once per month. It leaves at 6:00 a.m. The duration of the tour depends on where you're staying. If you're staying in Panama City, this tour lasts around 8 hours; if you're staying in Gamboa, it lasts around 8.5 hours; and if you're staying in Playa Bonita, it lasts around 8.5 hours.

What to Bring

comfortable clothing and shoes, hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, camera, binoculars and sunscreen.

What's included

transportation, bilingual guide, Panama Canal transit with all fees, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks.

Complete Transit of the Panama CanalComplete Transit of the Panama CanalComplete Transit of the Panama CanalComplete Transit of the Panama Canal

Similar things to do

Panama City and Panama Canal Tour

This tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal provides travelers with an excellent look at some of the area’s best attractions.
Panama City and Panama Canal Tour

Partial Transit of the Panama Canal

During this tour of the Panama Canal, tour participants will experience three of the of the canal’s most famous features – the Gaillard Cut, the Pedro Miguel Locks, and the Miraflores Locks.
Partial Transit of the Panama Canal

Full Day City and Canal Tour

This full-day tour brings visitors to some of the most interesting places around Panama City. You’ll visit Casco Viejo, the Miraflores Locks, the Causeway, and the Biodiversity Museum.
Full Day City and Canal Tour

Expedition Lake Gatún

This tour of Lake Gatún allows travelers to experience the natural wonders of the lake and also get a partial look at the Panama Canal.
Expedition Lake Gatún

Casco Antiguo and City Tour

You’ll get a good look at some of the best attractions in Panama City during this tour, including Casco Viejo (also known as Casco Antiguo), the financial district (think skyscrapers), and the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal.
Casco Antiguo and City Tour

Pacific Queen Cruise Tour on Panama Canal

These Pacific Queen tours of the Panama Canal offer travelers an up-close look at the Panama Canal—its locks, cruise ships, islands, and wildlife. Both partial and full transits are available.
Pacific Queen Cruise Tour on Panama Canal

Historical Tour of Portobelo

Head over to Panama’s Caribbean coast for a day spent exploring colonial fortresses.
Historical Tour of Portobelo

Panama Fishing Tour

On this tour you'll head out into the Pacific Ocean and go either rock or deep-sea fishing. You'll enjoy lovely views and will haul in some seriously impressive fish.
Panama Fishing Tour

Emberá Village Tour

The Emberá are an indigenous group in Panama. During this full-day tour, you’ll visit one of their villages and be introduced to various elements of their culture.
Emberá Village Tour

Jungle Canal Day Tour

This tour covers some of the most interesting parts of the Panama Canal. Lake Gatún makes up a 21-mile (33-m) section of the canal. This area used to be a lush valley – it was flooded to make a manmade lake between 1906 and 1914.
Jungle Canal Day Tour
More things to do
Make the adventure yours

My dream trip in

Panama

That I’ll spend with Group type

Is filled with Trip type

Start my Adventureor
5 Starts
Loading...
View all reviews
Let’s dream together

Sign up to receive the latest news and offers from Anywhere

We care about the protection of your data.
Read our Privacy Policy.
© 2024 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.