Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Ride, Locks, Fort San Lorenzo
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
This unique tour of the Panama Canal goes from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean as you see the canal from the water and by foot. An exciting boat ride down the canal will introduce you to the transiting ships as well as the abundant wildlife on its shores, followed by a visit to Fort San Lorenzo and the new Agua Clara Locks.
This is not a TRANSIT tour, we wont travel by boat inside the locks.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
The tour starts in a very remote area and there will be no access to public restrooms around 9am
Vegetarian and vegan option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
Minimum age is 3 years
If you will be staying at a hotel area that is not on the list, please contact your local operator prior to booking your tour
This tour is in ENGLISH only, we cannot run the tour in 2 languages without the tour quality being compromised.
Not recommended for travelers with walking problems or other serious medical conditions.
No Wheelchair accessible
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Panama City
This tour begins with hotel pickups starting at 6:10am. I know it sounds crazy to get up so early on your vacation, but you will thank me for it later. Starting this early we can beat the crowds and see more wildlife in cooler temperatures.
Panama Canal
We will ride along the waters of the Panama Canal right next to the ships passing through on their way to the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Our destination is Gatun Lake, where we will cruise around islands created during the canal construction and see the abundant wildlife on its shores.
What‘s Included
Panama Canal boat ride (90 minutes)
Professional guide
Bottled water
Entrance fees
Transport by air-conditioned minibus
A traditional Panamenian lunch is provided ( Rice, chicken, bean, plantains and salad)
Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only)
Gratuities
Due to heavy traffic, no free pickup from hotels located near Amador Causeway, Clayton (City of Knowledge) Playa Bonita. Separate transportation for the an extra charge
Playa Blanca, or Rio Hato, Metromall, Arraijan or Tocumen Airport need to arrange own transportation
This is not a TRANSIT tour, we wont travel by boat inside the locks.
Extra passenger - Minimum age to participate is 3 years
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Central Area Hotels 6:30am
From 6:30 Pick up &Drop off : For Hotels/Airbnb located in Central Panama City Areas. Pick-ups start at 6:30am.
Pickup included
Outside Panama City Areas 6am
Pick up and Drop Off 6am: Pick up starts at 6:00am from areas as Playa Bonita, City Of Knowledge, Amador Causeway, Panama Canal, Costa del este.
Pickup included
Reviews
1,693 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Ocean to Ocean Tour worth the money, highly recommended!
Harvey I,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a phenomenal experience. The guide, John, was experienced and knowledgeable about the history, area, geograph y and animal life we would encounter. We highly recommend this trip. John, who is extremely personable and humourous, also assisted in providing other advice of what to see and where to eat in Panama. Additionally, the tour operator accomodated in providing us with our special dietary meals.
Very good tour
Vera V,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Strongly recommended!!!! Good for all ages. Great team of both guide and driver. Very nice experience.
Amazing tour!
Ryley M,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing tour! Alonso was a great guide and very informative. You can tell her really loves his country and is proud to tell us about its rich history. A guide can make or break a tour in my option and Alonso made it for us and everyone on the tour, you could ask him about anything from sloths to how the Spanish fought off pirates and he had the answer! The tour is so much more than a tour of the canal, it’s an experience. From bus to boat is a great way to take in the canal and seeing the boats up close give a great perspective of the size and scale of the operation in Panama. Plus the side tour of the islands around the canal and the monkeys and sloths makes it even more enjoyable. The food that was prepared was great, everyone on our tour enjoyed it and most went back for seconds! My partner and I really enjoyed this tour.
Canal
Terri T,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great experience. So much more than just the canal. You see nature. It’s more of a land trip then for a transit canal trip. Our guide did not rush us and allowed us to watch a ship go through the first step at the Agua Clara. The autheoPanamanian lunch was delicious. Even more enjoyable eating on the picnic tables at the fort On the way back we stopped on the road for Sloths better eagle eyed drivers saw.
Panama Canal day tour.
N4623IHpeterh,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic day spent touring the canal. Learned a lot and our guide was very professional.
Ocean to Ocean Tour 10/10
davearmy89,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00John and crew were amazing! Super informative! We were a family of 5 with 3 young kids 10/6/4 and my boys said this was the highlight of the trip! We did the ocean to ocean tour and would recommend it over and over again! Seeing the monkeys while cruising up the canal seeing massive ships up close to the vast knowledge that John has made this tour unforgettable! Thank you John!
Couldn't have been better!
53jennifero,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent! (And I tend to hate tours.) Small group, authentic tasty lunch, comfortable/chill van, great guide and just the right mix of nature and canal! Informative, great views, no cheese ball dad jokes, good pace. Very glad I picked this one from all the options. We saw birds, monketys, bats, a sloth, crocodiles and Panamanian raccoons.
A fantastic experience
Helene M,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Recommended, very skilled and knowledgeable guide. A long day with both bus, boat trip, good lunch and a lot of new knowledge about the Panama Canal.
Best tour yet!
Melissa A,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was one of the best tours I have done. We saw so much wild life and the guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Very safe and so much fun.
Best tour - interesting, informative - at the right time in the right place
196susannei,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well organized trip along the canal, boat tour on Gatùn Lake (Monkey Islands area), visit Fort San Lorenzo on the Caribbean Sea or Rio Chagres river delta. Excellent tour guide (John) with many interesting and informative explanations. Very good, fresh lunch, ideal group size.
From US$135.00
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