3 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
English
Included
€ 157.78
€ 145.16
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
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Embark on a thrilling and unforgettable boat ride through the serene and picturesque waters of Gatun Lake, nestled within the world-famous Panama Canal. This unique tour offers an exciting opportunity to get up close to the massive ships that traverse the canal, marveling at their sheer size and the impressive engineering that allows them to navigate such a crucial waterway. As you cruise through the lake, you'll be surrounded by lush, tropical landscapes, rich with local fauna. Expect to encounter a variety of colorful tropical birds, exotic wildlife, and stunning plant life that make this area one of Panama's most diverse and vibrant ecosystems.
Throughout the journey, you'll be guided by an expert local guide who will share fascinating insights and stories about the history of the Panama Canal, the importance of Gatun Lake, and the incredible biodiversity that thrives in the region. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or an adventure seeker, this tour offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and historical significance. It’s an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Panama’s most impressive and unique ecosystems, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
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Gatun Lake is a mostly freshwater (slightly saline near the locks) reservoir to the south of Colón, Panama. At approximately 85 ft. above sea level, it forms a major part of the Panama Canal, carrying ships 21 miles of their transit across the Isthmus of Panama. It was created on June 27, 1913 when the gates of the spillway at Gatun Dam were closed. The water level was about 48 feet above sea level and was expected to fill to operating levels in the next six months. The average depth is 42 feet. Due to the heavy ship traffic and crocodiles, snakes, and other interesting fresh water creatures, human use of the reservoir is not allowed. The lake is another engineering marvel in the chain of engineering marvels that make up the Panama Canal.
We went through varying degrees of sun, clouds, light, dark on out trips through the lakes. The waters turned a vibrant green probably due to the vegetation from the 1'000s of streams that run into Gatun Lake. I spent much of my transits on the lookout for Crocodiles, but did not see any, although others claimed they did. This is the area of the Canal where the ships heading in the other direction pass by, which can be quite alarming the first time it happens. All of a sudden there is a ship coming around the corner from the other direction, it turns and heads toward you, and then slips by maybe 100 feet away. Big vessels like these don't tend to get so close in the ocean so this was new experience. Once you get out of the Chagres River passage, areas of the lake open up although there are more channels within it due to the islands. You are surrounded by jungle on all sides.
Great views on the lake! There is so much to see here. The wildlife that you could get glimpses of and the ship headed to the Canal entrance from the Caribbean side make a cruise on the lake worthwhile.
Beautiful, fantastic, huge lake (actually, hard to believe it's artificial) surrounded by magnificent national parks. Quiet, peaceful, yet certain parts are very busy due to Panama Canal traffic. Excellent view all around.
It's used by yachts to transit through the Panama canal locks. It's beautiful and a quiet place. We were lucky to see some crocodiles basking for some sun.
