Portobelo's white-sand coves sit on Panama's Caribbean side, reached by small boat after a short run from the capital. You swim at Playa Blanca, Venas Azules, Starfish Beach and Puerto Francés, then eat a fish lunch on the sand.
The road reaches Portobelo through the national park and the harbour town, then you board a small boat at the marina. The first hop is about 30 minutes of Caribbean water, with spray on the bow and life jackets if the skipper asks. Those boat legs are part of the day.
Landings cover Playa Blanca, Venas Azules, Starfish Beach and Puerto Francés, with swimming and walking on white sand between hops. The skipper shuttles you between coves, and if one landing is rough you spend longer at a calmer stop. A fish lunch is served on the sand, then you can swim again before the boat back to the marina.
Portobelo sits on Panama's Atlantic coast in Colón province, inside a national park and a harbour with a long colonial story. Playa Blanca, Venas Azules, Starfish Beach and Puerto Francés are reached by boat from the marina.
The drive from Panama City is about an hour on a fair day. Cruise guests can join from terminals in Panama City or Colón, and hotel guests from Panama City or Playa Bonita.
Most travellers can take part. You should be comfortable boarding a small boat, sitting through short hops, and swimming in open water if you go beyond waist depth. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. Bring swimwear, because there is no changing cabin on the sand.
The operator runs this day rain or shine. Pack insect repellent for the tree line, a hat, and dry clothes for the drive home. Tell us if anyone in the group is a weak swimmer so the skipper can keep them in the shallows.
Four named beaches sit in one outing, with the skipper and guide working as a pair from the marina. The group stays at ten, so the boat stays small. Hector has guided in Panama since 2015.
Hotel or cruise-terminal pickup, park fees, bottled water and a fish lunch are in the price. We guide in English, Spanish and French. Special diets are not available at lunch, which we say when you book.
Pickup from your hotel in Panama City or Playa Bonita, or from cruise terminals in Panama City or Colón. The road run to Portobelo is about an hour, with a pass through the national park and the town before you reach the marina and the open Caribbean beyond the harbour wall.
You board a small boat at the Portobelo marina for about 30 minutes to the first beach. Wear the life jacket if the skipper asks, keep bags closed, and expect spray on the hops between coves. Those hops open the water day.
Time on Playa Blanca, Venas Azules, Starfish Beach and Puerto Francés, swimming and walking the sand. The boat shuttles you between landings, and if one beach is rough the skipper spends longer at a calmer stop. Swim at your own depth and stay where the guide can see you.
A fish lunch is served at the beach and included in the price. Special diets are not available. Eat, swim again if you want, then prepare for the boat back.
The boat back to the marina takes about 45 minutes. You can swim in the small pool by the sea, rinse, and change into dry clothes before the drive to your hotel or cruise terminal.
The day covers Playa Blanca, Venas Azules, Starfish Beach and Puerto Francés, reached by small boat from the Portobelo marina. You visit those named coves on one outing, swimming and walking the sand between hops.
Order can shift with sea conditions. If one landing is rough, the skipper spends longer at a calmer stop, so you still get time in the water.
Yes. There is no minimum age. Infants must sit on an adult's lap on the boat. Most travellers can take part.
Bring a hat and extra water for small children, and say if anyone is a weak swimmer. Life jackets are part of the boat kit; listen when the skipper asks you to wear one.
A fish lunch is served on the beach and included in the price. Special diets are not available, so this will not suit guests who cannot eat fish or need a separate kitchen.
Bottled water is included on the transfer and at the table. If you want fruit, extra drinks or a snack after the swim, bring them with you, because the beach stop is a simple served meal.
Yes. Cruise-terminal pickup and drop-off are included for Panama City and Colón as well as hotel pickup in Panama City and Playa Bonita. Tell us the ship, terminal and arrival time when you book.
Be ready at the agreed kerb, not still in the security line. If your ship changes terminal, message us as soon as you know.
About an hour to Portobelo on a fair day, plus time at the marina to board. The boat hop to the first beach is about 30 minutes. Return by boat is about 45 minutes, with a chance to rinse in a small pool by the sea before the road back.
The published window is eight hours door to door so those legs fit without rushing the swims.
No changing cabin on the beaches. Wear swimwear under a cover-up or change discreetly with a towel. A dry set of clothes for the van makes the drive home easier.
At the marina on the way back you can rinse in the small pool and change there if the space is free.
The operator runs this beach day rain or shine. A passing shower still leaves the skipper to decide if landings are safe.
Pack a light layer and a dry bag for phones. If a storm makes the harbour unsafe, the Flexible cancellation rules apply.
The group is capped at 10, with a minimum of two guests. That keeps the small boat and the beach time from feeling crowded.
Your guide stays from pickup through the marina and the hops. The skipper works with that same party, so landings and swim notes stay with people who already know the group.
English, Spanish and French. Ask for one of those when you book so the boat brief is clear before you leave the dock.
Calls about landing and swimming are short. If grandparents and children in the same party use different languages, tell us so we can cover both.
Cancel at least 48 hours before your date for a full refund. Use your booking tools or write to customer care. Inside 48 hours the Flexible policy applies.
If we cannot operate because of force majeure and cannot move you, you receive a full refund. Have your confirmation ready.
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About the centre
Panama City
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