Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 1,776 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks worth booking?
Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks is a 8-hour experience in Panama City, Panama, from $60 per person. It scores 93 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 1,776 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 93 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (1,776)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $60 per person
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
What you get
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Entrance fees
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus
- Snacks
- Panama Canal boat ride (NO EXTRA FEES)
About this experience
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 the Agua Clara and Gatun Locks, See the original 1914 Gatun Locks, and the 2016 Agua Clara Locks, see over 100 years of engineering in one experience. This is not a TRANSIT tour, we wont travel by boat inside the locks.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Entrance fees
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus
- Snacks
- Panama Canal boat ride (NO EXTRA FEES)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only)
Not included
- 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
What you'll see and do
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.
Pass by without stopping
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.
Pass by without stopping
Lake Gatun
The second-largest artificial lake on the continent, the intact rainforest that surround the lake are one of the few accessible areas on the planet where a diverse flora and fauna endemic to Central America can be observed in its natural habitat.
90 minutes here
Agua Clara Locks
We will visit the Agua Clara Visitor Center to see the new expansion locks working up close. Located on the west side of the brand new Agua Clara Locks, the Agua Clara Visitor Center allows you to observe transiting vessels from a scenic lookout point and learn first hand about the various operations of the Panama Canal, the history of its construction, its participation in the world markets, and the importance of its watershed. An observational deck lets you watch the ships pass through the Agua Clara Locks on their way to the Pacific or Atlantic oceans.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Gatun Locks
Gatun Locks: A newly inaugurated observation deck near the historical locks offers a scenic view of the original canal and Gatun Lake.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Fort San Lorenzo
The next stop will be a visit to San Lorenzo National Park where you will visit a remote rainforest full of flora and fauna, followed by a freshly made picnic lunch and a tour Fort San Lorenzo. A 400 year old Spanish fort on a scenic cliff overlooking the Caribbean, here you will recount the many attacks by pirates and privateers that happened at one of the most historically important places in Panama. The Fort of San Lorenzo, located on an 80 foot (25m) cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea at the estuary of the Chagres River, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 along with the fortifications of the city of Portobelo. It was part of the defensive system for the transatlantic trade of the Spanish Crown, and is a fine example of military architecture of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Fort of San Lorenzo is one of the oldest fortresses in Spanish America. Here you will recount the many attacks by pirates and privateers that happened at one of the most historically important places in Panama.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Panama City
Return to Panama City for Hotel Drop off
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Canal Boat Ride and Locks
Boat Safari: Panama Canal and Gatun Lake. NO EXTRA FEES Duration: 6 hours SNACKS & WATER Agua Clara and Gatun Locks : See the original 1914 Gatun Locks, and the 2016 Agua Clara Locks, see over 100 years of engineering in one experience. Pickup included
Ocean to Ocean XL
Boat Safari: Panama Canal and Gatun Lake. NO EXTRA FEES Fort San Lorenzo: In addition to the boat ride and locks, add Fort San Lorenzo, a historic 17th-century Spanish fortress. Duration: 8 hours Panamanian Lunch: Hot and fresh Panamanian lunch served on-site, with sweeping views of the ocean and surrounding rainforest Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Panama Day Trips
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The tour starts in a very remote area and there will be no access to public restrooms around 9am
- 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
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 3+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $60 to $135
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 622
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Why this scores 93
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Panama City.
How much does Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks cost?
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Prices start at $60 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Panama City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Panama City is not rushed.
Is Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 93 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 1,776 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Panama City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 3. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 8-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks?
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Around 622 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Panama City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Panama City and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Panama City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Panama City?
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On Outty we rank every Panama City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tour to a waterfall and Embera village with lunch included, Panama Canal With Entry Ticket & City Tour: Old Town & City Views, Legends of Casco Viejo Tour: Hidden Gems with Panama Vibes Tours. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Panama City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Panama City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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