Bocas del Toro Cultural and Tropical Wildlife Ecotour Snorkeling

Bocas del Toro, Panama
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Duration6h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Join me and my beloved indigenous friends-turned-family on their mainland farm and beautiful forest where howler monkeys roar, toucans hop from branch to branch in the forest canopy. Sloths are often seen hidden among the leaves and caimans, iguanas and even poison dart frogs are also a possibility. Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast or perhaps a bird lover, this is the tour for you--the mainland birding is fantastic for all the species found here on the Western Caribbean Slope. While we explore this natural wonderland, we'll be accompanied by members of the Ellington Family, they are my co-guides and you will learn much from their beautiful and fascinating culture.

Options

Optional Reef Snorkeling

Coral Reef & Mangrove Snorkel : On our return to Bocas, this is one of my favorite snorkel spots, we'll explore coral reef, seagrass & mangrove ecosystems.
Duration: 45 minutes

Bocas del Toro Cultural and Tropical Wildlife Ecotour Snorkeling

Pickup included

What's included

  • Snorkeling Gear: Mask and Snorkel
  • Binoculars Available and Spotting Scope for Up-Close Wildlife Viewing
  • Option to be dropped off at Floating Bar for Lunch around 2 or 3pm
  • Snorkel Session at Beautiful Coral Reef, Paid Onsite
  • Taxi or Boat Transport to Meeting Location on Isla Colón Paid Onsite

What to expect

  1. Bocas del Toro Province
    3h
    As we enter Dolphin Bay along our journey to Finca Ellington, we'll keep an eye out for Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, a population unique to Bocas del Toro. Sometimes we see mothers with calfs, so we'll be keeping a sharp eye out on our way to Ellington Farm.

    As we disembark at the Finca Ellington, we'll be welcomed by my dear, lovely Ellington's, an indigenous family delighted to share their beautiful land with us.

    We'll follow my beloved Ellington youths, my "co-guides”, who are learning names of the species of wildlife & birds in English.

    As we hike the trail, we have chances to see sloths, iguanas, monkeys, parrots, poison dart frogs, toucans & caimans.

    As we meander into the rainforest I will regale you with an in-depth eco-education on the fascinating tropical ecology of Bocas del Toro.

    Heads up: The trail has some hills & potential to be muddy down below, so we'll be sure not to wear our favorite shoes this day!
  2. 45m
    After we say our goodbyes to the Ellington family, we hop back into the boat & stop at an incredible snorkel spot before we get back to Bocastown!

    This spot hosts a dazzling population of corals, a colorful array of sponges & all manner of young fish that depend on the protection of the reef & mangroves.

    This is a multi-ecosystem stop, snorkeling the coral reef, seagrass bed & mangrove forest edge. I'll shed light in depth on what species we see and we'll discuss as to how the combination of these three habitats are crucial to the health of our oceans.

    Special sightings may include parrotfish, 60 species of colorful sponge, barracuda, jacks, cowfish, Caribbean whiptail ray, upsidown jellyfish & a vast array of filter feeding invertebrates that thrive in these calm, life-giving waters. It is simply astonishing to see the number of different species in one square meter of reef.

    We will jump in the water from the boat & climb up a ladder back into the boat after we're done snorkeling.
  3. 1h 20m
    For our final stop, guests can opt to be dropped off at the Floating Bar with Yours Truly, if you're interested in having drinks and/or a bite to eat with your guide.

    Here's where you can ask any other questions you might have about Bocas nature and culture. For snorkeling, this location is super, and in a spot that looks quite a bit different than our Dolphin Bay snorkel stop!

    While we're together, you'll have chance to use the mask/snorkels (included) but because this is the end of the day's tour and just a fun stop if you're interested, I won't be guiding snorkelers. However, I will have a fish guidebook we can peruse together!

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

My captain and I will be awaiting you outside the Transporte Marítimo Bocatoreño located right in the heart of Bocastown on Isla Colón.

End point

My captain and I will be awaiting you outside the Transporte Marítimo Bocatoreño located right in the heart of Bocastown on Isla Colón.

End point

Drop off and pickup at a variety of locations.

Pickup details

I can send a taxi to pick you up if you're on Isla Colón out of town that'll take you to the departure location. Dropoffs can be at the same or a different location as requested by the guests.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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$25.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Bocas Biodiversity: Birding & Wildlife Ecotours · Booked through Viator
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