WHALE & DOLPHIN WATCHING LAS PERLAS
TOUR DESCRIPTION Don´t miss the humpback whale and dolphin season between July and September and join them during their short visit in Panama in the Archipelago of the Pearl Islands. Your bilingual guide helps you to connect, communicate and interpret the behavior of the whales and dolphins you will encounter on this excursion.
PRICE IN A SHARED 40 PASSENGER FERRY
Adults (13 yrs+) US$240 per person plus 7% tax
Child (5-11 yrs) US$165 per child plus 7% tax
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or contact us for a private whale watching boat charter (custom tour):
TABOGA: from US$1,790 plus 7% tax (for 1-4 pax), US$2,190 plus 7% tax (for 5-8 pax)
CONTADORA: from US$2,850 plus 7% tax (for 1-4 pax), US$3,190 plus 7% tax (for 5-8 pax)
Incl. private boat Grady White 33ft, bilingual Naturalist guide, snacks, lunch, beverages, roundtrip transfers to/from hotel
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INCLUDED Transportation from/to your hotel in Panama City (please note that a $35 per person roundtrip surcharge based on 2+ persons must be added to day tours beginning and/or ending at Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Canopy Tower, Playa Bonita or hotels near Tocumen Airport), roundtrip ferry boat ride between Panama City and the Pearl Islands, bilingual Naturalist guide, lunch including water and ice tea, use of snorkel equipment and beach chairs (subject to availability).
DISCLAIMER Prices and itineraries are correct at the time of printing, however, they are subject to change due to weather or local conditions, availabilities or factors beyond our control.
ITINERARY
Thousands of Humpbacks migrate northwards from their summer feeding grounds around Antarctica, arriving in the region from July through September. They breed and give birth to their calves in the warm, shallow, and safe waters that can be found here in Panama just a few miles off-shore from Panama City. Las Perlas archipelago is located about 35 miles from the Panama Canal´s southern entrance in Panama City and comprises more than 100 islands (many tiny and inhabited). Rich in history and natural beauty native Indians inhabited these Islands until 16th-century Spanish Conquistadors came in search of fortune, glory, and the archipelago's coveted pearls. During this period legend says Isla Contadora or "Counting Island" became the central point where pearls from around the region were sent to be counted, registered, and prepared for transit over the isthmus and finally shipped to Spain. The archipelago has also served as a haven for Pirates from which they would stage daring assaults on the treasure-laden Spanish Fleet, returning to the island's sanctuary to divide and stash their plunder.
You will be picked up early morning at your hotel in Panama City and brought to the ferry check-in on Flamenco Island, Causeway Amador. Board the 40-passenger ferry and depart towards the Pearl islands by 07:30 hrs in the morning. You will leave behind the America’s Bridge and numerous ships that are waiting for their passage through the Panama Canal on the Southern entrance, in the Pacific. You may already spot some dolphins and whales during the ferry ride if you are lucky! You will enjoy approximately 2-hour of whale watching with your bilingual Naturalist guide on board who invites the group to connect, communicate and interpret the behavior of the whales and dolphins you will encounter. You will then stop at a private island in the Las Perlas Archipelago where you have lunch included. Enjoy some leisure time on the beach, swimming or snorkeling (snorkeling equipment not included). Bathroom and changing facilities as well as a beach bar available. The ferry will then bring you back safely to Panama City late afternoon. Your driver will be waiting for you upon disembarking from the ferry at Flamenco Island and transfer you back to your hotel in Panama City.
DETAILS
DEPARTURE DATES 2022
July 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
August 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
September 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 17, 24, 25
TOUR SCHEDULE
06:30 hrs Pick up at your hotel in Panama City
17:30 hrs Approximate return to your hotel in Panama City
WHAT TO BRING
- Original passport (not copies!) is required
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Cap or hat
- Sunscreen lotion
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Light clothing
- Light raincoat
- Set of change clothes
- Sandals or flip-flops are the perfect shoes for the boat and the beach
- A positive attitude for a great day on the boat with the whales
- Note: upon arrival to the island make sure you wear shoes that can get wet or take them off (boat wet-landing)
TIPPING
Ancon Expeditions is Panama’s top eco-tourism operator. Our Natural & Cultural History Guides are the country's finest. Due to frequently asked questions from our clients about suggested guide & staff gratuities, we would like to provide you with the following universal tipping guidelines:
- Naturalist guide: US$10.00-US$20.00 per person/day
- Transfer driver: US$2.00 per person
REVIEWS
“We had the opportunity to admire more than 8 humpback whales with their small calves and innumerous dolphins - we couldn´t be happier! What a life-time experience! Thank you!"
Eva Harrington, Canada