How to choose the best whale watching tour in Panama for you.
When you think of whale watching, do images of Mexico’s coastline and the Baja Peninsula spring to mind? This is the case for a lot of people, but whale watching in Panama is not only absolutely spectacular, you’ll actually find humpback whales in these warm tropical waters most of the year, making it a better option than some of the usual whale watching hotspots.
The Best Whale Watching In Panama City is in the Pearl Islands
Just a short ferry or boat trip from Panama City you will find the famous Pearl Islands. From July through October, these gentle giants take shelter in Panama’s waters on their epic migration from the southern hemisphere. You might be surprised to know this is the longest mammal migration on record. Every year thousands of whales travel 5000 miles from Antarctica to Panama’s Pacific coast to give birth and rear their calves.
And from January to March, Panama is a prime destination for the humpback whales traveling from the Arctic North. Another neat fact: apart from Costa Rica, Panama is the only other place in the world that hosts humpback whale populations from both poles. The whales literally come here from the ends of the earth. Panama truly is a spectacular whale watching destination… Bucket List worthy, really.
When planning a dream holiday such as a visit to Panama, you definitely want to go all out… I mean, when are you going to be in Panama again, right? And with all the amazing things there are to do here, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed. But when you add to that the choice between a private and a public tour, it can be downright difficult to decide.
Video courtesy of Taboga Express
Public Whale Watching Tour, Or Private? Decisions, Decisions!
Take whale watching for example. Among all the incredible, possibly even life-changing things to do and see in Panama, for many vacationers this one is a resounding “yes!”… so the “whether to do it” part is relatively easy in this example. Let’s face it: unless you live right on the water, on a route the whales actually travel, it’s unlikely that these gentle giants are a part of your everyday life.
So whale watching would be a fantastic choice, but… is the public or private option better? Should you splurge on the exclusivity of a private tour, or does the public tour offer interesting options at a better price point for you? Here we’re breaking it down so you can make an informed decision.
Panama Whale Watching: Public Tour With Pearl Island Beach Break
If you love a nice, wide, stable, boat, this tour may be the perfect option for you. You’ll depart early in the morning, ahead of a lot of the other traffic, picking your way through the best whale watching spots throughout the Pearl Islands, guided by an expert (and bilingual) naturalist to help you learn more about the whales in Panama.
After you’ve had a chance to check “whale watching in Panama” off the old Bucket List, you’ll make a stop at one of the most desirable locations in all of the Pearl Islands: Sonny Island Beach resort. You’ll have more than two hours to chill out on the beach, doing whatever you like to do. Lay around in the shade on a chaise (frosty margarita- check), play some volleyball, or go snorkeling. It’s a fantastic way to spend the day… to us, it’s one of the most fun things to do while on holiday in Panama. We love this tour.
Public Tour Pros
As you might expect with a public tour, the price is more affordable. It’s also a larger boat and therefore more stable, with bathrooms and other “creature comforts” on board. With a larger boat comes more protection from the elements too. The sun can be harsh and inclement weather can spring up any time, but on this tour there is plenty of shelter.
The itinerary is well-established, and there is no planning on your part at all. Just show up at the appointed time, and be whisked away. It’s a fun time that’s worlds away from what you might typically experience. Humpback whales, remote jungle beaches, toes in sand and great vibes everywhere!
Public Tour Cons
That big, stable boat has big regulations, and a big turning radius too… so it can’t safely get as close to the whales as a smaller boat. Plus, tour operations are somewhat limited and definitely seasonal. This tour runs from July through September, and on weekends only in most cases.
Panama Whale Watching: A Private Tour With More Agility
With private tours, much of the time, the world is your oyster! You can go anywhere and do anything you want (within reason), and that’s definitely the story with the Panama Whale Watching Private Charter.
You and your whole crew will have a blast maneuvering in and out of the many coves and inlets that each of the 250+ Pearl Islands provides, in the sleek and fast 27’ Proline with twin outboard motors. With this whale watching tour, where you go and what you do is all up to you… and with 8 hours to do it in, you can get up to some pretty amazing stuff!
Private Tour Pros
This is a much smaller and faster boat than the public tour option, so, not only can you more safely maneuver throughout the topography of the land, you can safely get closer to the whales too. In addition to that, there is an option to add a marine biologist to your trip. They bring with them a hydrophone, which allows you to listen to the whales sing. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience! And because it’s a smaller boat, it’s just you and your party, lending to that exclusive “members only” feeling of a private tour. This is an 8-hour day, with several beach and snorkeling options, plus the option to bring your own food and beverages or add catering for an additional cost.
Private Tour Cons
Depending on how many people there are in your party, costs can add up fast. The boat holds up to 9 people, which includes the Captain and crew, so the cost isn’t too bad if you have 7 people splitting it… but otherwise it’s definitely a splurge. Because it’s a smaller boat, the facilities are limited compared to the public tour on the much larger boat. And as you might expect with this smaller, leaner boat, protection from the elements is also limited. Sunscreen is a definite must, and should a storm pop up, the chances of wet hair are really good.
Plenty Of Options For Private Whale Watching In Panama
Because the list of ingredients for a great whale watching tour is relatively small – a good boat and a good guide/Captain – there are lots of ways to put together an amazing whale watching trip that will yield memories to last a lifetime. You can DIY something really great, with your own boat rental and Captain, or choose from the many other published options, like this private catamaran whale watching tour.
Choosing Between A Public Or Private Whale Watching Tour: What Excites You?
The most important things to consider here are a) what you want to do on your whale watching trip, and b) how much you can spend. There is a sweet spot there, with regard to the things that will make your trip meaningful to you, and the associated cost.
It’s easy to think that a private tour is always the preferable option… but that isn’t necessarily true. Especially when it comes to something so rare and spectacular as the opportunity to see a 4 ton whale breach the surface, which, if you think about it, is free. Especially during peak whale season, one could stand on shore and possibly see a whale. The viewing of the whale is free. It’s the experience that is wrapped around the incredible gift of being near the whales, seeing them in their habitat, that you’re looking to curate.
If you never had the chance to go whale watching again, if this was it, what would you want this day to be like? How will you want to recall it in the years to come? What will make it memorable for you? Write the story in your mind, then build it in real life. That is the best choice for you.
Still need help which Panama whale watching tour is best for you? Send us an email, call or Whatsapp +1 210 858 6353 or chat with an Activities Specialist in Panama.