Las Perlas by Private Boat: A Full-Day Escape to Contadora’s Clear Water and Quiet Coves

Panama City•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

6–8 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most travelers; comfortable moving around a boat and swimming or snorkeling if desired.

Overview

Slip beyond Panama City’s skyline to the island calm of Las Perlas on a private full-day boat trip centered on Contadora. Expect clear-water snorkeling, quiet beaches, and a tidal world that sets an easy, ocean-led pace.

Las Perlas by Private Boat: A Full-Day Escape to Contadora’s Clear Water and Quiet Coves

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Sightseeing Tour

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Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

Morning breaks over Panama City’s skyline as the boat hums to life at Ocean Reef Marina. High-rises fall away and the Pacific takes the lead, pushing you past shipping lanes and into open blue. The Gulf of Panama breathes with a steady swell; frigatebirds ride the breeze like kites. About 30 miles offshore, the scattered greens of the Las Perlas Archipelago surface from the horizon—over 200 islands and islets dotted with white-sand crescents and reefs that glitter beneath the shallows. Contadora, the most approachable of the bunch, is where the day finds its rhythm.

Adventure Photos

Las Perlas by Private Boat: A Full-Day Escape to Contadora’s Clear Water and Quiet Coves photo 1

Adventure Tips

Mind the tide windows

Low to mid-tide often reveals sandbars and calmer tidal pools around Playa Cacique and Ejecutiva—ask your captain to time stops accordingly.

Reef-safe sunscreen only

Protect coral and fish by using mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen; apply 20 minutes before you hit the water.

Pack light, pack dry

Bring a small dry bag for phones, cash, and a spare layer—spray and brief squalls are common even on calm days.

Wildlife etiquette

During whale season keep 100 meters from humpbacks; let turtles and rays approach on their terms for safer, longer sightings.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Humpback whales (seasonal, July–October; occasional January–March)
Green sea turtles cruising reef edges

History

Las Perlas fueled Spain’s colonial pearl trade; Contadora’s name comes from the counting of pearls before shipment to Europe.

Conservation

Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching coral or standing on rocks. Keep a respectful distance from whales and turtles—boater behavior directly impacts their health and stress levels.