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Zapatilla Island Tour from Bocas del Toro
Our Zapatilla Island Tour from Bocas del Toro takes you to Cayos Zapatilla and some of the natural highlights of Panama’s Caribbean coast. This full-day boat adventure from Bocas Town combines wildlife spotting, snorkeling, island hopping and tropical beaches.
Travel through Dolphin Bay, the mangroves of Bahía Honda, Hollywood Cove and Cayo Coral before visiting Cayos Zapatilla in Bastimentos Island National Marine Park. The itinerary also includes time for lunch at Cayo Coral and a visit to the Hollywood Natural Pool before returning to Bocas Town.
Please note: The itinerary, order of stops and time spent at each location may vary depending on weather, sea conditions and operational factors. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Zapatilla Island Tour at a Glance
- Price: US$44 per person
- Tour type: Small-group boat tour
- Duration: Approximately 6 hours
- Availability: Daily, subject to availability and suitable conditions
- Departure: Approximately 9:45–10:00am from Bocas Town
- Return: Approximately 4:00pm to Bocas Town
- Main stops: Dolphin Bay, Bahía Honda, Hollywood Cove / Natural Pool, Cayo Coral and Cayos Zapatilla
- Included: Local guide, boat transportation, mask and snorkel, fruit platter, drinking water and an onboard cooler
- Additional costs: National park entrance fee of US$10 per international visitor, lunch, hotel transfers and personal expenses
Table of Contents
- Zapatilla Island Tour at a Glance
- Zapatilla Island Tour Itinerary
- Cayos Zapatilla
- What’s Included
- What’s Not Included
- What to Bring
- Important Booking Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tour Cancelation Policy
Zapatilla Island Tour Itinerary
Your adventure begins in Bocas Town, where you’ll board a local boat for a full day exploring the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Your exact meeting point and departure instructions will be provided with your booking confirmation.
Dolphin Bay
Visit Dolphin Bay, a sheltered area known for sightings of bottlenose dolphins. Keep your eyes on the water as your boat travels through the bay.
Dolphins live freely in their natural environment, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Follow your guide’s instructions and observe wildlife without disturbing it.
Bahía Honda & Sloth Spotting
Continue toward Bahía Honda, a mangrove-lined bay on Isla Bastimentos. Look into the treetops for sloths resting among the tropical vegetation.
The surrounding mangroves provide habitat for wildlife and offer a different landscape from the open Caribbean waters and beaches you’ll experience later in the day. Sloth sightings depend on animal activity and visibility.
Hollywood Cove & Starfish
Visit Hollywood Cove, where starfish may be visible beneath the shallow water when conditions allow.
Please observe starfish without touching them or removing them from the water. Leave marine animals in their natural environment and follow your guide’s instructions.
Cayo Coral Snorkeling
At Cayo Coral, use the included mask and snorkel to explore Caribbean waters around coral formations and look for tropical fish and other marine life.
Snorkeling opportunities and visibility depend on weather and sea conditions. Avoid touching coral or standing on reef formations.
Cayos Zapatilla
The highlight of our Zapatilla Island Tour is Cayos Zapatilla, two tropical cays surrounded by Caribbean water and lush vegetation within the protected Bastimentos Island National Marine Park.
Also known in English as the Zapatilla Cays, these islands are among the best-known natural destinations in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Enjoy the beach and tropical scenery, with swimming opportunities when conditions allow.
Please respect protected areas, leave wildlife undisturbed and follow your guide’s instructions throughout your visit.
Lunch at Cayo Coral
The itinerary includes time for lunch at a local restaurant at Cayo Coral. Lunch is not included in the tour price, allowing you to choose from the available menu options.
Restaurant meals typically cost approximately US$12–US$18, although menus and prices may change. Bring cash for lunch and any additional drinks.
Hollywood Natural Pool & Return to Bocas Town
The itinerary also includes the Hollywood Natural Pool, a shallow-water area where starfish may be visible below the surface. The timing of this visit may vary with the day’s route and conditions.
After the day’s activities, cruise back through the archipelago and return to Bocas Town at approximately 4:00pm.
What’s Included in the Zapatilla Island Tour
- Local guide
- Boat transportation throughout the tour
- Snorkeling equipment: mask and snorkel
- Fruit platter
- Drinking water
- Onboard cooler box
What’s Not Included
- Lunch at Cayo Coral: restaurant meals typically cost approximately US$12–US$18
- Additional food and beverages other than the included fruit platter and drinking water
- Hotel transfers
- Bastimentos Island National Marine Park entrance fee: US$10 per international visitor
- Optional gratuities, souvenirs and personal expenses
National park entrance fee: The US$10 entrance fee per international visitor is paid separately and is not included in the tour price. Our team will provide instructions for completing the required payment.
What to Bring on Your Zapatilla Island Tour
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Lightweight sun-protective clothing
- Comfortable sandals or water shoes
- Waterproof phone case or dry bag
- Reusable water bottle
- Cash for lunch, gratuities, souvenirs and personal expenses
- Your booking confirmation and national park payment instructions
Sun protection: We encourage guests to use sun-protective clothing and to be mindful of products entering the marine environment while swimming and snorkeling.
Important Information for Your Zapatilla Island Tour
Meeting Point & Departure
The tour departs from Bocas Town at approximately 9:45–10:00am. Hotel transfers are not included. Follow the meeting instructions provided with your booking confirmation and arrive at the confirmed meeting time.
Weather & Sea Conditions
Bocas del Toro has a tropical Caribbean climate, and weather can change quickly. The itinerary, snorkeling locations, order of stops and time spent at each destination may be adjusted depending on weather and sea conditions.
Wildlife
Dolphins, sloths, starfish, tropical fish and other wildlife live freely in their natural environment. Sightings depend on animal activity and local conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Protecting the Marine Environment
Cayos Zapatilla and the surrounding waters form part of a protected marine environment. Please do not touch coral, handle starfish, disturb wildlife or leave trash on the islands. Always follow your guide’s instructions while visiting protected areas.
Last-Minute Bookings
Reservations made after 6:00pm for the following day are subject to confirmation. Please wait for explicit confirmation from our booking team before considering a last-minute reservation confirmed.
Explore More of Bocas del Toro
Looking for more island, wildlife and snorkeling experiences? Explore our Bocas del Toro tours to discover more ways to experience Panama’s Caribbean archipelago.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Zapatilla Island Tour cost?
The tour costs US$44 per person. The national park entrance fee of US$10 per international visitor is additional. Lunch, hotel transfers and personal expenses are not included.
Where does the tour depart from?
The tour departs from Bocas Town at approximately 9:45–10:00am. Your exact meeting point and meeting time will be provided with your booking confirmation.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately six hours, with a return to Bocas Town around 4:00pm. Timing may vary with weather, sea conditions and operational factors.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. Snorkeling opportunities and visibility depend on conditions on the day of your tour.
Is lunch included?
No. The itinerary includes time to purchase lunch at Cayo Coral. Meals typically cost approximately US$12–US$18. A fruit platter and drinking water are included in the tour.
Will we see dolphins and sloths?
The itinerary visits areas known for dolphin and sloth sightings, but these animals live freely in their natural environment. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Are hotel transfers included?
No. Please make your own way to the confirmed meeting point in Bocas Town.
Tour Cancelation Policy
Please read our Tour Cancelation Policy before booking.
TOUR CANCELATION POLICY
Tao Travel 365 strives to deliver the best possible customer experience. If at any point you have a question or concern about our service, please call us at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email us at sales@taotravel365.tours.
The following cancellation policy applies only to day tours and does not apply to multi-day tours.
TOUR POLICIES
Due to the nature of our business, the logistics involved in organizing tours and high reservation demand, the following refund policies apply:
- A 100% refund, less credit-card processing fees, will only be granted when the tour was booked directly through www.taotravel365.tours and the cancellation is received more than 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour.
- No refund will be granted for cancellations received less than 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour.
All sales are final.
For bookings made through third-party platforms, including but not limited to Viator, Expedia and Airbnb, please refer to and follow the cancellation policy of the platform through which you booked.
If you are unable to attend your reservation, contact us as soon as possible. We will try to reschedule your reservation for the same tour or another tour when possible.
If you are not at the designated meeting point at the scheduled reservation or pickup time, Tao Travel 365 reserves the right not to provide a refund. However, we will always make a reasonable effort to locate you at the meeting point and contact the WhatsApp number provided with your reservation. We want you to participate in the tour and enjoy your experience.
CANCELED OR POSTPONED TOURS
Occasionally, tours may be canceled or postponed because of weather or ocean conditions, mechanical failure or other unforeseen circumstances. If this occurs, we will attempt to contact you and provide information about the applicable refund or rescheduling options.
For specific instructions regarding a canceled or postponed tour, please contact us. If Tao Travel 365 cancels your tour, we will issue a refund or offer to reschedule you for another tour, as detailed below.
REFUNDS
All sales are final. Refunds are not available unless a tour is canceled or postponed by Tao Travel 365, or we receive a cancellation request more than 24 hours before the scheduled start of an eligible day tour.
For eligible cancellations received more than 24 hours in advance, a 100% refund of the tour price will be issued, less payment-processing and convenience fees. If Tao Travel 365 cancels or postpones a tour, we will refund the amount paid for the affected tour. Service, payment-processing and convenience fees are nonrefundable.
To request a refund for a canceled or postponed tour, email sales@taotravel365.tours within two days of the tour cancellation and include the word “Refund” in the subject line. We will provide instructions for completing your request.
TOUR EXCHANGES
Tao Travel 365 does not ordinarily offer tour exchanges. In certain exceptional circumstances, such as a cancellation by Tao Travel 365, we may offer an exchange or rescheduling option. Availability is not guaranteed, and additional fees may apply.
To inquire about an exchange, call us at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email sales@taotravel365.tours.
Reviews
EXCELLENT
2285 reviews
Posted on Getyourguide
JaniceAugust 21, 2025Verified
Amazing day trip to do from Bocas del Torro! We were so lucky to see all the wildlife and the time of Zapatilla island was just magicalPosted on Getyourguide
IngaJuly 28, 2025Ein sehr schönes, durchdachtes Erlebnis! Wir haben Delphine, Faultiere, Seesterne und Papageien gesehen. Wir hatten überall ausreichend Zeit und der Besuch im Maritimen Naturschutzgebiet mit Traumstränden war ein Highlight. Der Guide hat sehr darauf geachtet, dass wir alle genug Tiere finden. Es war ein wunderschöner Tag , trotz Regensaison, von der wir nichts gemerkt haben.Posted on Getyourguide
HeikelJuly 24, 2025We did the tour during the rainy season but got lucky and there wasn’t a drop of rain! So we got to enjoy a beautiful day with almost nobody on the island. We got to see dolphins, sloths starfishes and coral ! 10/10 Don’t hesitate!Posted on Google
Sara Ruiz LobatoJuly 18, 2025
El tour a Cayo Coral y Zapatilla ha sido espectacular! Nuestro guia el señor Ruiz fue un súper buen guia y anfrition! Amanecio lloviendo pero enseguida salio el sol y disfrutamos muchisimo de todo el tour! Un super gusto y placer! Sin duda volveriamos mil veces más! Gracias mr. Ruiz!!Posted on Google
Alaycia SmithJune 14, 2025It was a beautiful tour! They use WhatsApp to communicate so make sure you can text through that. Also be sure to get your national park pass done before the tour starts for zapatilla island- they communicated that very clearly which was so nice. The day was absolutely beautiful and did not feel rushed or too much. We left at 10 and got back around 4:30. (Lunch is the last thing and only cash so make sure to eat something before you go!) We had an good guide Amir. We saw dolphins, sloths, sharks, jellyfish, etc. So many fun creatures and such a fun tour! Would highly recommend this for your trip to Bocas!Posted on Getyourguide
MárkMay 29, 2025Verified
Zapatilla is beautiful, it was a nice trip all in all.Posted on Google
Shamecia PowersMay 22, 2025my group of 4 had an amazing time with Amir on the zapatillos tour! Amir is friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. my 80-year old grandmother was traveling with us and he made sure she was comfortable and gave her special assistance. we had some rain come through, but Amir was quick on his feet and rearranged our itinerary to avoid the rain and still get us time on all of the stops. the locations are beautiful and the restaurant we visited was delicious! i highly recommend this tour and Amir.Posted on Tripadvisor
Shamecia PMay 21, 2025Verified
Amazing Time with Amir my group of 4 had an amazing time with Amir on the zapatillos tour! Amir is friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. my 80-year old grandmother was traveling with us and he made sure she was comfortable and gave her special assistance. we had some rain come through, but Amir was quick on his feet and rearranged our itinerary to avoid the rain and still get us time on all of the stops. the locations are beautiful and the restaurant we visited was delicious! i highly recommend this tour and Amir.Posted on Google
Jennie van HarenMay 20, 2025Great tour by Amir, very interesting information and well prepared. Couldn’t de a better guide for the tour! Beautiful phenomena, a must see in Bocas del Toro. The 3M dock seems informal and we were unsure if we were at the right place. But the pick up was on time and the boat well equiped. Would recommend it to anyone!Posted on Getyourguide
GetYourGuide TravellerMay 20, 2025Beautiful we saw slots, dolfins and a lot of fishs and Zapatilla Island are amazing.Posted on Tripadvisor
Jackson RichmanMay 19, 2025Verified
Rejuvenating — but don’t forget cash! Was a memorable experience in what is a paradise. Should have known in advance that only cash was accepted at the restaurant. Had to withdraw from the ATM upon returning from the day trip (gave the change plus a dollar as tip to the guide, who paid for my lunch).Posted on Tripadvisor
Ana Isabel BApril 28, 2025Wonderful captain, highly qualified Hard day of rain and rough sea but Amir was excellent. We saw dolphins, snorkeled and cayed valuable sneaker for both its landscape andFor his Olaya and that day did not accompany. Opting for professionals in the Toures is a sure hitPosted on GetyourguideGetYourGuide TravellerApril 27, 2025Journée magique ! L'île Zapatilla est un bijou. Nous y avons vu des raies, un petit requin et plein de poissons ! Les guides sont également très sympas. Merci à Amir et Jeffrey ! Sortie à faire absolumentPosted on Getyourguide
SaskiaApril 25, 2025Die Tour war sehr entspannt und hat uns sehr gut gefallen. Zuerst haben wir Seesterne und Delphine beobachtet. In den Mangroven haben wir Faultiere und Vögel entdeckt. Der Guide ist sehr nett gewesen und hat uns mit Infos zur Natur und Tierwelt versorgt. Lunch gab es in einem Restaurant (muss extra bezahlt werden). Es war lecker und dort haben wir auch noch einen Ara und einen Rochen gesehen. Anschließend schnorchelt man. Zum Schluss geht es auf die Insel Cayo Zapatilla, wo wir 2 Stunden zum Entspannen hatten.Posted on Google
Ignacio Segovia MarcosApril 23, 2025Muy buena experiencia. A pesar de que el tiempo no acompañaba, Amir nos dio un impresionante tour. Repetiremos cuando volvamos!Posted on Tripadvisor
Dipak PApril 19, 2025Great family tour and travel Gorgeous views. Saw many starfish, dolphins and sloths too! Many differed landscapes. Wetland interiors was amazing too. Zapatilla island was beautiful. Our guide and host was good too. Highly recommend. Our kids age 13,10,7 had a great time. Snorkeling and swimming in the wide open sea was nice too.Posted on Getyourguide
AndreaApril 15, 2025Una actividad obligatoria. Cada punto del recorrido es maravilloso. Nuestro guía Amir muy bueno, conocedor del lugar. Vimos delfines, muchos, estrellas de mar, perezosos, hicimos snorkel y los arrecifes una maravilla. El almuerzo y el lugar muy bueno.Posted on Tripadvisor
367debstApril 12, 2025Not the best tour The dock was a little hard to find and a bit chaotic as lots of other boats were in and out loading. We did see starfish, a couple of sloths and some dolphins which was good. However, the boat is a pretty rough ride. Glad we had life jackets as we rose out of our seats a number of times. The stop at Crawl Cay to order food seems pointless, why not order online when booking. Also the toilet there was absolutely disgusting. No flush so it stank and no water to wash hands. Back out a couple of minutes away to snorkel but there was nothing much to see. Then returned for lunch (we didn’t order anything so just sat and had a drink). Zapatilla island is pretty but there’s literally nothing there, except more disgusting toilets, some with no doors on. Enjoyed a small beach walk and a dip in the sea but needed something to drink. Amir was a good guide finding the wildlife but in 7 hrs we only got 1 water each and a beer. MUCH more is needed.Posted on GetyourguideKarinMarch 25, 2025Guide konnte fast kein englisch, man bekam keine Erklärung über Ablauf usw. Die Zapatilla Insel war komplett überlaufen, zum Schnorcheln an der Coral Bay war es viel zu spät, man bekam nichts zu trinken, erst 20 Minuten vor Ende der Tour. Kein Verständnis dafür. Insgesamt schlecht organisiert. Leider enttäuschend für den hohen Preis.Posted on Tripadvisor
Excursion709794March 21, 2025Fun day with Amir We had a perfect weather day for island hopping, snorkeling and beach time. This was our second time with Amir and he was great. We also enjoyed a tasty lunch. I would recommend this tour as part of a Bocas stay.Posted on GetyourguideLucasMarch 19, 2025Was ein super Ausflug. Amir ist ein top Guide, hatten sehr spass den ganzen Tag 😁 Können diese Tour weiterempfehlen.Posted on Tripadvisor
JillMarch 19, 2025Island hopping We had a great time touring islands, snorkeling, seeing starfish, dolphins and sloths! Our guide Aris was very knowledgeable and friendly!Posted on Tripadvisor
Henry GMarch 18, 2025Extraordinary island hopping tour Amir drove the boat and was our guide. He did an excellent job showing us many starfish and dolphins, some birds, and a sloth in a mangrove swamp. I am 65-years-old, overweight and with a bad knee. With Amir's assistance I was able to get on and off the boat each time. I did skip the snorkeling, and I was glad I did. Someone younger than I struggled with the ladder back onto the boat. Even without the snorkeling I really got my money's worth. And my fellow tour members said they enjoyed the snorkeling that I missed doing.Posted on Getyourguide
CristinaMarch 16, 2025Un tour muy completo y muy lindo. Tuvimos oportunidad de ver muchos delfines. Incluso algunos haciendo piruetas cerca a nosotros. La comida estuvo muy rica. Y la playa Zapatilla, espectacular y sin mucha gente. Nuestro capitán, Lorenzo, nos trató de la mejor manera posible, haciendo de nuestra experiencia, un hermoso momento.Posted on Google
Trudy CollinsMarch 14, 2025We had a wonderful day viewing dolphins, starfish, sloths and then placed an order for lunch. Off snorkeling to see some coloured coral and various fish. The lunch was delicious 😋 and Zapatilla Island was beautiful, fabulous swimming. Highly recommend this tour 👌Posted on Tripadvisor
Konstantin KMarch 6, 2025Fantastic! 5/5 The tour was perfect. The meeting point was the 3R Mall. You can reach the pier to the right of the entrance.We were able to observe dolphins, see sloths, and even a caiman in the mangroves. While snorkeling, we saw all kinds of fish and corals! We discovered numerous starfish on the return trip.The lunch break came at just the right time. Water and beer were also offered during the rides. Diving masks and snorkels were provided if you didn't have your own.The visit to Zapatilla Island is incredibly beautiful. The captain brought us safely and reliably from station to station. Absolute recommendation.Posted on GetyourguideGetYourGuide TravellerMarch 4, 2025The tour was good, we saw dolphins, sloths and visited Zapatillha island which was paradise. However the snorkelling stop was ok, since the equipment could be improved. The masks were all foggy and it was hard to see if you wouldn’t clean the all the time. The food in the restaurant is quite pricy (13-16$ per dish) bring a few snacks with you. Zapatillha island is a dream, and you’ll love the place. Ensure to pay the entry ticket through the link. Also make sure to ask that they can pick you up from where you are staying. We couldn’t select Bastimentos as pick up location but then then we picked up several people from Bastimentos island and had to wait 20min for them in the boat.Posted on Tripadvisor
C DFebruary 20, 2025Amazing trip Fantastic tour. Really enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend. Our guide was great and did his best to show us things. Zapatillo is beautifulPosted on Google
Lauren OlivierFebruary 19, 2025We had the best time on the Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach. Everything was super smooth. The islands were absolutely gorgeous. Amir and Emmanuel did a great job taking us around pointing out all the dolphins, sloths, birds, and other wildlife. There was also a delicious place we stopped for lunch. One of my favorite meals of the trip. They only accept cash so be sure to bring some. 10/10 recommend.Posted on GetyourguideGetYourGuide TravellerJanuary 25, 2025Zapatilla am Abend war tollPosted on Tripadvisor
Amy SJanuary 25, 2025Beautiful day tour of a a beautiful place! Despite rainy weather, our wonderful Captain worked so hard to ensure we saw many dolphins jumping in the waves. The snorkeling was everyone’s favorite, the highlight of the tour - beautiful coral and fish, so magnificent in colorful! And the Zapatillos island, the marine park was beautiful too though the clouds and rain made it less enjoyable than the rest. One tip- don’t forget to buy your entrance tickets for the marine park online ahead of the tour! We forgot and our Captain kindly and graciously was able to arrange with the entrance staff so we could go on the island. But it is not favored by the staff so an inconvenience, best to purchase ahead of time.Posted on Getyourguide
GetYourGuide TravellerJanuary 13, 2025Toller Ausflug zur Trauminsel Zapatilla 2. Unterwegs 2 Faultiere und Delfine gesehen. Bootsführer Dave sehr hilfsbereit, alles erklärt, essen auf Cayo Coral gut.Posted on Tripadvisor
Coconut BDecember 8, 2024worth every penny!!!! It was AMAZING!! Absolutely fantastic experience! The island-hopping day tour from Bocas del Toro to Zapatilla was a dream come true. The crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and lush greenery made every moment breathtaking. The tour was well-organized, and the crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the area.Snorkeling among the colorful marine life was a highlight, and the stop at Zapatilla Island felt like a visit to paradise—pristine beaches and serene vibes. We even spotted dolphins along the way! It was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Bocas del Toro. Worth every penny!Load more
