San Blas Islands Day Trip: 4 Islands & Snorkeling

Four islands, a sunken ship and starfish in one day from the city

A 12-hour day trip from Panama City to four San Blas Islands with a Kuna guide, shared transport, lunch and snorkeling gear included. You visit Isla Perro Chico (with a sunken wreck offshore), a natural pool, a starfish pool and Isla Perro Grande, with the 2.5-hour drive each way built into the day. The guide speaks Spanish and some English. Pickup runs 5–5:20am from your hotel, and you return to the city around 7pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

San Blas Islands day trip

• Pickup from hotel at 5AM
• Drive to Puerto de Carti (2.5 hours)
• Arrive at Puerto de Carti
• Boat to Isla Perro Chico
• Explore sunken ship and beach
• Lunch at Isla Perro Chico
• Visit natural pool
• Snorkel at star fish pool
• Visit Isla Perro Grande
• Relax and explore Isla Perro Grande
• Return to Puerto de Carti
• Drive back to Panama City

The experience

The day starts before dawn. Pickup happens between 5 and 5:20am from your hotel lobby, and the drive to Puerto de Carti takes about 2.5 hours. You'll arrive at the port by 8:30 or 9am, then board for Isla Perro Chico around 9:30–10am. This island sits above a sunken boat you can snorkel around, and the beach itself is the main draw before lunch arrives around 11:30am. Fresh seafood or chicken with rice, fruits and salads.

After eating, you head to a natural pool (weather and ocean conditions permitting), then to a starfish pool where you snorkel to see the starfish up close. Rough seas mean the starfish may not appear, so the guide will adjust based on conditions. By 2pm you reach Isla Perro Grande, the final stop, where you can swim, relax on the beach or walk the island on your own. Snorkeling masks, life vests and one drink (water, soft drink or juice) are provided. You can bring your own alcohol and extra drinks. The return journey to Panama City takes another 2.5 hours, with arrival around 7pm, though traffic can shift that window.

A Kuna family leads the tour and speaks Spanish, some English and a few European languages. The shared boat and transport mean you travel with other visitors, and the long drive bookends the island time. Most of the 12-hour day is spent getting there and back. Bring cash (no ATMs on the islands), sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, your passport (originals only, no copies) and an adventurous attitude.

What’s included

• Shared round-trip transport from Panama City.
• pickup from your hotel between 5–5:20am.
• snorkeling mask and life vest.
• lunch with fresh seafood or chicken, rice, fruits and salads.
• one drink per person.
• Kuna guide speaking Spanish, English and some European languages.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to9h before

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sea San Blas | San Blas Tours

Is this one for you?Pickup from your hotel at 5am means you don't need a car or a way to reach the port. The boat and transport are arranged. The shared journey suits travelers staying in Panama City without their own vehicle, and the early start gets you to the islands by mid-morning, leaving most of the daylight for snorkeling and beach time before the evening return.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is the sunken ship at Isla Perro Chico like?

Isla Perro Chico has a sunken boat just offshore that you can snorkel around. It sits in shallow water near the beach, making it accessible for snorkeling during the 9:30–10am visit to that island.

Will I definitely see starfish in the natural pool?

The starfish pool visit happens around 1:30pm, but starfish appearance depends on weather and ocean conditions. If the sea is rough or conditions are poor, the starfish won't show, and the guide may skip or adjust that stop.

How much time do I actually spend on the islands versus traveling?

The 2.5-hour drive each way means roughly five hours of your 12-hour day is spent in transit. Island time spans from around 9:30am to 4–4:30pm, with stops at four locations, lunch included, and free time to explore or relax at Isla Perro Grande.

What's included in lunch?

Lunch arrives around 11:30am at Isla Perro Chico and consists of fresh seafood or chicken, rice, fruits and salads. One drink (water, soft drink or juice) is included. You can bring your own additional drinks and alcohol.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling masks and life vests are provided and mandatory. You don't need to bring your own gear, though you can if you prefer. Life vests come in adult and child sizes.

What do I need to bring and what documents are required?

Bring your original passport (no photocopies accepted), cash for the $22 Guna Yala Government entrance fee and any extras, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and aloe vera cream. ATMs don't exist on the islands, so bring what you'll need. You can also bring your own drinks if you want more than the one included.