Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro: Rainforest hike & reef

Rainforest wildlife and a working reef in one morning

A 6.5-hour snorkeling and wildlife tour in Bocas del Toro that combines a guided rainforest hike at Finca Ellington with a coral reef snorkel stop, led by a naturalist guide and indigenous co-guides who teach you the ecology of both ecosystems. Snorkeling gear is included. You can add an optional stop at the Floating Bar afterward. Children from age 6 are welcome, and pickup is available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife hike and snorkeling tour

• Travel through Dolphin Bay
• Arrive at Finca Ellington farm
• Hike trail with Ellington youths
• Observe sloths, iguanas, monkeys, birds
• Learn about tropical ecology
• Boat to snorkeling spot
• Snorkel coral reef and mangroves
• Return to boat after snorkeling
• Optional stop at Floating Bar
• Enjoy drinks and snacks
• Use mask and snorkel at bar

The experience

You start by boat through Dolphin Bay, where Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins unique to Bocas del Toro sometimes surface with calves. The boat lands at Finca Ellington, a mainland farm and forest owned by an indigenous family who co-guide the hike. As you walk the trail (which has hills and can be muddy), you move through the canopy looking for sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, iguanas, poison dart frogs and caimans. The guide explains the tropical ecology as you go, and the Ellington youths, learning species names in English, walk alongside you pointing out what they spot.

After the hike, you return to the boat and head to a snorkel site where the reef, seagrass bed and mangrove forest edge meet. You jump in from the boat and climb back up a ladder when you're done. The water here hosts parrotfish, 60 species of colorful sponges, barracuda, jacks, cowfish, Caribbean whiptail rays and upside-down jellyfish: the guide walks you through what you're seeing and explains why these three habitats matter to ocean health. The reef is calm and shallow enough that young fish shelter here in large numbers.

At the end of the day, you can choose to be dropped at the Floating Bar with your guide for drinks or food and a chance to ask questions about Bocas nature and culture. Snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel) is included throughout. Binoculars and a spotting scope are available for closer wildlife viewing on the hike. The tour runs 6.5 hours total and is led in English or Spanish.

What’s included

• Snorkeling mask and snorkel.
• binoculars and spotting scope for wildlife viewing on the rainforest hike.
• boat transport through Dolphin Bay and to the snorkel site.
• guided rainforest hike at Finca Ellington with indigenous co-guides.
• in-depth eco-education on tropical ecology and reef ecosystems.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

2 options

Optional Reef SnorkelingGuide in English or Spanish · 07:30 and 08:30Coral Reef & Mangrove Snorkel: On our way back to Bocas, this is one of my favorite snorkeling spots, where we'll explore coral reef, seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. Duration: 45 minutes

Bocas del Toro Cultural and Tropical Wildlife Ecotour with SnorkelingGuide in English or Spanish · 07:30 and 08:30Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:30

AgesAdult (21 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 18 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Bocas Biodiversity: Birding & Wildlife Ecotours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see rainforest wildlife and a working reef in the same morning without splitting your day between two separate outings. The combination of the hike and the snorkel stop means you experience two ecosystems and their connection to each other, rather than one or the other alone.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 18 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

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 24 h before the start.

What wildlife might I actually see on the rainforest hike at Finca Ellington?

Sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, iguanas, poison dart frogs and caimans are all possibilities on the trail. The guide and the Ellington family co-guides watch for them as you walk, and the mainland birding is particularly strong for the species found on the Western Caribbean Slope.

What's the snorkel spot like, and what fish and corals will be there?

The reef snorkel stop combines three ecosystems (coral reef, seagrass bed and mangrove forest edge) in calm, shallow water. You'll see parrotfish, 60 species of sponges, barracuda, jacks, cowfish, Caribbean whiptail rays and upside-down jellyfish, plus young fish that depend on the reef and mangroves for shelter.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear, or is it provided?

Mask and snorkel are included. Binoculars and a spotting scope are available if you want closer views of wildlife on the rainforest hike.

How physically demanding is this tour?

The rainforest trail has hills and can be muddy, so you'll want sturdy shoes you don't mind getting dirty. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.

Can I add a meal or drinks at the end of the day?

Yes, you can choose to be dropped at the Floating Bar with your guide after the snorkel stop for drinks and food. This is optional and arranged at checkout. It's a chance to relax and ask more questions about Bocas nature and culture.