agua clara locks visitor center, the panama canal
The Agua Clara Visitor Center is the canal's only venue offering panoramic views of Gatun Lake. Aside from the gift shop and projection room, it is entirely outdoors, unlike its sibling at Miraflores Locks. Open and spacious, the center is perched high on a hilltop, overlooking the southern entrance to Agua Clara Locks, and consists of a projection room, gift shop, three large viewing areas, and a .6 mile (1 km) hiking trail.
The primary platform, which resides at the back, overlooks the locks and offers the best views of the lock chambers, control tower, and Atlantic Bridge. To the left are two additional observation areas, providing better views of the anchorage and Gatun Lake.
Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center – given the number of visitors the center receives, the entrance is surprisingly modest; there is only one turnstile. The ticket window is to the right of the entrance. The smaller viewing platform is to the left, and the .6-mile hiking trail is further left and out of view. The expansive observation deck is out back, preceded by the restrooms, souvenir store, and presentation room.
Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center – off to the right, you will see the immense control tower, two adjacent lock chambers, and the Atlantic Bridge in the distance. Neighboring Gatun Locks, further to the left and not visible in this photo, can be seen, though it is a long way away and challenging to discern.
In Agua Clara and Cocoli Locks, all vessels are accompanied by tugboats, fore and aft, as depicted in these photos. In the locks built during the initial construction era — Gatun, Pedro Miguel, and Miraflores Locks — tugboats are not used.
Unfortunately, a long metal security fence runs in front of the viewing platform, partially obstructing your view of the locks and vessels below. I found it annoying. To get a clear, unobstructed view, position yourself at either end of the platform where the ground is higher. Visitors congregate in these areas for just that reason.
The anchorage resides just south of Agua Clara and Gatun Locks. You'll have an unobstructed view from all three observation platforms at Agua Clara Locks and should see several ships during your visit. Depending on a vessel's transit schedule, ships often anchor in the anchorage before recommencing transit, northbound or southbound.
The primary viewing platform has roofing under which you can shelter if it rains or if you want to avoid the sun; the other two viewing areas are open, like the photo above. Ample seating is available, and there is a small playground for children.
If your vessel is making a partial transit into Gatun Lake, you will likely visit the Agua Clara Visitor Center after departing from the Gatun Yacht Club. Your tour bus will cross Agua Clara Locks, giving you a close-up view of the immense chamber doors, control tower, vessels, and tug boats. It's a tour in and of itself!
If your cruise ship is not conducting a partial transit, if you are not visiting the Miraflores Visitor Center, or participating in the Panama Canal Transit Tour, then the Agua Clara Visitor Center is a good choice. There is no better way to see the canal.
For additional information, visit the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center's website.
Google Map - Agua Clara Visitor Center
A wide-angle zoom (15-60mm) and medium telephoto (70-200mm) should be all you need. With the wide-angle, you can capture panoramic photos of the vessels inside the locks — those nearest the viewing platform — and their surroundings. A 12-15mm is required to photograph ships when passing in front of the viewing platform. Despite their distance, the ships are enormous and occupy a lot of real estate. With a telephoto, you can isolate tug boats, chamber doors, ships inside the chambers and at the anchorage, and the immense control tower.
You can record a timelapse of the lock doors/gates opening and closing or vessels departing the chamber and moving toward the anchorage. As mentioned above, the security fence causes problems for wide-angle/panoramic pics, but a longer lens will allow you to shoot over the top.
Camera support isn't required unless shooting video or time-lapse. The viewing platform has a cement foundation, and the open areas along the fence have solid grass footing.