monkey island tour, gatun lake, the panama canal
A visit to Monkey Island(s) is one of the more popular shore excursions for a good reason. Monkey Island and the surrounding islands teem with white-faced, howler, mono-titi monkeys, aquatic birds, and caiman, a local species of alligators, bats, and more. For the animal lover, there is a lot to see.
There are no trails to hike. You can enjoy everything from the comfort of your seat. It couldn't be easier or more enjoyable. It's a tour I highly recommend.
Monkey Island Tour – just one of the many curious white-faced capuchin monkeys introducing himself. If you love animals — monkeys in particular — the Monkey Island Tour is for you.
Monkey Island Tour – a view of Gamboa Resort's over-the-water restaurant from Gamboa's public boat ramp. To the left is one of the resort's 27 eco-lodge-style suites draped with lush verdant rainforest when viewed on larger screens. The resort's marina is to the right, behind the foliage. And along the top, to the right, Gamboa Resort's Aerial Tram observation tower.
Your shore excursion commences and concludes at the Gamboa Resort Marina, which lies just east of the Panama Canal and offers expansive views of the Chagres River, the canal's primary source of fresh water. No, it isn't the French Riviera, but it is a beautiful setting and a wonderful place to begin your tour.
All other tours, irrespective of whether you are an independent traveler or participating in a pre-organized tour, depart from Gamboa's public boat ramp located just across the river.
After departing from the dock, your tour boat will pass under two bridges before entering the channel. The first was recently completed and is limited to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The second bridge nearest the Canal was constructed during the initial construction era and is now used exclusively by the Panama Canal Railway. Before the completion of the new bridge, it served dual purposes.
The trip to Monkey Island includes an enjoyable 15-20-minute boat ride along the channel. The boat ride alone is well worth the price of admission.
Upon entering the channel, to your left is the famous Gaillard Cut, the thinnest portion of the Canal stretching approximately 8-9 miles. It is also known as Culebra Cut for its abundant curves; Culebra means snake in Spanish.
But to reach Monkey Island, your tour boat will turn right and pass in front of the Panama Canal Dredging Division, where you should see cranes, tugboats, barges, and other heavy equipment. Just before it, on the channel's left or west side, is a small anchorage, where you might see commercial vessels moored, waiting to recommence transit, or even tugs and barges. There's always a lot going on here, so keep your eyes open when passing, and have your camera ready.
This section of the Canal is relatively narrow and shallow, so the water, even on windy days, is customarily flat and calm; the resident tugs and barges make the tallest waves, not the large commercial vessels. Surprisingly, they leave minimal wake when transiting. Aside from a bit of water spray, everyone should remain dry unless it rains. While en route, you are likely to pass several commercial vessels like this one making northbound or southbound transits, but it depends on your tour's departure time. Until 10:00 / 10:30 a.m., you'll likely see only northbound vessels, which travel in the same direction as your tour boat en route to Monkey Island. Between 10:30 and 12:30 p.m., you should see vessels transiting in both directions. And after 12:30 / 1:00 p.m., only southbound vessels.
Make sure to keep an eye on the red and green buoys along the channel; the red buoys are along the left or west side and green to the right or east side. For example, at Gamboa, the red buoy reads #101, and at the entrance to Monkey Island, it reads #69/69A. Knowing this will help you familiarize yourself with the channel and give you an idea of how far or close you are to Monkey Island.
Monkey Island resides just east of the channel and is blessed with a limited but sizable colony of white-faced capuchin monkeys, which, like the other two monkey species, have grown accustomed to tour boats and tourists. So it's common, even expected, to see them converge on the boats when they arrive. But white-faced capuchin and mono-titi monkeys are surprisingly friendly, curious, and adventurous, unlike the larger and more vocal howler monkeys, which tend to remain higher in the canopy. They love to introduce themselves and pose for photographs. Sometimes, they parade through the boat like they're on a catwalk and will even sit on your lap. It's incredible how unrestrained they are and seemingly happy to see you. So, if you want to see monkeys up close and personal, this is the place, and this is your tour.
After Monkey Island, your tour boat will head elsewhere for howler and mono-titi monkeys. The area consists of several small islands, quiet coves, and parts of the mainland, and the guides, after so many years of running tours, have a knack for finding wildlife. I've even seen bats! Just keep your eyes open and your camera ready.
Monkey Island Tour – I caught this fella savoring a juicy slice of pineapple while holding on to the boat's awning.
Monkey Island Tour – a mono-titi — the smallest of the three monkey species — wrestles with a pineapple on the front deck of the tour boat. Similar in size to a house cat, they are very friendly and have beautiful brownish coats.
Monkey Island Tour – a white-face monkey carrying a baby on her back. It goes to show you how comfortable they are around people.
Monkey Island Tour – the area consists of several small islands and quiet coves, and the guides, after so many years of running tours, have a knack for finding wildlife. You should see all three monkey species, several species of aquatic birds, caiman (small alligators), bats, and more. Just keep your eyes open and your camera ready!
To be close to the action, the best place to sit is upfront. The monkeys often jump onto the front deck from the forest canopy. With that said, they make their way around the boat, up and over seats, so you should get a good look at them wherever you are seated. The canvas cover does not reach the very front of the boat, giving those in front a better view of the forest and animals. Just pray it doesn't rain! The next best place to sit would be along either side, particularly if you are taking pictures. Look for a place where the frame for the Bimini top does not obstruct your vision or movement.
For those planning to take pictures using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, I recommend using a body or auto-focus lens with image stabilization. The tour boat is very stable, but you are sitting, and the monkeys are moving, so it can be difficult to lock focus. In addition, you'll often be shooting up into the canopy, which, even on a sunny day, can be dark, making it even more difficult. Thankfully, the area around Monkey Island is well protected, and the water is shallow, so weather conditions shouldn't be too problematic, even if it is windy.
A fast 70-200mm or 70-300mm is best to photograph the monkeys from a distance. A long, fast prime lens might work but will probably lead to plenty of missed opportunities because the monkeys are unpredictable and cover ground quickly. One minute, they bounce around the deck, and the next, they jump between the Bimini top and nearby tree limbs. Under these circumstances, a prime lens won't work well. For moments when the monkeys are aboard the boat, a zoom lens between 25-75mm should work well.
Given how acrobatic and hasty the monkeys are, a hand-held or gimble-mounted cell phone or action camera might deliver the best results, though not necessarily the highest quality. It's impossible to predict where they will be at any given moment. They are constantly moving.
For the boat ride to and from and moments when moving from island to island, a 16-50mm should be fine. If you've never seen a commercial vessel, tugboat, or barge up close, you'll be shocked to see how large they are.
Whether using a cell phone, DSLR, or action camera, be sure to have the settings the way you want them before arriving because the action unfolds quickly.
The guides are very amicable and accommodating, so if you see something you want to photograph, don't hesitate to ask.