Feb 28 – Mar 7  | $2950

Limited Availability
TRIP IS FINISHED

Join us on this transit through this magnificent feat of engineering! This divide between North and South America has been assisting ships and small craft for over 100 years. It is truly amazing to experience this manmade shortcut between oceans.

All meals on board Sea Dragon are delicious and vegetarian, with the addition of fish if we catch any along the way.

This is not a trip for the infirm or physically unfit – you MUST be able to go up and down the companionway and move safely about the boat while in rough conditions, have good balance, and be in reasonably good health. Please contact us with any health questions or if you answer “YES” to any of the questions on our health questionnaire prior to signing up for the trip!

Ardent Training is offering a significant discount on the RYA Day Skipper Theory online course to anyone signed up for this trip. If you’re interested in taking the course, let us know when you sign up and we can give you the discount code!

If you combine this trip with either Panama Passage or Cayman Cruise, the price is only $950.

KEY POINTS

  • Distance: 45 nautical miles
  • Cost: $2950
  • Date: Feb 28, 2024 – Mar 4, 2024 (9 Days, 8 Nights)
  • Start: Panama City, Panama
  • End: Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama

For more details, please explore the drop down menus at the bottom of the page.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive 
You’ll arrive at the boat on anchor in Panama City on the Pacific side of the canal.

Day 2-8: Canal Transit
We won’t know the exact transit date until the boat arrives in Panama from the Galapagos, but when we do transit it will take two days. We’ll spend one night in Lake Gatun between the Pacific side and Caribbean side of the canal. There’s plenty to explore ashore in Panama City while we wait and once we’re on the other side, some wonderful jungle to hike through.

Day 9: Depart 
You’ll leave the boat at Shelter Bay Marina on the Caribbean side of the canal.

COVID-19:

In order to board Sea Dragon, you must take a Rapid Antigen or Rapid PCR COVID-19 test, administered by a medical professional, no more than 72 hours before boarding the vessel. If you test positive on this test, you will not be allowed to board the vessel, and we will be happy to transfer your booking to a future voyage.

Should a country on the itinerary have additional requirements for entry, you must be able to comply with those requirements – if you cannot, we will be happy to transfer your booking to a future voyage.

THIS TRIP IS FULL: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON THE WAITLIST PLEASE EMAIL INFO@PANEXPLORE.COM

The deposit is only $500. It’s non refundable if you back out, but if we cancel or modify the trip we are happy to return your money or apply it to a different voyage.  Please review the Crew Contract for full details. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the trip begins. Please contact us with any questions.

Contact Us


Call Us: +1 ‪(305) 330-4212‬ (Pacific Time) If we don’t pick up, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

What's Included
Contribution Includes:
– 8 nights accommodation on Sea Dragon
All meals (vegetarian), snacks, and drinks on board
– Boat Instruction
– Safety equipment and foul weather gear
– Mask, fins, snorkels
– Use of inflatable paddle boards

Contribution does not include:
– Transportation to Panama City and from Colon
– Transportation from and to PTY Airport
– Additional nights spent ashore
– Personal expenses while in port

Packing List

It will be a warm trip! Take a look at our Tropical packing list.

Travel Details

Tocumen Internacional Airport Panama (PTY) is about a 20 min taxi from Panama City and 90 min from Colon.

All Crew members are responsible for their own passports and any necessary visas. You must have at least 6 months remaining on your passport beyond our canal crossing dates.
Please look into the specific type of visa you need for arriving at these destinations by sea, or contact us directly to discuss.

Boat Tour

Your Crew
MARY VAUGHAN-JONES – Captain

I grew up in North West England, spending every weekend outdoors in the Lake District. After attending university in Cardiff, I worked as a personal trainer, working in the Middle East for a time before discovering the Clipper Round the World Sailing race. I became completely hooked on offshore sailing and after completing half the 19-20 race (pre Covid!) I gained my Yachtmaster qualification in order to be able to work in the industry. I became the skipper for a youth trust based in the Solent, England, working with young adults in order to widen their horizons and build their confidence which I found immensely rewarding. The itch to see more of the world by sea led me to becoming a freelance cruising instructor which enabled me to work with a variety of companies on a range of boats from 20’ to 70’, cruisers to high spec race boats. I spent some time in the Caribbean and around the UK helping refit boats until the Clipper Race restarted. I returned as a first mate, helping lead a crew of amateurs from the Philippines back to the UK and also completing my own circumnavigation. Having already seen the North Pacific, I’m excited to be on board Sea Dragon and explore more of the Pacific’s waters and islands- showing others the joy of ocean sailing, discovering the world around them and our effect on it, as well as teaching them to sail and work as a team.

Mary holds her Yachtmaster Ocean with commercial endorsement as well as her MCA Proficiency in Medical Care certificate.