Panama Shelter Bay - Panama Canal - Pacific Coast of Panama to Balboa Yacht Club
Our adventure begins at Shelter Bay Marina, an ideal starting point for sailors planning to transit the famous Panama Canal. Located at the western end of the canal, on the Caribbean coast, the marina offers excellent facilities to prepare us perfectly for our journey.
The first day is dedicated to thorough preparation: We meet for a briefing with our experienced Panama Canal agent, who provides us with all the necessary information for the transit. Passing through the canal requires careful planning and organization, as we must anticipate specific procedures and requirements. Our agent takes care of all the administrative details – from booking the locks to coordinating with the canal pilots – to ensure a smooth transition between the oceans.
On the second day, we set course for the Panama Canal – one of the world's greatest feats of engineering. We pass through the Gatun Locks, which raise us more than 26 meters, and begin our crossing of the vast Gatun Lake. Along the way, we gain fascinating insights into the history of the canal and can enjoy the breathtaking scenery that unfolds around us.
On the third day, we reach the Culebra Cut, the narrowest and steepest section of the canal. Here, the scenery becomes particularly spectacular as we wind our way through the rock-framed canal, taking in the dramatic views. At the end of the Culebra Cut, we face the passage through the Miraflores Locks, where we finally enter the Pacific Ocean – an unforgettable moment that is among the highlights for every sailor.
At the canal entrance, we reach our destination, the Balboa Yacht Club. The club is picturesquely situated near the famous Panama Canal and is the ideal place to end our sailing trip in a relaxed atmosphere. Here we can anchor and moor to a buoy, with views of the bustling city skyline and the surrounding mountains.
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