Where is Bocas del Toro?
Located on the Caribbean coast of Panama, the Bocas del Toro archipelago is composed of nine large islands and hundreds of small, mangrove islas. The outer islands are configured so that they create an inland sea and the three main anchorages are never so full that finding a spot is difficult. The archipelago is about about 20nm from the border with Costa Rica, outside the hurricane zone.
Entrance Notes and Cautions for Bocas del Toro:
The old commercial channel is located between Isla Bastimentos and Isla Carenero. Charts show buoys marking this channel. However, this channel is no longer used by commercial traffic and there are NO BUOYS marking this channel now. It remains navigable and is still the primary channel used by non-commercial traffic.
The new commercial channel is now located northwest of the above channel, between the mainland and Bocas del Drago. It is well marked and well lit.
Isla Veraguas (near Bocas Del Toro, Caribbean Panama) is now closed. See Panama Restrictions for more details.
Security
Following a period of unrest in the region in June 2025 when local banana plantation workers joined
a nationwide protest and set up road blocks, the situation has improved according to information received from Panama shipping agents. However, cruisers should still be extra vigilant and ensure everything is securely locked at all times, especially if leaving their vessel overnight or for any length of time. If going ashore, be cautious and maintain a high level of personal awareness about your surroundings.
Cruiser Highlights for Bocas del Toro:
A beautiful, uncrowded cruising ground, with many unspoilt anchorages and three good marinas to choose from. The nature, lively cruiser community and friendly people attribute greatly to Bocas del Toro being a great place to visit.
See this
Noonsite report for updates from Cruisers for Bocas del Toro.
Read this article from Caribbean Compass magazine - September 2024:
Position - off the town:
09°20.22'N, 82°14.36'W
Last updated: July 2025
