Bocas del Toro Helicopter Tours: Top 5 Reviews & Insights
Thinking of seeing Bocas del Toro from a totally different angle? Well, you might just want to ditch the boat for a bit and take to the skies. A helicopter tour over this collection of Panamanian islands might just be one experience that gives you some amazing, unforgettable perspectives, and the photos? They’ll be Instagram gold, honestly. Here, we’re checking out five of what could be considered the top helicopter tour choices that could just make your trip extra awesome. Prepare for some insane views, and get ready to make some vacation memories with these birds-eye views!
Why a Helicopter Tour in Bocas del Toro?
Why exactly should you go with a helicopter? I mean, Bocas del Toro has its own vibe. You’ve got these vibrant islands, thick jungles that look super green, and those sparkling turquoise waters. It’s very pretty seen from land or sea. Now, seeing all of that from the air? That just hits different, you know? That is that helicopter tours basically let you take in more than you could probably do by sticking to the ground. You get a grand sweep of the whole area, showing all the secluded beaches, hidden surf spots, and cool wildlife areas all in just one flight. The light? Oh, it is almost too beautiful at sunrise or sunset and adds that touch of magic. Seriously, trust us on this one!
It is safe to say that beyond just the sightseeing, there is something pretty special about the ride itself. Experiencing that feeling when you lift off the ground, and you soar over these crazy landscapes? It could just give you the type of rush that’ll stick with you way after you’ve touched back down. So, if you are down for adventure and checking out incredible spots, hopping into a helicopter really does give you that thing you may not have known you needed, but you needed it.
1. Bocas del Toro Ultimate Island Hopper Tour
Alright, so first off, there is what a lot of people call the “Ultimate Island Hopper Tour”. And as the name suggests, get ready to check out quite a few islands. We are talking about Zapatilla, Bastimentos, and Isla Colon – pretty much the hot spots. Typically, this tour lasts around 60 minutes, yet it is long enough to snag great pictures and soak in the unreal scenery. Plus, a lot of these tour operators are more than happy to create a custom route. Feel like flying over a particular beach because you heard it’s off the charts? Often, they’re like, “Sure, let’s go!”.
It’s almost definitely worth pointing out the smooth ride you get, too. Flying in one of these choppers isn’t exactly like riding a bumpy bus – unless that’s your thing. That is that these helicopters tend to be maintained and super comfortable, giving you panoramic views without hardly any annoying noise or major shaking. Just be sure to book ahead, these longer and more customizable trips have been known to be snatched up quickly!
2. Starfish Beach & Dolphin Bay Explorer
So, if you’re very interested in those cute sea creatures, you might just love the Starfish Beach & Dolphin Bay option. The great thing about this trip is that, obviously, you could be seeing some dolphins playing around in their own natural hangout spot! Then there’s Starfish Beach. It is famous because you could be looking down at super clear waters filled with tons of starfish, so it can be a sweet sight, really. You want to catch the prime dolphin viewing times? Tours running in the early morning or late afternoon might just be the ones you want.
Again, remember to ask questions. See, lots of folks running these trips live locally, and they’re totally loaded with info. So, whether you’re really curious about what efforts people might be doing to keep our oceans clean, or where you can grab the freshest seafood later, don’t hold back. Local insight only could add a lot of flavor to the entire experience, very!
3. The Zapatilla Islands Escape
Dreaming of untouched beaches? The Zapatilla Islands Escape could just be right up your alley. Now, the Zapatilla islands themselves are part of a protected marine park, which equals beaches and waters that are very clean, and just almost untouched natural environments. So that means there’s really only a limited amount of people allowed there on any given day.
It is probably a good idea to know the rules before you fly. See, a few operators work in coordination with park officials to respect environmental policies. They often brief you on any do’s and don’ts ahead of time. Now, how to best enjoy those pristine views? Consider tours that focus mainly on eco-friendly practices. After all, helping to protect such special spots can often only help make every visit more worth it. That’s Zapatillas!
4. Private Bocas del Toro Aerial Photography Tour
If you are a photography nut, the private aerial photography tours could be a match made in heaven for you. You will have the whole helicopter, that is that you will get the whole thing, to yourself. So you and the pilot could work out where to fly to get some sweet snaps. Schedule the thing during “golden hour”—right after sunrise or just before sunset—for that absolutely perfect lighting which a lot of photographers are completely crazy about. I mean, if the skies are cooperating? Forget about it, honestly. Photos that other folks won’t have.
Basically, the pilot is going to know which directions to fly and where the most interesting viewpoints typically could be. Now, that is a photography tip right there. Just make sure that your camera gear is safe. That is to say make sure to strap everything up, and it is a good idea to have easy access to all your lenses and spare batteries. Also? Wearing darker clothes helps to cut down on any weird reflections on the chopper windows which happens a lot, that.
5. Bocas Town & Surrounds Budget Tour
If you are very keen on scoring that helicopter buzz, but want to make sure your bank account doesn’t get sad, consider one of these shorter “Bocas Town & Surrounds” trips. Very likely, these tours take about 20-30 minutes and stick very close to the main town of Bocas. Even if the time is short, that doesn’t mean less views. They’re typically priced to get that affordable option which makes them super ideal for budget travelers, too.
You may even discover really fun facts about Bocas Town by booking something like this, it might just turn out well. That is that most of these shorter tours provide the same amount of facts about history and culture while you buzz overhead as the super fancy tours do, too it’s almost like free intel, okay? Check for those happy-hour deals. Some companies even knock off a few bucks during what would typically be off-peak times for tourist things!