The joy of cruising in a house boat in Bocas Del Toro Panama lies in its almost endless variety of scenic and secluded cruising grounds.  You can take off in nearly any direction and explore a seemingly infinite variety of pleasant coves and beaches.  This itinerary is a roughly counter-clockwise circuit starting from Bocas town and is recommended because it hits many of the highlights of the area, while avoiding long  open-water passages directly to windward.  It can be completed in a leisurely week, but you will see much more if you can take more time. 

If  time permits you will want to enjoy the environs of Bocas town and Carenero (Careening Cay) for a day or two.  There are some excellent restaurants and craft shops on both islands.  Both Isla Colon and Carenero have some lovely beaches.  

From there you can explore the leeward (South) side of  Isla Colon, perhaps going out as far as Punta Caracol – a picturesque over-the-water resort with charming thatch-roof bungalows strung along boardwalk that follows a pristine sand spit.  Here you can enjoy a delightful meal and see fine examples of the beautiful native construction and thatching.  The main pavilion is about 3 stories high and displays some of the finest thatch work in the area. There is excellent snorkeling around Punta Caracol and numerous pleasant anchorages in crystal-clear water. The views across the vast expanse of Almirante Bay to the towering Talamancas and the Great Divide are exquisite – especially at sunset.  You can also proceed west as far as Bocas del Drago, anchoring just inside the protection of the point

  From there you can double back along the South side of Colon before skirting down the western shore of Cristobal to Pastores and Cayo Roldan, where you will find extensive coral patches that offer excellent snorkeling in crystal waters. There are a myriad of tempting anchorages in protected lagoons on the North side and all along the South sides of both these islands. 

From there you can explore fascinating coves on the mainland, before swinging east to Punta de Parga (Snapper Point), Bella Vista, and Laguna de Tierra Oscura (Darkland).  Darkland offers total protection behind a chain of mangrove islands.  You can get right up close to shore and anchor in soft mud close to the coconut palms studded waterfront. 

Heading north from Tierra Oscura you will come into the lovely broad protected bay known locally as Bocatoritos - sometimes also called Laguna Porras and Dolphin Bay. There are a multitude of secluded anchorages on the West side of Cristobal. Don’t miss the little bight called Bellevue where you can stop for a cold drink and snack at the delightful dock and rancho.

Proceed over to Crawl Cay (Cayo Crawl), where the Crawl Cay channel offers an abundance of coral reefs and excellent spots for snorkeling.  There are several tiendas that provide excellent seafood lunches, as well as cold drinks and gas.  Sometimes they have fresh Bocatereno bread (coconut bread) that is excellent.  After a memorable lunch you can either remain there for the evening or proceed on toward Nancy Cay (Solarte) and anchor in any of the hundreds of protected spots near Buttonwood Cay. 

From there proceed through The Gap into Hospital Bight, the long body of water between Bastimentos and Solarte. Anchor in the short cut and plan at least an afternoon picnic – or better yet a whole day - on the spectacular Red Frog Beach which is reached via a scenic path that cuts across the spine of Isla Bastimentos.  Here you will see multitudes of colorful frogs in all hues and patterns, including many that are unique to this area. 

The town of Bastimentos is strung out like a necklace along a picturesque crescent-shaped harbor. You can anchor here protected from the swells while you explore the long quaint town that stretches along the bay and sample the variety of excellent restaurants in town. Bastimentos is a fascinating village with a variety of influences including German, Dutch and Antillean. There are also several paths across the island to the scenic beaches on the windward side. 

From Bastimentos village you are only a few miles from Bocas town, across the Boca del Toro channel which leads directly to the Caribbean Sea.  Don’t miss the excellent snorkeling at scenic Hospital Point before heading back to Bocas.