Things to do in Punta Chame, Panama: kitesurfing, Chame Bay and John Wayne Island

Getting to Punta Chame

Visit Panama puts Punta Chame about one hour (89 km) from Panama City, on a turnoff from the Pan-American Highway before Coronado. Traffic leaving the city decides the real time, so avoid peak hours and the end of long weekends if you can. The rest of the Riviera, including Coronado and San Carlos, is further west along the same highway.

Kitesurfing, windsurfing and foiling

Punta Chame is Panama's capital for kitesurfing, windsurfing and foiling. Steady winds and plenty of room on the beach make it a good place to learn, and instructors offer kite, surf and foil lessons for different levels. The best wind season runs from about January to May; you can visit year-round, but outside those months the wind is less reliable.

Take lessons with a certified instructor, check the forecast, and follow local guidance about where to launch and ride.

More things to do around Chame

• Walk the peninsula: the sea is on both sides, so you can watch the bay and the open Pacific from the same strip of land.
• Whale season: from about July to October, local tours leave Punta Chame for Otoque, with its clear water and beach, and for Estiva and Boná, with cliffs full of seabirds. Panamanian rules limit whale watching to 30 minutes and prohibit swimming or diving near the whales.
• Cerro Chame: a hike of about 7 km up and back, roughly an hour and a half, with views at the summit, sunrise or sunset.
• River time: the Chame River runs through the Cajones de Chame canyons, known for tubing, and the El Manglarito waterfall is in the Sora area of Chame.
• Surf beaches nearby: Gorgona and Malibu, on the way to Coronado, are popular with local surfers.

Taborcillo: the John Wayne island

Taborcillo is a private island near Punta Chame that John Wayne once owned, and it is still known as John Wayne Island. Local accounts describe him returning to Panama for fishing and business, then retreating to the island. After his death it changed hands and later hosted a Western-themed tourism project. That's history, not a promise of facilities today.

Our Taborcillo Island day follows the coastline of Chame Bay at an unhurried pace, about 9 hours dock-to-dock from Vista Mar Marina, from $850. Snorkeling gear is included on Iron Covenant; on Oasis it's a beach day. Shore visits depend on local access restrictions and Captain approval.

When to go

For kitesurfing, come in the dry season, roughly January to May for the best wind. For calmer seas and greener hills, the green season, roughly May to November, is better, and humpback whales visit the area from about July to October, with September often the best month. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Add a day on the water

Strong Tower Adventures's boats leave from Vista Mar Marina in San Carlos, further west; read our Vista Mar guide before you go. Every charter is private.

1. See Chame Bay from the water

   Taborcillo, the private island near Punta Chame once owned by John Wayne, is an unhurried beach day of about 9 hours along Chame Bay, from $850. Shore time depends on local access and Captain approval.

   Best fitTaborcillo IslandFrom $850

2. Otoque, without the crowd

   Otoque Island, about 23 nautical miles from the marina, is a full day of about 8 hours with snorkeling, swimming and a village of colorful houses. From $750; Fun fishing ($100) and a paddleboard ($25) can be added.

   Best fitOtoque IslandFrom $750

3. A sunset after a windy day

   The Sunset Cruise is about three hours aboard Oasis, timed around the seasonal sunset: $400 for up to four guests and $50 per additional guest, subject to capacity and Captain approval. Bring your own drinks, and add charcuterie ($40) or pizza from the marina ($30 each).

   Best fitSunset Cruise$400

4. A shorter island trip

   Farallón Island is our shortest island trip: about 5 hours dock-to-dock for swimming and snorkeling around a natural sea arch, $500 on Iron Covenant or $700 on Oasis. Fishing is not offered on this trip.

   Best fitFarallón IslandFrom $500

Strong Tower Adventures does not provide hotel or airport transfers: you make your own way to Vista Mar Marina, and final departure details are confirmed with your reservation.