Vista Mar, Panama: the marina, the community and what to do nearby

What Vista Mar is

Vista Mar combines homes and apartments with an 18-hole golf course designed by J. Michael Poellot and a large marina on the Pacific. According to the marina, it has 206 berths, a helipad and a boatyard for maintenance and repairs, and sits about 42 nautical miles southwest of the Panama Canal. For boaters, that makes it a well-placed base for the islands of the Gulf of Panama.

Vista Mar's golf course, beach club, pool and residential areas are run by the community and its operators under their own rules. A charter with Strong Tower Adventures doesn't include access to them; if you're staying at Vista Mar, ask your host or the community about what's open to you.

Getting to Vista Mar Marina

• By car: drive west from Panama City on the Pan-American Highway, past Chame and Coronado, to San Carlos. Allow about 1.5 hours or more, depending on traffic leaving the city, and more at the end of long weekends.
• By bus: buses for the Pacific beaches leave from the Albrook terminal and stop on the highway; you would then need a taxi to the marina.
• By air: Scarlett Martínez International Airport in Río Hato is about 27 km from the marina; check current flights before relying on it.
• 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.

On the water from Vista Mar

Every trip below leaves from Vista Mar Marina and is private: the boat, the Captain and the route are only for your group. Oasis carries up to 10 guests and Iron Covenant up to 6 adults (8 with children); both boats can run together for up to 18 guests.

1. Stay close: tubing near the marina

   Vista Mar Tubing stays close to the marina: $195/hour with one two-person tube or $225/hour with two tubes, with a 2-hour minimum. On island days, an hour of towed tubing can be added ($175 with one tube) when conditions allow.

   Best fitVista Mar Tubing AdventureFrom $195/hour

2. Three hours at sunset

   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

3. Half a day: Farallón

   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

4. A full day: Otoque

   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

5. A beach day: Taborcillo

   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

6. Several days: the Pearl Islands

   The Pearl Islands Expedition makes the boat the whole trip: 3 days and 2 nights aboard Oasis, staying at Hacienda del Mar on Isla San José, from $3,750 for a couple.

   Best fitPearl Islands ExpeditionFrom $3,750

Divers can also ask about private diving to Iguana Island or the Pearl Islands from Vista Mar Marina; pricing is on request. Not sure which island suits you? Compare them in our islands guide.

Eating around a charter

The marina has restaurants of its own, and the town of San Carlos is close by. On the boat, you can add the Strong Tower BBQ / picnic ($25 per person) on island days, or charcuterie ($40) and pizza from Benovolentieri at the marina ($30 each) on the Sunset Cruise. Light snacks and water are included on island trips, and you're welcome to bring your own.

What to do near Vista Mar

• Beaches and surf in San Carlos: beginner waves at El Palmar and a calmer sea at La Ensenada.
• The busy beach town of Coronado, a short drive east, with water sports, golf and restaurants.
• Kitesurfing in Punta Chame from about January to May.
• The mountain town of El Valle de Antón, about 45 minutes up from the highway at Las Uvas, with its Sunday craft market and crater trails.

Before you go

1. Pick the trip

   Decide how long you want on the water, from a 2-hour tubing session to a full island day.

2. Pack

   Use our what-to-bring checklist: sun protection, towels and a dry bag are on you.

3. Send the request

   Request a date online or message Sam on WhatsApp. Every charter is confirmed personally by the team, and departure details come with your confirmation.