Discover the Panama Canal, one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels. We cruise from the Pacific through the mighty Miraflores Locks across Gatún Lake and exit the Gatún Locks on the Atlantic.
Our comprehensive guide has all the details to help you make the most of this bucket-list journey.
Table of Contents
A Panama Canal Journey: From Pacific to Atlantic
On our transit of the Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, we cruised through these locations:
- Pacific Entrance – Where the canal adventure begins
- Miraflores Locks – The first lock experience (2 chambers)
- Pedro Miguel Locks – Single lock raising ships higher
- Culebra Cut (Gaillard Cut) – The narrow mountain passage
- Gatún Lake – The dammed lake at the canal’s summit
- Gatún Locks – Three chambers lower ships to sea level
- Atlantic Entrance – Final passage to the Caribbean Sea
Panama Canal – Transit Route Map
The starred locations on the map below are the major parts of the Panama Canal. The red line is the 82-kilometer route through the canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We transited from south (Pacific) to north (Atlantic).
Pacific Entrance
The Pacific entrance, in the Gulf of Panama, marks the beginning of our 82-kilometer journey through the Panama Canal, one of the world’s greatest engineering feats. The canal saves ships thousands of kilometers compared to the alternative route around South America and is managed by the Panama Canal Authority, an agency of the Panamanian government.
We were up at 6:00 am, eager to get a good viewing spot as our ship entered the canal from the Pacific side. The stunning skyline of Panama’s capital, Panama City, came into view in the distance.
The striking structure of the Frank-Gehry-designed BioMuseum is on the nearby causeway. Opened 2014, it was the world’s first museum dedicated to understanding biodiversity and its importance. The museum’s bright red, green, blue, and yellow roof covers a 4,000-square-meter building. Eight galleries feature exhibits on Panama’s biodiversity and highlight Panama’s role in global biodiversity. A 2.4-hectare botanical park surrounds the building.
Soon we sailed under the Bridge of the Americas which stretches 1.6 kilometers across the canal. Its distinctive tied-arch design has a clearance of 61 meters at high tide, easily allowing massive ships to pass underneath. Completed in 1962, it was a key part of the Pan-American Highway, a vital transportation link between North and South America. The parallel Centennial Bridge, further down the canal, eventually became the carrier of the Pan-American Highway.
In a couple of kilometers, the channel splits into two routes which pass through different locks. A number of cargo ships proceed through the newer Cocolí Locks, which opened in 2016 as part of the Panama Canal’s ambitious expansion project. These locks, with a width of 54.9 meters, are designed to accommodate the larger Neopanamax-sized vessels.
Our cruise ship, small in comparison, continued toward the Miraflores Locks, part of the century-old canal. We were met by several tugboats as we neared the locks (and at each flight of locks in the canal). The tugboats assist by providing additional propulsion, steering, and braking power to vessels through each lock. This is particularly important for the huge Neopanamax ships. Tugboats also safeguard both ships and the canal in case of power or steering loss by ships navigating the locks.
Miraflores Locks
These were the first flight of locks on our journey through the Panama Canal. The Miraflores Locks raise ships an impressive 16.5 meters. The gates of the lowest chamber of this flight are noteworthy, as the canal’s tallest gates to handle the dramatic tidal fluctuations in the Gulf of Panama. High tide is amplified due to the shape of the gulf so that the lock’s total lift varies between 13 and 20 meters.
If you are staying in Panama, the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center provides an excellent vantage point to observe this engineering feat, in operation since 1913. We saw many people looking on. The center has an IMAX theater and four exhibit halls with information about the canal’s history and operational mechanics.
After exiting the Miraflores Locks, we continued for 1.6 kilometers through small Miraflores Lake to the next lock.
Miraflores Lake sits between the Miraflores Locks and the Pedro Miguel Locks. This unique configuration was a necessary modification of the original 3-lock flight. Engineers discovered a tectonic fault in the bedrock where the third lock chamber would have been located. They were forced to adjust their designs to account for this natural geologic feature.
Pedro Miguel Locks
Our cruise ship entered the single-chambered Pedro Miguel Locks. This lock lifted us 9.3 meters, to the same elevation as Gatún Lake.
Upon exiting the Pedro Miguel Locks, the grand, two-towered Centennial Bridge came into view. This cable-stayed bridge, with a total length of 1.05 kilometers, carries six lanes of traffic over the Panama Canal.
Opened in 2004 to relieve traffic congestion on the Bridge of the Americas, it eventually replaced it as the carrier of the Pan-American Highway. Centennial Bridge played a large role in improving transportation efficiency in the region. It commemorates the centennial of Panama’s independence in 2003.
With an 80-meter clearance under the bridge, our ship sailed smoothly beneath as we entered one of the canal’s most dramatic sections, the Culebra Cut.
Culebra Cut (Gaillard Cut)
The Culebra Cut, also known as the Gaillard Cut, is an essential section of the Panama Canal. Carved through Culebra Ridge, Panama’s continental divide, this 13.7-kilometer man-made gorge represents an extraordinary achievement in canal construction. Traveling through the narrow channel, we were surrounded by excavated rock walls.
The excavation of the cut was the Panama Canal’s biggest construction challenge. Unstable soil conditions combined with intense tropical heat created huge problems. French engineers began digging in 1881 but abandoned the project in 1889.
American teams, led by engineer David du Bose Gaillard, took over in 1904 and completed the massive excavation project in 1913. The channel, averaging around 43 meters deep, was widened in the 1990s to accommodate larger vessels. It is named for both the ridge and the engineer who conquered it.
Leaving the Cut, our ship sailed past the small town of Gamboa, founded in 1911 for canal construction workers. Gamboa evolved into a significant dredging division hub by 1936, once housing over 3,800 residents. Today Gamboa has a quiet, somewhat abandoned feel. Tourists visit to explore the surrounding lush rainforest of Soberanía National Park. The park provides a haven for diverse wildlife, including native birds and sloths.
Gatún Lake
This freshwater lake formed in 1913 as a result of the construction of the Gatún Dam on the Chagres River. The lake covers 164 square kilometers and is 26 meters above sea level.
Gatún Lake holds the vast quantities of water needed for the operation of the lock system. Each time a ship passes through the locks, millions of gallons of water are released into the ocean. The Gatún Dam helps maintain the water level in the lake, ensuring a continuous and reliable water supply for the canal’s operation.
As our ship sailed across the calm waters of Gatún Lake, we were surrounded by lush green landscapes and rainforest, an interesting contrast to the industrial activity of the canal.
We cruised past several islands, including Barro Colorado Island. This island was protected as a nature reserve in 1923 and boasts 400 bird species and 500 butterfly species. Managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the nature reserve is a research center for tropical forest studies. It is interesting that what we see as islands were hilltops when the valley was flooded by the building of the dam. It is a unique ecosystem.
At the east end of Gatún Lake, the channel splits into two routes through different lock flights.
Similar to the Pacific side, the larger cargo ships travel through the Agua Clara Locks, a 3-chambered lock flight, built to accommodate Neopanamax vessels. The visitor center at Aqua Clara has an observation deck where spectators can watch these massive vessels navigate the locks. Inside there are exhibits and videos of the canal’s history.
Our cruise ship continued toward the Gatún Locks.
Gatún Locks
These are the largest of the original locks in the canal. In total, the Gatún Locks have six double-lock chambers, each chamber measuring 305 meters long and 34 meters wide. Their size is impressive considering they were constructed between 1909 and 1913.
The 6 chambers are paired so that 3 chambers lift the ships in one direction, allowing travel through the locks in both directions at the same time. The locks lower (or raise) ships 26 meters between Gatún Lake and Limon Bay on the Caribbean Sea of the Atlantic Ocean. There is another observation deck so that people from excursions are able to see the lock operations.
At this lock, we got an up-close look at the electric locomotives known as “mules“. These powerful units don’t actually pull ships through the locks though it may appear that way. Their purpose is to keep the ships centered in the locks. Working in pairs, with one on each side of the ship and using strong steel cables, the mules prevent ships from colliding with the lock walls during transit. This is a crucial safety measure given the tight clearances of just inches on either side of large vessels.
Atlantic Entrance
Exiting the Gatún Locks, the Atlantic Bridge stood ahead of us. This majestic, cable-stayed structure stretches 4.6 kilometers across the waterway. It features two towering concrete pylons that soar 210 meters into the sky. The bridge deck is 75 meters above the water.
The bridge was completed in 2019 providing an important link between the bustling city of Colón and the communities and operations on the western side of the canal.
Our cruise ship passed beneath the bridge and entered Limon Bay. We saw at least a dozen massive cargo ships and cruise vessels queuing in the bay, patiently waiting their turn to enter the Gatún Locks.
After a transit of about 10 hours, we sailed into the Caribbean Sea. Our Panama Canal journey was over and we were thankful to have had the opportunity to experience this incredible feat of engineering.
Tips for Cruise Passengers
To ensure you have an unforgettable Panama Canal transit experience, here are some insider tips.
Attend onboard talks and presentations: Cruise ships often bring experts onboard to give presentations about the canal’s history, engineering, and ecology.
Wake up early to experience key moments: The transit takes a full day and some of the most interesting parts happen early in the morning. On our cruise, we were up early enough to see the colorful BioMuseum as the sun was rising (about 6:40 am).
Find a good viewing spot: Prime viewing locations get crowded. If you have a favorite location, stake out your spot early. Cruise ships often open the bow area, which provides a great viewing area. We alternated between different decks: the bow, the promenade deck and the crows nest. Consider both sun and shade!
Apply sunscreen and stay hydrated: The sun can be very intense so don’t forget to apply sunscreen. We alternated between sunny and shady areas while we viewed the lock operations. Staying hydrated is crucial in the tropical climate.
Adjust your meal times: Time your breakfast and lunch so you don’t miss key moments.
Check out the website Just Is A Four Letter Word for even more cruise tips.
Full Transit versus Partial Transit
Panama Canal cruises offer two different options: a full transit or a partial transit of the canal. We summarize their differences and pros and cons below.
Full Transit
A full transit is navigating the entire Panama Canal, traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (or vice versa). It usually takes 8 to 12 hours to complete the entire journey.
Pros:
A Complete Experience: You experience the entire canal system, including all locks, the Gatún Lake, and the Culebra Cut.
Cons:
Longer Time Commitment: Full transits often require longer cruise itineraries (often repositioning cruises).
Partial Transit
A typical partial transit involves entering the canal from the Caribbean/Atlantic side, passing through the Gatún Locks, cruising on Gatún Lake, and then returning to the Caribbean Sea through the same locks.
Pros:
Shorter Time Commitment: Partial transits take less time than full transits, allowing more time at other ports of call.
See the Locks: You still get to experience the impressive Gatún Locks in operation.
Excursions: Partial transits often include optional shore excursions to view other parts of the canal.
Cons:
Incomplete Experience: You miss seeing the Pacific side’s Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, and the impressive Culebra Cut.
Which is Right for You?
If you have the time and want the full Panama Canal experience, a full transit is the way to go. This is what we did! If you’re short on time, a partial transit still offers a fascinating glimpse into this engineering marvel.
A Brief History of the Panama Canal
This is a brief timeline of the Panama Canal’s remarkable history, from its challenging beginnings to today as one of the world’s most crucial maritime passages.
1881: French efforts to build a canal began under Ferdinand de Lesseps who was fresh from his success building the Suez Canal. The project was plagued by engineering challenges, as well as deadly outbreaks of malaria and yellow fever, which claimed over 20,000 lives. This resulted in significant setbacks and delays.
1889: The French abandoned the project.
1904: The United States acquired the project. They restarted construction, implementing improved engineering and sanitation practices to combat disease.
1914: The Panama Canal was completed. The first official transit occurred on August 15, 1914. The canal opening marked a new era in maritime transportation and a major engineering achievement. The United States controlled the complete operation of the canal.
1999: The Panama Canal was fully transferred to Panamanian control on December 31st, marking a significant milestone in Panama’s history and its new role in global commerce.
2016: The ambitious Panama Canal Expansion Project, adding a third set of locks, was completed, which allowed the larger Neopanamax vessels to transit the canal. It effectively doubled the canal’s capacity, modernizing the century-old waterway for 21st-century shipping.
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