A Bocas Mangrove Kayak & Reef Snorkel Eco Tour

The meeting point was only a few minutes walk from my accommodation and easy to find; partly because of the clear instructions. On site Stacey was already ready to leave, her SUP and my kayak were already waiting for us in the water and so it could start straight away. Less than 500m further we went into the water: In addition to the expected corals, sea cucumbers, a barracuda, rays, the reef gave us a variety of different, colorful fish, an octopus, a small group of squid and much more. Afterwards we went into the mangroves and Stacey could tell not only about the underwater world but also about the animals on land and in the air. Of course, the obligatory sloth shouldn’t be missing either and so we watched it for a little while at dinner before we went back during sunset. I liked the fact that it was a personal tour, not a group tour. This gives Stacey the opportunity to adapt to the needs, to take her time individually.

Stacey was such a wonderful guide and so knowledgeable about all things mangrove, reef, birdlife, ecosystems as well as the local indigenous culture. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone and everyone.

We spent an afternoon with Stacey and learned all about the mangroves and surrounding ecosystem. It was amazing to have a real-life biologist not only identify various coral life, birds and plants, but also explain how they function with each other. And best of all, we saw 5 different sloths, including a mama with its baby!

Stacey was a very knowledgeable and passionate guide and shared a wealth of information with us. We kayaked and snorkelled and she took us to secluded areas that we never would have found on our own. She has a true love of nature and it shows!

I’ve participated in ecotourism in several different Latin American countries now, and I keep looking back to Stacey Hollis as the gold standard. She’s always thinking about the big picture, how it’s all fitting together, and sharing that in accessible language, even as she spots and points out details that you’d probably miss. Her intelligence, passion, and commitment to the local Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean population is clear just about from the moment that you meet her. She’s also just fun to spend time with! Bocas is not exactly an ecotourism magnet, but while you are here, don’t miss out—Stacey is a hidden gem.

My sister and I signed up for the Bocas Biodiversity tour with Stacey and it was by far our favourite thing we did during our visit! Stacey is an incredible guide (and wonderful human!) and it was marvellous to find out so much about the local ecosystem from someone who clearly cares so much about protecting it. We kicked off the tour by snorkelling around a mangrove, learning about the native species and how mangroves house baby fish, helping to preserve the fish population in the region. It was incredible to be able to point out an interesting plant or creature and have someone right next to you who could tell you exactly what it was and how it supports the local ecosystem! Then we ventured further afield in the kayaks, observed countless species of bird migrating from North America, and went sloth spotting in the trees that lined the river. We managed to see five sloths in total, which Stacey assured us was not typical but certainly made for a magical time for us! I cannot recommend Stacey or this tour enough, and would sign up again in a heartbeat when next in Bocas Del Toro.

We did a full day with Stacie and it was definitely one of the best days in panama. Stacie was super knowledgeable about the birds and all the ocean critters. She was easy to talk to and taught us a lot about the wildlife and history of the area. It was so much fun kayaking and snorkeling around Isla Colon, like hanging out with a friend for the day!

Stacey is a fantastic and knowledgeable guide! Not only is she an expert on local wildlife and ecosystems but she is passionate about the community and shared information on the history and culture of the area. She was very gracious about accommodating me for some last minute changes as well. Both my friend and I considered her tours the highlight of our time in Panama. Highly recommend!

Stacey was so knowledgeable and we had such a great time! She took us out to this beautiful location, was able to point out many kinds of wildlife. She could answer so many questions about the flora and fauna. We got very lucky and were able to see four sloths, including two that were extremely close. We were able to snorkel in a coral reef which had so many different kinds of starfish, coral, tropical fish, shrimp. The tour was physically active - as you are swimming and kayaking, but the pace was chill, and I never felt rushed. Stacey helped us take some really nice photos, and messaged us beforehand and was able to answer our questions. We feel lucky that our guide was able to share her passion for biodiversity with us.