I will be vacationing on the Pacific side, but could go to the Caribbean for a couple days if there are more tours there

There is great whale watching on the Pacific side of Panama.  The tropical waters are breeding and birthing grounds for endangered humpback whales coming up from the south coast of Chile.  Just 12 miles from the Pacific coast of Panama is the Isla Coiba Marine Park, where researchers believe the majority of humpbacks come to breed when they do so in Panama.  The whale-watching season in Panama generally begins in late June and ends sometime in October.  There are always a couple boats that run out of Panama City, and most do hotel pickups.  Panama Whale Watching is a IPAT-certified excursion that runs two 4-hour whale watching adventures every Wednesday, from 8am-12pm and 1pm to 5pm.  They can be reached at 507.6.680.8894, or 507.6.678.2271, just ask for Mario Wong.