Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay, Tamarindo

5.0 (1 review)

Kayak the pristine Playa Tamarindo shorelines to Capitán Island, where you can snorkel a spectacular coral reef

Show all photos

Mark P.

Apr 09, 2023
This was a pretty standard tour – a 20-minute canoe ride from a beachside resort to small island and then snorkeling around it – but it... Read more

See review

Overview

You will paddle out over the azure waters of Playa Tamarindo and eventually reach Capitán Island, located about a 20-minute paddle offshore. There, you'll have the opportunity to do some snorkeling and observe the underwater coral reef, which is home to exotic fish. After snorkeling, you'll return by kayak to the mainland. With short paddling distances involved, this trip is perfect for the entire family, or for introducing your children to kayaking.

Highlights

Paddle across the azure waters of Playa Tamarindo
Observe the colorful coral reef and exotic fish while snorkeling
Enjoy a family-friendly kayaking trip suitable for all ages

Know before you go

Duration
3 hours

Recommended for
5 years old & up

Group
Small group

What you'll do

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable kayaking adventure on the stunning coast of Tamarindo! Meet your expert guide and group at the designated spot and get equipped with your kayak and safety gear. Your guide will provide you with a safety briefing and paddle instructions before you set out on your journey.

Paddle out over the shimmering waters of Playa Tamarindo and marvel at the stunning coastline from a unique perspective. As you paddle towards Capitán Island, take in the gorgeous scenery of white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and the lush, unspoiled nature of the area.

Once you reach Capitán Island, grab your snorkeling gear and immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters. Admire the vibrant colors of the coral reef and the diverse marine life that surrounds it. Keep an eye out for exotic fish that are unique to this part of the world.

After an unforgettable snorkeling experience, paddle back to the mainland, taking in the beauty of the Tamarindo coastline one last time. With its relatively short paddling distances, this tour is perfect for families and anyone looking to try kayaking for the first time.

Please note that departure times vary based on the tides.

Discover more experiences in Tamarindo.

What's included

Bottled water
Naturalist bilingual guide
Transportation
Single or double kayaks and all necessary kayaking equipment
Snorkeling equipment

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

See alternatives

Snorkeling at the Catalina Islands

(12)

Small group · 5 hours

Discover an underwater world on this half-day snorkeling tour off the Catalina Islands! From a local dive shop in Playa Flamingo, you'll take off on a diving boat for a 40-minute ride to a group of volcanic islands and rock formations that rise above the ocean's surface in front of Flamingo Bay. Plunge below the surface of the indigo waters to find an undersea menagerie of exotic wildlife congregating around colorful coral reefs. You'll see quickly why this is a world-famous diving location! You might spot giant manta and devil rays, sea turtles, parrotfish, moray eels, and much more. In the right season, you can even sometimes hear humpback whales singing.

Safari Float Tour on Corobicí River

Small group · 6 hours

Embark on a Safari-style tour of the Corobicí River with a naturalist guide. Spend approximately 2 hours floating down the river on a raft boat, admiring the diverse ecosystem and spotting a wide variety of animals and plants. Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, the tour's main highlight.

Scuba Diving at the Catalina Islands

Small group · 5 hours

Explore an underwater world on this diving tour off the Catalina Islands! From a local dive shop in Playa Flamingo, you'll embark on a 40-minute ride to a group of volcanic islands and rock formations that rise above the ocean's surface in front of Flamingo Bay. If you're a beginner, your lesson begins now—find out how to breathe underwater, make communication signals, and more—before attempting two open-water dives. Certified divers can jump right in! Dive below the surface of the indigo waters (to a maximum depth of about 60 feet or 18 meters) to discover a menagerie of exotic wildlife congregating around colorful coral reefs. You'll see quickly why this is a world-famous diving location! You might spot white tip reef sharks, giant manta rays, stingrays, eagle rays, jewel and green morays, butterfly fish, and schools of damsels, jacks, and grunts. In the right season, you can even sometimes hear humpback whales singing.

Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience (Seasonal)

(5)

Small group · 4 hours

Witness hundreds of green sea turtles coming onshore to lay their eggs. First, you'll register at the ranger station before waiting for the turtles to come onshore. Once they do, you'll observe as they dig a hole in the sand and lay between 65 to 90 eggs before covering the nest with sand to protect their offspring.

Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo

(2)

Small group · 4 hours

Adventure at a family-owned "hacienda" or ranch where you will enjoy a spread of tropical fruits and fresh coffee or tea. From there, you will embark on a private boat safari of the wetlands, where you'll encounter an abundance of tropical birds, reptiles, and monkeys. You'll then return to land for a rum tour and tasting, where you'll learn about the process of creating high-quality rum from pure sugar cane and end with a delicious cocktail and stunning views of exotic birds along the banks of the lagoon.

Please note that transportation is not included, but can be added for an additional cost.

Catamaran Sailing Adventure

(5)

Group tour · 4 hours

Soak up the sun and enjoy a sailing adventure on the Pacific Ocean! On this excursion, you'll depart from a landing dock in one of three locations: Playa Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, or Playas del Coco. Board a catamaran and begin silently gliding along the Gold Coast past pristine bays, white sand beaches, and tropical jungles. You may spot dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and breaching whales. The crew will serve delicious tropical drinks as you make your way to a tranquil bay where you can swim or snorkel. A barbecue lunch with Costa Rican dishes will be served onboard before you head back to the starting point.

Self-Guided visit to Playa Conchal - The White Shell Beach

(1)

Self guided · 4 hours

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Playa Conchal, renowned for its unique seashell beach and turquoise waters. This beach, which is made up of crushed shells instead of sand, is consistently voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica! Start your day early or visit during the shoulder season for a crowd-free experience.

Traveler photos

See all photos

Traveler reviews

Mark P.

Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2023

This was a pretty standard tour – a 20-minute canoe ride from a beachside resort to small island and then snorkeling around it – but it was perfect for a 5- and 7-year-olds first snorkeling experience. And great guides. Read more

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

Itineraries with Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay

Classic Costa Rica: 7-Day Self-Drive Tour

Taking a road trip through Costa Rica gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore where you want. You'll pass through stunning natural scenery — from lush cloud forests to...

Costa Rica Family Vacation: Volcanoes, Jungles, Beaches and Wildlife - 14 Days

This extensive itinerary will introduce you to all of Costa Rica's iconic experiences. Activities range from thrilling jungle adventures to relaxing trips to the beach, making...

Discover Costa Rica's Nature and Beaches - 9 Days

Some 25% of the total area of Costa Rica is protected. You'll see evidence of this in the country's many national parks and reserves—the goal being to ensure that Costa Rica's...

Self-Drive Luxury Beach and Volcano Adventure - 11 days

Time to hit the open road and enjoy the wonders of Costa Rica on this 11-day self-drive tour. Your adventure begins on the Pacific beaches of Tamarindo and Nosara, both gems of...

Relaxing Nicoya Peninsula Road Trip - 13 Days

Get ready for a laid-back beach vacation to the stunning beaches of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Península. This slow-paced trip allows you to slow down and adjust to the Costa...

Costa Rica Volcanoes & Pacific Coast Adventure - 12 Days

Combine a beach holiday and jungle adventure in one self-drive vacation. Arrive in Liberia and head to Tenorio National Park, where you'll hike along the electric blue waters of...

Costa Rica Road Trip: Arenal & the Nicoya Peninsula - 8 Days

Experience a perfect blend of cloud forests and tropical beaches on this eight-day Costa Rican road trip. Start your adventure in Arenal, where you'll explore the rainforest via...

Discover Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio, Monteverde & Tamarindo - 12 Days

Costa Rica prioritizes the protection of its abundant (and delicate) biodiversity, and national parks and reserves make up nearly a quarter of the country's land. This makes it...

Tamarindo Experiences

Show more Tamarindo experiences

Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo

4.0

(2)

Adventure at a family-owned "hacienda" or ranch where you will enjoy a spread of tropical fruits and fresh coffee or tea. From there, you will embark on a private boat safari of...

Tamarindo Mangrove & Estuary Kayak Tour

Embark on a kayaking adventure through the Tamarindo estuary, where the Tamarindo River meets the Pacific Ocean, creating a diverse ecosystem teeming with wildlife. Paddle...

Leatherback Turtle Nesting Experience

Witness the awe-inspiring arrival of endangered leatherback turtles at Playa Grande, where they have returned to lay their eggs for thousands of years. With an expert guide,...

Tamarindo Mangrove & Estuary Boat Tour

4.3

(3)

Embark on a fascinating journey through the Tamarindo Estuary, one of the largest estuaries in Guanacaste Coast and part of Las Baulas National Park. Glide along the river in a...

Surf Lessons at Tamarindo Beach

5.0

(9)

Learn to catch a wave in Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica's prime surfing spots. Enjoy a private two-hour surf lesson at Playa Tamarindo and learn the basics of surfing outside of a...

Show more Tamarindo experiences

Costa Rica Experiences

Show more Costa Rica experiences

Tabacon Hot Springs with Lunch or Dinner

3.0

(2)

Spend several hours at Tabacon Hot Springs, Costa Rica's most extensive network of naturally flowing thermal mineral springs, on this half-day excursion. Located inside a...

Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike

4.9

(7)

Venture into Tenorio Volcano National Park for a refreshing hike along the Río Celeste, one of the most stunning natural attractions in Costa Rica. As the legend goes, after God...

Turtle Nesting & Hatching in Tortuguero National Park

Unlike many national parks in Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park is unique in that it almost exclusively revolves around the water. The best way to explore this 120-mile (312...

TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure

4.8

(24)

Venture into the cloud forest for a thrilling day exploring the treetops at Treetopia Park Monteverde. You'll start by boarding the park's open-air cableway to ride up to the...

Sky Adventures Tram & The Hand of Arenal

4.0

(1)

Ride high up into the mountains on this short excursion to the Hand of Arenal. Board the Sky Tram gondola with a guide for a 15-minute transfer to the monument and lookout...

Show more Costa Rica experiences

Best of Tamarindo

Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo

Costa Rica is blessed with countless beautiful beaches, but two destinations that consistently top the list are Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo. Both offer stunning coastlines,...

The Best Turtle Nesting & Hatching Experiences in Costa Rica

One of the most popular experiences in Costa Rica is observing the mighty sea turtles. For thousands of years, several turtle species have used Costa Rican beaches to safely lay...

Best Places to Eat in Tamarindo

Despite being a small surf town, Tamarindo is officially on the radar of intrepid travelers seeking a slice of tropical paradise. Restaurants continue to pop up to meet the...

Top Cultural Experiences in Costa Rica

From vibrant cities to humble artisanal villages, protected jungles to stretches of farmland, and sweet chocolate to rich rum, Costa Rica is a country full of cultural...

The 5 Best Beach Hotels in Tamarindo

If you're planning to visit Tamarindo, it's probably for its renowned beaches and coastline. To truly experience this region's famous shores, you might want to stay in a...

Best of Tamarindo

Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay, Tamarindo

Kayak the pristine Playa Tamarindo shorelines to Capitán Island, where you can snorkel a spectacular coral reef

Overview

Highlights

Know before you go

What you'll do

What's included

Like what you see?

See alternatives

Snorkeling at the Catalina Islands

Safari Float Tour on Corobicí River

Scuba Diving at the Catalina Islands

Nighttime Pacific Green Turtle Nesting Experience (Seasonal)

Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo

Catamaran Sailing Adventure

Self-Guided visit to Playa Conchal - The White Shell Beach

Traveler photos

Traveler reviews

Like what you see?

Itineraries with Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay

Tamarindo Experiences

Costa Rica Experiences

Best of Tamarindo

Trip Planning Essentials