Caño Island snorkeling tour: Manta rays, reef sharks, dolphins
Two snorkel sessions at a working marine reserve, not a resort pool.
Caño Island snorkeling tour from Marino Bahia Ballena National Park combines two 30-40 minute underwater sessions at a Marine Biological Reserve with a 1.5-hour boat journey across Bahia Ballena and Bahia Uvita. The boat passes Punta Uvita (Whale's Tail) and Costa Ballena on the way out and back, with a chance to spot dolphins, whales, manta rays, turtles, reef sharks and moray eels depending on the season. Lunch—typically chicken, rice and fresh fruit—happens at San Josecito Beach before the return to the park. The full day runs 8 hours from check-in at the property to departure.
8h
Step-by-step itinerary
Cano Island snorkeling and beach visit
- Check in and walk to park entrance
- Hike 15 minutes to beach
- Board tour boat at beach
- Boat trip passing Whale's Tail and Bahia Ballena
- Snorkel two sessions around Cano Island
- Return to mainland for lunch at local beach
- Relax on the beach after lunch
- Cruise across Bahia Drake and Costa Ballena
- Cruise back passing Playa Ventana and landmarks
- Disembark at Marino Bahia Ballena National Park
The Experience
The tour starts at the property near Marino Bahia Ballena National Park with a short 15-minute walk to the beach, where you board the boat. The crossing to Caño Island takes about 1.5 hours and passes through Bahia Ballena and Bahia Uvita; depending on the season, you may spot dolphins or whales during this stretch. The boat passes the landmark rock formation Punta Uvita—known as Whale's Tail—on the way out.
At Caño Island, you get two snorkel sessions of 30-40 minutes each in the Marine Biological Reserve. The water holds turtles, manta rays, stingrays, barracudas, bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, white-tip reef sharks, and moray eels, along with multicolored fish around the coral beds and rock formations. Snorkeling equipment and safety gear are provided; a licensed or certified guide leads the sessions in English or Spanish.
After the second snorkel, the boat returns to the mainland and stops at San Josecito Beach or a local beach for lunch—a typical Costa Rican meal of chicken, rice and fresh fruit—plus time to rest on the sand. On the return journey, you cruise past Costa Ballena and may pass landmarks like Playa Ventana depending on conditions and timing before heading back to Marino Bahia Ballena National Park and the property.
What’s included
- Two 30-40 minute snorkel sessions at the Marine Biological Reserve.
- snorkeling equipment and safety gear.
- lunch (typically chicken, rice and fresh fruit) at San Josecito Beach.
- bottled water.
- licensed or certified guide in English or Spanish.
- free on-site parking at the property.
Operated by Martin Adventours
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to snorkel a working marine reserve with a guide rather than a guided beach entry—the boat ride, the two timed sessions, and the wildlife spotting en route are what fill an 8-hour day and keep the focus on the underwater ecosystem instead of the shore.
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Top questions
What marine animals might I see while snorkeling at Caño Island?
Caño Island hosts turtles, manta rays, stingrays, barracudas, bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, white-tip reef sharks, and moray eels, along with multicolored fish around the coral beds and rock formations. Dolphins and whales may also appear during the boat crossing depending on the season.
How long do I spend in the water snorkeling?
You get two snorkel sessions of 30-40 minutes each at Caño Island, with the guide leading both in English or Spanish.
What happens during the boat ride to Caño Island?
The crossing takes approximately 1.5 hours and passes through Bahia Ballena and Bahia Uvita, passing the landmark Punta Uvita (Whale's Tail). Depending on the season, you may spot dolphins or whales during this stretch.
Is lunch included, and what is it?
Lunch is included and typically consists of chicken, rice and fresh fruit, served at San Josecito Beach or a local beach depending on time and conditions. Guests with special dietary needs should contact the office 48 hours prior; additional fees may apply for specialty meals.
What is the total time commitment for this tour?
The full day is 8 hours from check-in at the property to departure, including the 15-minute walk to the beach, the 1.5-hour boat crossing, two snorkel sessions, lunch and the return journey.
Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?
Snorkeling equipment and safety gear are provided as part of the tour; you do not need to bring your own.
Caño Island snorkeling tour: Manta rays, reef sharks, dolphins
8h · EN · ES
from US$ 150 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.8892 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
