Curú Wildlife Refuge Bioluminescence Swim Tour

Swim in the sea at night and watch it light up around you

A bioluminescence tour from Curú Wildlife Refuge in Puntarenas takes you by motorboat to Tortuga Islands for sunset, then into the dark water to see dinoflagellates glow as you move through them. The tour includes refuge entry, a 15-minute boat ride each way, snorkel mask, fruit and soft drinks, and runs about two and a half hours, ending around 7:30 p.m. You can watch the phenomenon from the boat or swim into it; life jackets are provided for all ages.

The Experience

The tour starts at 5 p.m. at Curú Beach, where you board a motorboat for a 15-minute run to Tortuga Islands. The refuge entry is included, so you can spend the afternoon before departure walking the trails and watching for monkeys, deer, coatis and iguanas that live there. Once at Tortuga Islands, you stop on the white sand beach to eat fruit and soft drinks while the sun sets over the turquoise water.

When darkness falls, the boat moves to find the best spot for bioluminescence. The guide explains what causes the glow—a reaction in dinoflagellates that light up when disturbed—then you have the choice to stay aboard or slip into the water with a snorkel mask to see it up close. The phenomenon is visible either way, but swimming into it changes what you see; the mask lets you watch the glow spread around your hands and body as you move. Life jackets are available for anyone who wants one.

The boat returns to Curú Beach around 7:30 p.m., where showers, restrooms and parking are waiting. The refuge stay before the tour means you are not rushed—arrive in the afternoon, explore on foot, then transition into the evening activity without the pressure of a tight schedule.

What’s included

• Entry to Curú Wildlife Refuge and use of its trails before the tour.
• round-trip motorboat transfer to Tortuga Islands.
• snorkel mask and life jackets for all ages.
• fruit and soft drinks at Tortuga Islands.
• parking and restroom access at Curú Beach.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Turismo Curú

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a live guide in English or Spanish, so you travel with other visitors and the guide explains the bioluminescence and the refuge ecosystem as you go. Choose it if you want to swim into the glowing water rather than watch from a distance, and if an afternoon at the refuge before the evening activity suits your schedule better than a quick arrival and departure.

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Top questions

What time does the bioluminescence tour leave and when does it end?

The tour departs at 5 p.m. from Curú Beach and returns around 7:30 p.m., so the full outing runs about two and a half hours from start to finish.

Can I swim in the water during the bioluminescence tour, or do I watch from the boat?

You can choose. The guide explains the phenomenon from the boat, but you are also welcome to put on the included snorkel mask and swim into the glowing water to see it up close around your body and hands.

What animals might I see at Curú Wildlife Refuge before the tour starts?

Curú is home to monkeys, deer, coatis, iguanas and other wildlife. You can walk the refuge trails in the afternoon before the 5 p.m. departure and have a good chance of spotting them, since entry to the refuge is included with your tour.

Is the boat ride to Tortuga Islands rough, and what if I get seasick?

The motorboat trip to Tortuga Islands takes 15 minutes. Life jackets are provided for all ages, and the refuge has restrooms and facilities available before and after the tour if you need them.

What is included in the bioluminescence tour price?

The tour includes entry to Curú Wildlife Refuge, round-trip motorboat transfer to Tortuga Islands, a snorkel mask, fruit and soft drinks, parking inside the refuge, and access to showers and restrooms at Curú Beach.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with mobility concerns?

The tour welcomes infants and small children; they can sit on an adult's lap in the boat, and strollers are allowed at the refuge. The experience is suitable for all fitness levels, and the refuge is wheelchair accessible.