Quepos Catamaran: Manuel Antonio Whale & Snorkel Tour

Gliding past whales off Quepos: what a 3-hour catamaran actually delivers

You board a catamaran at Quepos and spend three hours gliding the Manuel Antonio coast, likely spotting whales and dolphins along the way. You snorkel a reef at Biesanz beach with provided equipment, eat a typical lunch on the boat, and return with the whole day still ahead of you. Inclusions cover entry, snorkeling gear, lunch, drinks and fruit. Nothing extra to arrange.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran tour and snorkeling

• Board catamaran in Quepos
• Enjoy coastal ride with music
• Spot whales, dolphins, and turtles
• Have natural drinks and typical lunch
• Stop at Biesanz beach
• Snorkel in colorful reef
• Use slide and jumping platform
• Return to Quepos

The experience

You step onto the catamaran at the Quepos dock and the boat cuts toward Manuel Antonio's coastline: music playing, the ocean opening up in front of you. This is whale season, so the sighting is very likely. Dolphins show up too, and if you're lucky, manta rays and flying fish break the surface as you move along the water. The crew hands you a natural drink and fruit while you scan the horizon with binoculars. Three hours sounds short until you realize how much happens in that time.

The catamaran tour stops at Biesanz beach, where you get in the water to snorkel a reef that's crowded with colored fish. The equipment is there, masks and fins included, and the crew handles the logistics so you just swim. There's a jumping platform if you want it, a slide if the mood takes you. The boat has separate toilets, hand sanitizer stations, and they run strict hygiene protocols on the gear between swimmers. After snorkeling, you climb back aboard and the crew serves a typical lunch: rice, vegetables, chicken or fish, natural drink, fruit. No rushed eating. The boat idles while you eat and the coast stays visible.

What makes this work for families is that it doesn't pretend to be something else. Infants ride in a stroller, small children stay close to parents, and the boat moves at a pace that lets you actually see what's happening instead of racing between stops. Wheelchair access is built in. The whole experience is three hours: long enough to feel like a real outing, short enough that you're not exhausted by the end. Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, a light cloth for the sun, and binoculars if you have them. The crew takes care of the rest.

What’s included

Your day includes the catamaran ride along the Quepos and Manuel Antonio coast, snorkeling equipment and access to Biesanz beach, a typical lunch with rice, vegetables, chicken or fish, natural drinks, fresh fruit, and all beverages: both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The boat has separate restrooms and strict hygiene protocols on all shared equipment.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:30

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (2 to 6 years): free · Infant (1 year): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 22 pickup points.Operator's directions: “Frente a la Gelatería en Marina Pez Vela, Quepos.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Iguana Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see whales and dolphins without arranging transport, snorkeling gear or a meal separately. The catamaran handles all three in one outing, and the 3-hour window fits easily into a day that includes other plans.

Traveler reviews

4.78★★★★★★★★★★

164 verified traveler reviews

5 ★149

4 ★6

3 ★2

2 ★2

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 6 years): free; Infant (1 year): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What's the chance of seeing whales on this catamaran tour?

Whale sightings are very likely during whale season. Dolphins, manta rays, turtles and flying fish also appear regularly, though sightings depend on ocean conditions.

How long is the Quepos catamaran tour?

Approximately 3 hours from start to finish.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, a jumping platform and a water slide are all part of the tour. The crew sanitizes equipment between uses.

What's included in the lunch?

A typical lunch with rice, vegetables, and either chicken or fish, plus a natural drink and fruit.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

Yes, wheelchair access is available.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen, a swimsuit, a light cloth or cover-up, and binoculars if you have them. The crew provides everything else.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

Yes, alcoholic beverages are included along with natural drinks and fruit.