Damas Island Kayaking Tour: Manuel Antonio Mangroves

Four hours paddling through mangrove channels where fresh water meets salt.

A 4-hour kayaking tour through the mangrove waterways of Damas Island, just 10 minutes from Manuel Antonio, with a local guide, lunch and hotel pickup. You paddle protected inland canals at a pace suited to your fitness level, moving through channels where fresh and salt water blend and wildlife inhabits the plants along the banks. The tour includes snacks, a guide in English or Spanish, and a vegetarian meal option if you request it at booking.

The Experience

The tour departs from your hotel in Manuel Antonio or Quepos with pickup included, and the 10-minute drive gets you to the water's edge. You'll paddle single or double kayaks—the choice is yours—through channels that stay protected from open ocean swell. The mangroves create a maze of waterways where the current helps carry you forward, and the pace adjusts to how comfortable you are in the boat. A local guide leads the way, narrating in English or Spanish, and points out the plants and animals that live in the blend of fresh and salt water.

Wildlife sightings depend on the day and the season, but the ecosystem itself is the draw: the mangrove roots, the water clarity, the way the landscape changes as you move deeper into the system. Lunch happens partway through, either on the water or at a stop, and snacks keep you fueled between paddles. The whole outing runs about 4 hours from start to finish, including the time on the water and the meal break.

Bring a swimsuit, quick-dry clothes, a hat, sunglasses and water shoes; bug spray and a waterproof camera are worth packing too. Lifejackets are provided, and the largest fits a chest up to 52 inches. A minimum of 2 people per booking keeps the group small, and the maximum is 10, so you're never in a crowd on the water.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Spanish.
• kayak and lifejacket.
• lunch and snacks.
• hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels in Manuel Antonio and Quepos.
• all taxes and fees.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Amigos del Rio

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that lets you follow the commentary comfortably. If you're new to kayaking, the protected waterways and adjustable pace work for beginners with moderate fitness; if you're experienced, you'll find the mangrove system itself worth the paddle.

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Top questions

What kind of wildlife will I see on the Damas Island kayak tour?

The mangrove waterways are home to birds, fish, crabs and other animals that live in the blend of fresh and salt water. What you spot depends on the time of day and season, but the guide will point out the plants and creatures along the banks as you paddle through the channels.

Is the kayaking difficult if I've never paddled before?

The pace adjusts to your fitness level and paddling experience. The waterways are protected from ocean swell, and the current helps carry the kayak forward, so beginners can manage the 4-hour outing. You'll need at least a moderate level of fitness, and the minimum age is 6 years old.

How long does the tour take from pickup to drop-off?

The full experience is about 4 hours, including hotel pickup, the 10-minute drive to Damas Island, paddling time and lunch. Drop-off returns you to your hotel in Manuel Antonio or Quepos.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a local guide, all taxes and fees, lunch, snacks, a lifejacket, kayak rental and hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels in Manuel Antonio and Quepos. A vegetarian meal option is available if you request it when you book.

Can I book a single kayak or do I have to share?

Single and double kayaks are both available, so you choose which one suits you. The booking requires a minimum of 2 people and accommodates a maximum of 10.

What should I bring on the kayaking tour?

Pack a swimsuit, quick-dry clothing, a hat, sunglasses and water shoes. Bring bug spray and a waterproof camera if you have one. The guide and lifejacket are provided; the largest lifejacket fits a 52-inch chest.