Costa Rica » Central Pacific » Jaco

Jaco Sunset Cruise Playa Fantasia & Water Activities

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.74 (195 reviews) 89% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/41

Duration4h 30m

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

A 50-foot catamaran takes you to a beach only reachable by water

You board a catamaran with 25 others maximum, cruise to a wildlife-reserve beach accessible only by water, spend the afternoon swimming and eating lunch prepared on site, and return watching for marine life. The fixed small group size and included chef lunch are what separate this from the crowded Tortuga Island tours that leave from the same area.

4h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Board small cruise in Jaco
Travel to secluded Playa Fantasia
Explore untouched jungle and beach
Use lounge chairs and hammocks
Enjoy water activities and equipment
Eat light lunch prepared by chef
Relax with open bar and snacks
Cruise back watching dolphins and whales

The Experience

The boat leaves from Herradura Beach, about 40 minutes from Jaco, and it's not crowded. That's the whole point. You're on a 50-foot catamaran with at most 25 other people heading to Playa Fantasia, a secluded stretch of sand inside a National Wildlife Reserve set aside to protect scarlet macaws. The beach itself has no road in, no vendors, no resort — just lounge chairs, hammocks, and the jungle pressing right up to the waterline. When you arrive, a private chef has already set up lunch on the sand: grilled chicken and steak kebobs, salad, roasted potatoes, fresh fruit and handmade dips. The open bar runs the whole time you're there — Pina Coladas, Mojitos, Imperial beer, sodas, water, whatever you want.

Water activities are included and free: boogie boards, paddle boards, snorkel gear, all of it. You can float in the hammocks between swims, or wade out and look for fish. The shade on the boat is real — they've thought about that — but you'll spend most of the day in sun or dappled light, so sunscreen matters (spray sunscreen isn't allowed for safety reasons). If you're vegetarian, they'll prepare something else; just let them know when you book. The whole thing runs from around 11am to 3:30pm during green season (May through November), when evening rain and rough water make a true sunset impossible. During dry season, it's a proper sunset cruise.

On the way back to Jaco, the boat slows down and watches for dolphins, manta rays, and whales. This isn't guaranteed — you're looking, not hunting — but it happens often enough that the crew knows where to point. The whole experience is designed to feel like a private beach day that someone else organized. It's not a booze cruise; families come, kids come, and the small group size is what keeps it from turning into a party boat. You'll need your ID to use the water equipment, and wear something you don't mind getting wet in — long pants and dresses aren't practical when you're boarding from small tenders.

What’s included

Hotel or office pickup in Jaco, transportation to Herradura Beach, passage on a 50-foot catamaran, lunch prepared by a private chef on Playa Fantasia beach (grilled kebobs, salad, roasted potatoes, fresh fruit, dips and chips), open bar with beer, rum cocktails, sodas and water, lounge chairs and hammocks, free use of boogie boards, paddle boards, snorkel gear, and water activities, and the return cruise with wildlife watching for dolphins, manta rays and whales.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Sealounge Catamaran

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a beach day without arranging transport, food or activities yourself, and prefer a small group over the larger Tortuga Island tours — the 25-person limit and included chef lunch are what make the difference.