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Sailing Cruise Quepos Manuel Antonio: Dolphins & Snorkeling

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/15

Duration4h

GroupUp to 46

LanguagesEN · DE +1

Mobile ticketAccepted

A two-mast wooden sailing ship with teak decks and dolphins along the coast.

You board a wooden sailing ship in Quepos, sail past Manuel Antonio's rainforest, anchor for snorkeling and kayaking with provided gear, eat lunch or dinner on board, and return to the marina. The morning cruise departs early; the sunset cruise lets you watch the light change from the water. No experience needed — the crew handles the sailing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Board Brisa Elegante at Marina Pez Vela
Set sail into the open sea
Spot dolphins, turtles, and manta rays
Sail along Manuel Antonio beach coastline
View Manuel Antonio National Park rainforest
Spot frigate birds, pelicans, and brown boobies
Anchor near Playa Biesanz for water sports
Swim, snorkel, kayak, and use SUPs
Enjoy "walking the plank" activity
Have early lunch or dinner on board
Return to marina after cruise

The Experience

The Brisa Elegante is 100 feet long, built in 2010 by craftsmen in Turkey, and it leaves Marina Pez Vela in Quepos with two masts raised and up to 46 people on board. You board in the morning for a cruise that sets sail into the open sea, or in the late afternoon if you prefer the sunset version. The ship has teak decks, mahogany paneling in the salon, a wet bar, and enough lounge space that you're not packed shoulder-to-shoulder the whole time. It's the kind of boat that looks like it belongs in a different era, except it was built recently and maintained well enough that the wood doesn't creak with every wave.

Once you're out, the route follows the coastline along Manuel Antonio beach, and the rainforest of Manuel Antonio National Park sits right there on the shore — untouched, dense, the kind of green that doesn't photograph the way it looks in person. You'll pass small islands where frigate birds, pelicans, and brown boobies hang out, and if you're lucky, dolphins, turtles, or manta rays show up in the water. There's no guarantee on the wildlife, but the crew knows the patterns and they're watching. The sailing itself is real — you're not on a motorboat pretending; the sails go up and the ship moves with them.

The boat anchors near Playa Biesanz for the water part of the day. Snorkeling gear is provided, and so are kayaks, SUPs, and pool noodles if you want to float around. Some people walk the plank into the water if they're feeling it. An early lunch is served at 11:30 am on the morning cruise, or an early dinner at 4:30 pm on the sunset one — both include fruit juices and coffee or tea. After you've swum and eaten, the morning cruise heads back slowly to the marina, and the sunset cruise sails into the dusk before returning. The whole thing is a shared experience, so you're with other travelers, but the boat is large enough that you can find a quiet corner of teak deck if you need one.

What’s included

Your day includes boarding the Brisa Elegante at Marina Pez Vela, sailing along Manuel Antonio's coastline with the national park rainforest in view, anchoring near Playa Biesanz for snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP use, an early lunch or dinner with fruit juices and hot beverages, and return transport to the marina. All snorkeling equipment and water sports gear are provided.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Brisa Elegante

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to sail without arranging your own boat or worrying about navigation — the crew handles both, and the shared format means you pay less than a private charter while still getting the teak decks, the mahogany salon, and the view of Manuel Antonio from the water.