Snorkeling at Curu Wildlife Refuge: Turtle Islands & Beach

Boat out to three islands, mask on in the shallows, then a long beach stop on your own time.

Snorkel the Turtle Islands archipelago from Curu Wildlife Refuge in Santa Teresa with a live guide in English or Spanish, boat transport, and snorkeling gear included. The tour runs three hours: a 15-minute boat ride to the islands, about an hour snorkeling at Mortars Island, then 90 minutes on Tropical Beach, a quieter white-sand beach with fewer tourists than the main shore. Prescription masks are available for people who need vision correction. Entry to the refuge, tropical fruit, water, and parking are included. You can walk the refuge trails before or after the tour depending on your timing.

The experience

The boat leaves Curu beach and takes 15 minutes to reach the Turtle Islands: a small archipelago where you stop at Rainbow Island and Alcatraz Island (named for the seabirds that nest there) before heading to Mortars Island for the snorkeling portion. Snorkeling equipment is included in the rate. You spend about an hour in the water here, where the shallow reef holds plenty of fish and marine life. If you wear glasses, prescription masks are available so you don't have to choose between seeing and snorkeling.

After the reef, the boat moves you 5 minutes to Tropical Beach on Tolinga Island. A white-sand beach that sees far fewer tourists than the main beach in the area. You have roughly 90 minutes to swim, rest on the sand, and eat the tropical fruit and water the operator provides. The route back to Curu beach takes a different path, with the option to pass Quesera beach on the way. Once you're back on shore, you can rinse off the seawater and use the sanitary services and showers at the refuge.

The operation is carbon neutral (the only company in the area with that certification), and the staff are from the local area with over 25 years of experience in sustainable tourism. Your booking supports the conservation programs the refuge runs. You can walk the refuge trails on your own before or after the tour, depending on what time you book the snorkeling departure.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment (normal and prescription masks).
• boat transport to the Turtle Islands and Tropical Beach.
• entry to Curu Wildlife Refuge.
• tropical fruit snack, water and fried tea.
• sanitary services and showers at the refuge.
• parking inside the refuge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 12:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Youth (5 to 10 years) · Child (1 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Turismo Curú

Is this one for you?This is a shared-group snorkeling tour led by a guide, so you're not navigating the islands on your own. The guide handles the boat and knows where the reef life is. Choose it if you want the structure of a guided experience with the freedom to spend 90 minutes on the beach doing exactly what you want, without a packed itinerary.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 10 years); Child (1 to 4 years).

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 24 h before the start.

How long is the actual snorkeling time in the water?

About 60 minutes at Mortars Island, where the reef holds the most marine life. The rest of the three-hour tour covers the boat rides and the beach stop.

What's the difference between Tropical Beach and the main beach at Curu?

Tropical Beach on Tolinga Island is a white-sand beach with far fewer tourists, so it stays quieter and less crowded than the main beach in the area.

Are prescription snorkeling masks really available, or is that just marketing?

Prescription masks are included for people who need vision correction, so you don't have to choose between seeing underwater and snorkeling comfortably.

What happens if I wear glasses? Do I have to take them off?

The operator provides prescription snorkeling masks for people with vision difficulties, so you can keep your sight clear underwater without wearing your regular glasses.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear instead of using theirs?

Snorkeling equipment is included in the rate and provided by the operator. The tour is designed around their gear.