Snorkeling in Papagayo Gulf: Catamaran with chef and fishing

Snorkel reefs at Jicaro Beach, then watch the chef cook your catch at sunset

Snorkel the Papagayo Gulf on a half-day or full-day catamaran activity from Playa Hermosa with a live guide in English or Spanish. You visit sea caverns and mangroves, snorkel at Jicaro Beach to see turtles and starfish, then fish for maji maji (yellow fin tuna) that the onboard chef cooks for you. An open bar runs throughout, and pickup is included.

What’s included

• An open bar with drinks throughout the day (alcoholic beverages for guests 21 and over).
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup.
• snorkeling gear access.
• fishing equipment.
• and a meal prepared by the onboard chef from your catch.

Times

• Every day No fixed time

Information

Snorkel the Papagayo Gulf from Playa Hermosa on a catamaran with open bar and fishing. Your chef cooks the day's catch while you spot dolphins, turtles and reef fish.

Group Private 3 similar group tours ›

Live guide English and Spanish

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. See the pickup points

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Not recommended with back problems

More information The pickup points, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

The experience

The catamaran leaves Playa Hermosa and heads into the Papagayo Gulf, where you'll swim in sea caverns and watch for monkeys and marine life along the coast. The boat then moves to the mangrove, where birds of different species gather. Bring a camera or GoPro if you want to capture them. After that comes the snorkeling at Jicaro Beach, where the reefs hold turtles, starfish and a variety of fish you can photograph underwater.

Once you've finished snorkeling, you move to fishing. The goal is maji maji, a yellow fin tuna that bites in these waters. Whatever you catch, the chef onboard will prepare it for you, so you eat what you've pulled up. The catamaran circles back toward shore as the sun drops, and you finish the day with a sunset view near Monkeyhead Rock. Between the water and the cooking, there's time to dance and drink from the open bar (alcoholic beverages are for guests 21 and over).

A live guide in English or Spanish stays with the group throughout, and hotel pickup is arranged before you board. The half-day and full-day options both follow the same route. The difference is how much time you spend at each stop and how the afternoon unfolds.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What kind of fish will I catch if I go fishing on this snorkeling trip?

Maji maji, a yellow fin tuna, is the target species in the Papagayo Gulf. The chef onboard will cook whatever you catch for you to eat.

Can I snorkel if I've never done it before?

Snorkeling at Jicaro Beach is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The guide will be with you in the water, and the reef is home to turtles, starfish and a variety of fish that are easy to spot from the surface.

What happens at the mangrove stop?

The catamaran moves into the mangrove where different species of birds gather. You stay on the boat to watch and photograph them. It's a good spot for a camera or GoPro if you want to capture the wildlife.

Is the open bar included for everyone?

The open bar is included for guests 21 and over. Alcoholic beverages are not available to younger travelers, though non-alcoholic drinks are part of the service.

Does the price include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup is included in the activity price. The guide will arrange a time and location with you before the departure.

Operated by All Exclusive Tours CR. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago