Catamaran sailing Tamarindo: dolphins, snorkeling, sunset

Four and a half hours on the water: sailing, swimming, snorkeling, a meal, and likely dolphins

Blue Dolphin Sailing is a public catamaran tour departing from Tamarindo that runs north along the coast for about an hour, moors in a cove near Playa Huevos for water activities including snorkeling and paddleboarding, then returns to shore after sunset. The boat carries a professional, licensed crew and runs on either a 40-foot open catamaran or a larger 50-foot cruising-style vessel. Drinks, a light meal of chicken fajitas with sides, and all snorkeling and water gear are included; book by 11:30 am on the day you want to go, as tours fill up during high season.

The Experience

You board in Tamarindo and head north up the coast for roughly an hour. The crew keeps drinks flowing—sodas, juices, beer, wine, and spirits—while you watch the water for sea life. Whales, dolphins, turtles and rays show up often enough that spotting them is part of the rhythm of the morning, not a promise. The scenery is the constant: the coastline, the open water, the light changing as you move.

Once the boat moors in a cove near Playa Huevos, the water activities start. You can snorkel with gear provided, paddleboard, kayak, or swim. Pool noodles are on hand if you want them. There's no schedule pushing you—you move between the water and the boat as you want. Around 4 pm, the crew serves a light meal: chicken fajitas, black beans, salad, a fruit platter, vegetables, and homemade banana bread. You eat aboard while the boat sits anchored.

After the meal, the boat weighs anchor and heads back to Tamarindo. The music plays, the drinks keep coming, and if the mood takes you, there's dancing. The return is timed to bring you back to shore just after sunset—the whole day runs four and a half hours from start to finish. Arrive 15 minutes early to check in; public transportation options are available to get you to the dock.

What’s included

• The tour includes snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards and pool noodles.
• a full bar with beer, wine, spirits, sodas, juices and water.
• a light meal of chicken fajitas with black beans, salad, fruit and vegetables.
• swimming in the cove.
• and a restroom aboard.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Blue Dolphin Sailing

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a full day on the water with swimming and snorkeling stops—the catamaran departs from Tamarindo beach, so there's no transfer needed, and the crew handles all sailing while you move between the deck and the water.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the two Blue Dolphin boats?

Blue Dolphin 1 is a 40-foot catamaran with an open layout; Blue Dolphin 2 is a larger, 50-foot cruising-style catamaran. Both run the same route and include the same activities and meal—the choice is yours at checkout.

Will we actually see dolphins and whales on this tour?

Sea life including dolphins, whales, turtles and rays are spotted regularly on the northbound run, but sightings are not guaranteed. The crew watches for them as part of the day, and they appear often enough that it's a real possibility, not a rare event.

What water activities can I do in the cove?

You can snorkel with provided gear, paddleboard, kayak, or swim. Pool noodles are available if you want flotation, and you move between the water and the boat on your own schedule while the boat is anchored.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and families are welcome. The boat has a restroom aboard, and the day includes a meal, drinks, and water activities that work for different ages and comfort levels.

What time does the tour return to shore?

The tour runs four and a half hours total and returns to Tamarindo just after sunset. You'll need to book by 11:30 am on the day of your tour, and arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.

What's included in the meal?

The light meal served around 4 pm includes chicken fajitas, black beans, salad, a fruit platter, a vegetable tray, and homemade banana bread. Drinks—sodas, juices, beer, wine, and spirits—are available throughout the day.