Tamarindo Catamaran Cruise: Snorkel, Paddleboard & Sunset

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/20

Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 65

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Leatherback turtles nest on these beaches from October through February, and you might see them coming ashore at sunset.

A 5.5-hour catamaran cruise from Tamarindo that sails past Marino Las Baulas National Park and stops at the secluded Playa Huevo for snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking in turquoise water. The boat carries snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks; a certified crew leads the water activities. Open bar with margaritas, mojitos, Imperial beer and piña coladas; fresh fruit, chips and a chipotle burrito bar with grilled chicken, black beans and guacamole are included. The route passes mangroves and rocky coves where dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles surface near the boat, and you return to Tamarindo Beach for the sunset.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran tour with snorkeling and sunset

Set sail along Marino Las Baulas coast
Spot wildlife like dolphins and turtles
Visit secluded Playa Huevo beach
Enjoy snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking
Relax with drinks and snacks on board
Watch sunset at Playa Tamarindo beach

The Experience

Five and a half hours on the water means you leave Tamarindo and sail north past Marino Las Baulas National Park, where the coastline opens into thousands of acres of untouched beach—Playa Grande, Ventanas, Carbón—backed by dry tropical forest and mangroves. Pelicans, frigates and herons work the shoreline; dolphins and manta rays move through the water below. From October to February, giant leatherback turtles come ashore here to nest, and if the timing aligns, you watch them emerge at dusk.

The boat stops at Playa Huevo, a small private beach ringed by forest and turquoise shallows, for about an hour. Snorkeling equipment is on board; you also get access to stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. The water is calm and clear enough to see colorful reef fish and sea turtles. Between the water, the crew brings out the open bar—margaritas, mojitos, gin and tonics, piña coladas, Imperial beer, Costa Rican guaro sours—and the food: pico de gallo and chips, fresh watermelon and pineapple, a chipotle burrito bar where you build your own with grilled chicken, black beans, herbed rice, sautéed vegetables, cheese and guacamole.

The return cruise follows the coast south toward Tamarindo, passing dramatic cliffs and rocky formations. You arrive back at Tamarindo Beach as the sun drops into the Pacific, turning the sky gold, pink and violet. The crew is certified in water safety; the boat handles all the logistics so you move between snorkeling, paddling, eating and drinking without arranging any of it.

What’s included

Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks.
open bar with margaritas, mojitos, gin and tonics, piña coladas, Cuba libres, shots and Costa Rican beers.
pico de gallo, tortilla chips and black bean dip.
fresh watermelon and pineapple.
chipotle burrito bar with grilled chicken, black beans, herbed rice, sautéed vegetables, cheese and guacamole.
certified crew leading all water activities.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Coral Dreams Travel

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary about the wildlife, the beaches and the water conditions in whichever language works for you. The boat handles everything—gear, food, drinks, safety—so it suits travelers who want to move between snorkeling, paddling and eating without stopping to arrange any of it.