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Tortuga Island & Bioluminescent Snorkel: Spider Monkeys & 2 Islands

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.80 (5 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/6

Duration8h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

One Day, Three Ecosystems: Monkeys, Coral & Glowing Plankton

You spend the morning spotting spider monkeys and snorkeling Tortuga Island's reefs, break for a grilled lunch on the beach, then return to Tambor Bay for a mangrove tour and sunset. The day ends with a night swim in bioluminescent water where plankton light up with each movement. All gear, food, and drinks are included; your group stays private with one guide and captain the entire time.

8h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Island tour and bioluminescent snorkel

Boat ride to 5 gulf islands
Visit Spider Monkey Island
Travel to Isla Tortuga
Snorkel among colorful fish
Explore Tortuga Island wildlife
Have lunch on the island
Return to Tambor bay
Mangrove swamp tour
Relax and swim at Playa Muertos
Watch sunset over the bay
Nighttime bioluminescent snorkeling

The Experience

What if you could see wild spider monkeys, snorkel a pristine island, and swim in waters that light up at night—all in one day? That's what makes this full-day tour from Tambor different. Most operators split the experience: you get either the island tour or the bioluminescence, never both. This one stacks all three, which means you're not choosing between them.

The day starts early with a 45-minute boat ride out to five gulf islands, where spider monkeys live in the canopy. Your private guide and captain stay with your group the whole time, so the pace is yours. After the islands, you head to Isla Tortuga itself—the main stop—where the water is clear enough to snorkel among parrotfish, snappers, and smaller reef species. The boat crew lands you on the beach, and you can either get in the water or just sit under the palms. Lunch comes next: grilled mahi-mahi, grilled chicken, or vegetarian, with fresh fruit, juice, and cold drinks from the ice chest.

The second half is where it gets strange in the best way. You return to Tambor Bay and take a mangrove tour through the northern swamp, then land on Playa Muertos on the east side. You'll watch the sunset from the beach, and as the light fades, the real part begins. The bay's waters are naturally bioluminescent—tiny dinoflagellates that glow when they move. You wade or swim in, and every kick sends up a shower of blue-green light, like you're moving through liquid stars. It sounds impossible until you're in it.

Snorkeling gear, all drinks, lunch, and watermelon are included. The whole thing runs from morning until after dark, so bring a light layer and expect to be damp by the end. Book directly with the operator if you want to confirm pickup from your hotel in Tambor or nearby areas.

What’s included

45-minute boat ride to five gulf islands.
spider monkey viewing.
snorkeling at Tortuga Island with all gear provided.
lunch with your choice of grilled mahi-mahi, grilled chicken, or vegetarian.
fresh fruit, juice, water, soda, and beer.
mangrove tour of Tambor Bay.
sunset viewing on Playa Muertos.
nighttime bioluminescent snorkel with plankton lighting up in response to movement.
watermelon and chips with dip.
private guide and captain for your group only.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Pura Vida Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to pack three distinct ecosystems and activities into one day without coordinating separate tours and timing—the private format means your group moves together, and the all-inclusive meals and gear remove the logistics from your morning.