Tortuga Island: Catamaran Snorkeling & Banana Boat from Jaco

White sand and clear water: a full day on Tortuga Island, no planning required

You board a catamaran at Los Sueños Marina with breakfast already served, cross the Gulf of Nicoya in 45 minutes, and land on Tortuga Island's white sand with snorkeling gear, a banana boat, and an eco hike waiting. Lunch, margaritas, rum punch, and all drinks are included throughout the day. Transportation from Jaco is arranged in advance, and the crew handles the rest. You just show up and swim.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tortuga Island day trip with activities

• Shuttle from Jaco to Los Sueños Marina
• Board air-conditioned Costa Cat catamaran
• Enjoy light breakfast onboard
• Cruise 45 minutes to Tortuga Island
• Snorkel in clear waters
• Ride the banana boat
• Take scenic eco hike
• Relax on beach with chairs and umbrellas
• Enjoy lunch with Costa Rican dishes
• Drink complimentary Margaritas and Rum Punch
• Return cruise to Los Sueños Marina

The experience

The catamaran's hull cuts through the Gulf of Nicoya at a steady clip, and the island appears exactly where the crew said it would: forty-five minutes out from Los Sueños Marina. You're on the Costa Cat, a 55-foot air-conditioned catamaran that leaves daily from Jaco, and the crossing is smooth enough that you can already taste the margarita waiting on the beach. Breakfast comes onboard before you leave the dock, and by the time you step into the white sand, the crew has already set up your beach chair and umbrella. The snorkeling gear is there, the banana boat is idling at the waterline, and the tiki bar is stocked. Nothing left to figure out except which activity you want first.

The snorkeling happens in water so clear you can see the sand thirty feet down, and the eco hike cuts through the island's interior if you want to trade the beach for shade and a view of the gulf from above. The banana boat ride is the kind of thing that sounds silly until you're holding on and laughing as it tips and spins, and then it becomes the thing you remember. Between activities, there's lunch (grilled chicken, rice, potatoes, salads) served buffet-style on the island itself, not back on the boat. Margaritas and rum punch flow all day, along with coffee and soft drinks, so you're never thirsty or hungry. The crew handles the timing. You just show up at Los Sueños or arrange a pickup from Jaco or Herradura, and they take it from there.

The boat leaves you back at the marina in the late afternoon, and you're the kind of tired that comes from sun and salt water and a full day of moving between water and sand. If you've got kids, the crew says infants can come in a stroller, and the fitness level required is whatever you want it to be. You can snorkel hard or float, hike the whole island or sit under the palms. The whole thing runs on a set schedule, which means you don't have to negotiate timing or worry about missing the boat back.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or marina pickup from Jaco, Herradura, or Los Sueños, breakfast onboard the catamaran, the 45-minute crossing to Tortuga Island, snorkeling equipment, a banana boat ride, an eco hike, beach chairs and umbrellas, a full buffet lunch on the island, and complimentary margaritas, rum punch, soft drinks, coffee, and tea throughout the day. You return to the marina in the late afternoon.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:15

AgesAdult (14 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.Operator's directions: “Diagonal to Maverick Store. Check in time 7:15 am”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Costa Cat Cruises

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want a full Tortuga Island day without arranging transport, activities, or meals separately: the fixed schedule and all-inclusive format mean you show up and the crew handles the rest. Plan for a full day out, which is exactly what makes fitting snorkeling, a banana boat, an island hike, and lunch into one trip possible.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 13 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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 24h before the start.

How long is the boat ride to Tortuga Island?

The crossing takes 45 minutes from Los Sueños Marina.

What activities are included on Tortuga Island?

Snorkeling with equipment provided, a banana boat ride, and an eco hike. Beach chairs and umbrellas are set up for you.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A full buffet lunch with grilled chicken, rice, potatoes, and salads is served on the island. The operator does not offer food substitutions.

What drinks are included?

Margaritas, rum punch, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included throughout the day. You can ask about drink upgrades at check-in.

Can I arrange pickup from Jaco?

Yes. Transportation from Jaco, Herradura, and Los Sueños is included with prior notice.

What time does the boat depart?

The tour departs daily from Los Sueños Marina. Specific departure times are confirmed at booking.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided and included in the tour price.