Tortuga Island Private Boat Tour from Jaco: Subwings & Snorkeling

Arrive first at the snorkel site, then fly underwater with Subwings while the big boats are still en route.

A private speedboat tour from Jaco to Tortuga Island with pickup included, snorkeling, Subwings instruction, spider monkey spotting, and a full beach day with lunch and fresh fruit. The small group size means you reach the snorkel site before the packed catamarans, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or Dutch.

The Experience

Hotel pickup at 7:15 am from Jaco gets you to the boat in Herradura by 8 am, then a 40-minute speedboat ride across the Nicoya Gulf puts you at the snorkel site before the larger tour groups arrive. The boat has Bluetooth, so you can connect your own music for the ride. Once in the water, a guide walks you through the Subwings—underwater wings that let you glide and spin without diving certification—and the equipment is simple enough that it works for both kids and adults who have never tried it.

After snorkeling, a fresh-baked breakfast snack and drinks come first, then the boat heads to a neighboring island to look for spider monkeys in the trees. By mid-morning you're on the beach with personal lounge chairs under shade, SUP boards to paddle, calm water for swimming, and fresh-cut tropical fruit served at your chair. Lunch—grilled fish, chicken or vegetarian—arrives around noon in a shaded picnic area, with water, beer and rum punch throughout the day (juice for minors). The boat leaves around 3 pm for the return trip, landing you back at your hotel by 4 pm.

The private speedboat is the difference here: no waiting for a full catamaran to load, no crowded snorkel site, no schedule bent around thirty other passengers. The guide adjusts the day to what your group wants, whether that's more time in the water, longer on the beach, or a different mix of stops.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport.
• private speedboat with Bluetooth audio.
• snorkeling equipment and Subwings instruction.
• stand-up paddleboard use.
• personal beach chairs with shade.
• fresh tropical fruit at your chair.
• breakfast snack from a local bakery with a drink.
• hot lunch with fish, chicken or vegetarian option.
• water, beer and rum punch throughout the day, juice for minors.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Subwing Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The full day—pickup to return is roughly 8.5 hours—means you get the snorkel site before the crowds, time for Subwings and beach play, and a proper lunch without rushing. If your schedule is tight or you want just a morning or afternoon activity, a shorter tour elsewhere would fit better.

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Top questions

What is a Subwing and do I need diving experience to use one?

Subwings are underwater wings that let you glide and spin through the water without scuba certification or prior experience. A guide gives a brief instruction on the boat, and the equipment is designed so anyone can use it—kids and adults alike.

Will I see spider monkeys on this tour?

The boat visits a neighboring island where spider monkeys live in the trees, and the guide looks for them during that stop. Sightings depend on where the monkeys are that day, but spotting them is a regular part of the tour.

What's included for lunch and drinks?

A hot lunch with grilled fish, chicken or vegetarian options is served in a shaded picnic area around noon; water, beer and rum punch are served throughout the day, with juice available for minors. Fresh tropical fruit is also served at your beach chair.

What time does pickup happen and when am I back at my hotel?

Pickup from your Jaco hotel is at 7:15 am, and you return by 4 pm. The boat departs from Herradura beach, a short ride from Jaco.

Is snorkeling equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

All snorkeling gear is included—mask, fins and snorkel. Subwings and a stand-up paddleboard are also provided for use on the beach.

Can I bring my own music on the boat?

Yes, the boat has Bluetooth, so you can connect your phone or device and play your own music during the ride to Tortuga Island.