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Tortuga Island Snorkeling & Beach Day from Santa Teresa

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.47 (17 reviews)

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/9

Duration8h 30m

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Tortuga Island Snorkeling: 45 Minutes by Boat, Afternoon on White Sand

You get picked up in Santa Teresa, ride 45 minutes to Tortuga Island spotting dolphins and rays, snorkel in clear water with all gear provided, eat a BBQ lunch on the beach with two beers included, then spend the afternoon swimming, kayaking, or hiking before heading back. The whole day is handled — no arranging boat times, no renting snorkel gear separately, no figuring out where to eat.

8h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Tortuga Island snorkeling and beach day

Boat ride to Tortuga Island
Spot dolphins and rays
Snorkel in clear waters
Enjoy BBQ lunch on beach
Relax or hike on island
Swim or rent kayak

The Experience

So you're in Santa Teresa with a free day and someone mentions Tortuga Island — and yeah, you've heard the stories about the dolphins. The boat leaves early, and the 45-minute ride out is already half the thing. You're heading down the coast with the Nicoya Peninsula on one side and the Pacific opening up on the other, and most days you'll see them: dolphins jumping, manta rays, sometimes even humpback whales if the timing's right. The water's calm enough that it doesn't feel like a white-knuckle crossing, just a slow drift toward something better.

Once you hit Tortuga Island, the snorkeling happens in water so clear you can see straight down. Angelfish, spotted eagle rays, the usual reef crowd — nothing feels staged or disappointing. Your guide is bilingual, so there's no confusion about where to go or what you're looking at, and all the gear (mask, fins, snorkel) is already on the boat. You get two hours in the water, give or take, and then it's time for lunch. They set up a BBQ right there on the white sand beach — fresh fish, chicken, or a veggie option, plus plantain chips, rice, and fruit. Two beers come with it, and there's filtered water all day so you're not getting dehydrated in the sun.

After lunch, the afternoon's yours. Some people hike the island trails, some rent a kayak and paddle around, some just stay on the beach and read. There's no schedule pushing you, which is the whole point. The boat ride back takes the same 45 minutes, and you're usually back in Santa Teresa by late afternoon, tired in that good way where you've actually done something instead of just sat somewhere.

What’s included

Hotel pickup from Santa Teresa or Mal Pais.
45-minute boat ride to Tortuga Island with opportunities to spot dolphins, rays, and whales.
full snorkeling session with mask, fins, and snorkel provided.
BBQ lunch on the beach with tuna, chicken, or veggie options plus sides and fruit.
two beers per person.
filtered water throughout the day.
afternoon activities including hiking, kayaking, or beach time.
bilingual guide.
return boat ride and drop-off.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Zuma Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a full snorkeling day without arranging transport, gear rental, or lunch separately — the fixed itinerary and early start are what fit everything into one afternoon back on the beach.