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Tortuga Island Snorkeling & Dolphin Spotting from Puntarenas

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/24

Duration7h–8h

GroupUp to 35

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Six hours on Tortuga Island, watching for dolphins on the way out

You spend a full day on Tortuga Island in the Gulf of Nicoya, starting with a boat ride where dolphins and seasonal whales are possible sightings. Snorkeling equipment and a 30-to-40-minute guided session are included, followed by six hours of free beach time to spot wildlife or rest. A prepared lunch with drink and dessert happens on the island, and the certified bilingual guide handles the timing and navigation so you just show up at the dock.

7h–8h

Step-by-step itinerary

Tortuga Island adventure and beach time

Travel 1 hour to Tortuga Island
Observe marine fauna and birds en route
See wild pigs, deer, monkeys, iguanas, peacocks
Enjoy 6 hours of free beach time
Return 1 hour to starting point

The Experience

There's something about the moment the boat engine cuts and you realize you're about to snorkel in open water—that mix of nerves and wanting to see what's actually down there. The trip to Tortuga Island takes about an hour across the Gulf of Nicoya, and that's when the real watching starts. Bottlenose dolphins move through these waters, and humpback whales show up depending on the season, so you're scanning the surface the whole way. The boat has powerful engines and the crew knows the route—they've got all the navigation permits sorted, which means you're not thinking about logistics, just looking.

You arrive at the island around 10 a.m., and the first thing on the schedule is snorkeling. The gear is included, and you get about 30 to 40 minutes in the water. The company has an exclusive area for their clients, so it's not crowded. After that, the day opens up—six hours of beach time, depending on weather. That's when you might spot wild pigs, howler monkeys, iguanas, or deer moving through the island's natural habitat. Nothing's guaranteed because they're wild, but the island is small enough that you're always walking into something. The certified guide speaks English and Spanish, so you're not guessing what you're looking at.

Lunch happens on the island itself—a typical Costa Rican meal with your choice of chicken fillet or grilled fish, plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options if you need them. There's coffee or black tea after, and dessert. The setup includes roofed picnic tables and shower facilities at the dock, so you can rinse off the salt before the hour-long ride back. If your group is more than seven people, you can arrange a private boat, which changes the whole feel of the day.

What’s included

Round-trip boat transport from Puntarenas to Tortuga Island with powerful engines and navigation permits.
certified bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
snorkeling equipment and 30-to-40-minute guided snorkeling session in an exclusive client area.
six hours of beach time on the island.
typical Costa Rican lunch with chicken fillet or grilled fish options, plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.
dessert.
Costa Rican coffee or black tea.
toilet facilities and showers at the dock.
roofed picnic tables.
possible dolphin sightings during the boat ride.
possible humpback whale sightings in season.
opportunity to see wild island wildlife including monkeys, iguanas, deer, and wild pigs in their natural habitat.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mardy tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full island day without arranging boat transport, snorkeling gear, or a meal—the fixed schedule and included guide handle all three, leaving you free to watch for dolphins on the way out and just be on the beach once you arrive.