Picnic Lunch, Dietary Options

Uvita: Snorkeling in Caño Island

★ 4.7 · 8 reviews

from $185 per person

Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 8 hours
Meeting point: Bahía Aventuras office, Uvita
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Marino Ballena Tours and Info

Overview

The day begins with check-in at the operator's offices in Uvita, where coffee, juice, cookies and water are laid on while the group assembles. Guides then run through the plan and the reserve rules before anyone gets near a boat. From there, travellers drive their own vehicles to the secure parking area near the entrance of Ballena Marine Park, and anyone without a car gets a lift to the boat departure point at Playa Uvita.

The crossing to Caño Island takes about 90 minutes, with the possibility of dolphin watching along the way and humpback whales if lucky, in what the operator gives as the January to April season. Once at the island, the group snorkels for 2 hours across several reef spots, wearing life jackets at all times as the rangers of this biological reserve require. A bilingual naturalist guide explains the marine life and the island's past as a sacred site for indigenous peoples of Costa Rica.

After the water time, lunch is a picnic on a nearby beach, since eating is not allowed on the island itself. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. The full outing runs 8 hours, so plan for a long day on and in the water. One note on logistics: hotel pickup is not part of this product, and parking at the secure lot costs $9 in cash.

What's Included

Included

Experienced bilingual guide (English,Spanish)
Admission ticket to Caño Island
Picnic-style lunch (vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available)
Snorkeling equipment
Fees and taxes
Water
Fruit
Boat transportation

Not Included

Towels
Breakfast
Pick-up from hotel or accommodation (pick-up from accommodation is not included)
Photos or videos
Car parking (payable in cash, $9)

Itinerary

Check in at the officeArrive at the Uvita offices, meet the guides, and help yourself to the coffee, juice, cookies and water station while the group gathers. A briefing covers instructions and reserve protocols.
Travel to Playa UvitaDrive your own vehicle to the secure parking area near the park entrance, paying $9 in cash. Travellers without a vehicle are taken to the boat boarding point.
Boat ride to Caño IslandThe crossing takes about 90 minutes, with stops possible for dolphins and, if lucky, humpback whales in what the operator gives as the January to April season.
Snorkeling the reefsThe snorkeling time is 2 hours, split across different spots around the biological reserve. Life jackets must be worn throughout, and park rangers check compliance.
Beach picnic lunchLunch is served picnic-style on a nearby beach, because eating is not permitted on the island. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
Return to Playa UvitaThe boat returns to the same boarding point at Playa Uvita, where the activity ends.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, from what to wear in the water to how food and drinks are handled.

Getting there. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan to make your own way to the Uvita offices. If you drive, secure parking near the park entrance costs $9, payable in cash. Travellers without a car are dropped at the boat entrance.
Sun protection. One reviewer who snorkelled in warm water advised applying a thick layer of sun cream to the backs of the legs and wearing a T-shirt in the water. Hours of sun on the boat and in the sea add up fast.
Bring water. Water is included, but one reviewer felt there was not enough of it across a long day in the sun. The listing suggests bringing a reusable water bottle, and plastic bottles are not allowed in the reserve.
Food and diet. Water, fruit and a picnic-style lunch are included, and one reviewer found the food and drink plentiful. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options exist, and another traveller confirmed a vegetarian meal was prepared for them on request.
Pace and fitness. Expect a full day out, roughly 8 hours door to door, with a long boat crossing either side of 2 hours in the water. Snorkeling is split across different spots around the reef.
Wildlife luck. Reviewers reported colorful fish, turtles, a shark, stingrays, dolphins and even a whale, but sightings are never certain. The operator gives January to April as the whale season for this trip, and one April traveller noted going off-season hoping to see them.

Common issues. The listing and reviews carry a few honest caveats. One reviewer felt the water provided was insufficient for a long, hot day, so bringing a reusable bottle matters. Another warned that snorkeling time came to 2 hours rather than the 3 they expected, which matches the listing's stated 2 hours. Hotel pickup is not included, parking costs $9 in cash, and pets, strollers, drones, alcohol, drugs and plastic bottles are not allowed.

Common Questions

Is lunch included, and can they handle dietary needs?

Yes, a picnic-style lunch on a nearby beach is included, since eating is not allowed on Caño Island itself. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Water and fruit are also provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup is not included. Travellers check in at the operator's offices in Uvita and then drive their own vehicles to secure parking near the park entrance. Those without a vehicle are taken to the boat boarding point at Playa Uvita.

Are entrance fees and taxes extra?

No. The admission ticket to Caño Island and all fees and taxes are included in the tour price. The only extra on land is parking, which costs $9 payable in cash.

How long is the tour and the snorkeling?

The full activity lasts 8 hours. The boat ride out to the island takes about 90 minutes, and snorkeling time is 2 hours, divided among different spots on the reef.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes, the listing allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The operator also asks travellers to get in touch by email or phone before or after booking for any additional information.

What should I bring?

Comfortable clothes and shoes, sandals or flip-flops, beachwear, a towel and a reusable water bottle are recommended. Sun cream and a T-shirt for snorkeling are wise given the long hours in the sun, and plastic bottles are not allowed.