8-Hour Caño Snorkel, Meal

The Wonders of Caño Island Snorkeling Tour

★ 4.9 · 92 reviews

from $150 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: Martin Adventours office, Uvita
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Martin Adventours

Overview

It starts early, at 06:30, from the operator's office in Uvita, and runs with a maximum of 24 travellers. Boat trips like this are as much about the ride as the reef: travellers describe a long, bumpy passage, and one notes it offers a chance to see dolphins, whales, flying fish and birds along the way.

The route threads through Marino Ballena National Park, Ballena Bay, Caño Island, Playa San Josecito, Bahia Drake and Playa Ventanas before looping back to the park and the office. Lunch is included, usually a typical Costa Rican plate with chicken and rice and fresh fruit, and reviewers have eaten it on a beach partway through the day. Snorkel gear and safety equipment are provided, and the crew has earned consistent praise in reviews for keeping guests safe and pointing out reef sharks, turtles, stingrays and clouds of fish.

The listing sets hard limits on who should book. It does not suit wheelchair users, people with back problems, pregnant travellers or anyone with serious heart conditions. Children must be at least 6 and carry valid ID or a passport. Note that there is no bathroom on board, and conditions at sea dictate much of the day.

What's Included

Included

Lunch
Bottled water
Use of snorkelling equipment
Use of safety gear
Guide is licensed or certified
Free on-site parking by main office

Not Included

No onboard bathroom
Specialty meals - Additional fees of $0-$40 USD may apply. Must be ordered 48hrs in advance.

Itinerary

Meet at Martin AdventoursMeet at the operator's office in Uvita at 06:30. Free on-site parking is available by the main office, and the tour ends back at the same point.
Parque Nacional Marino BallenaThe first stop in the park lasts 1 hour, with the admission ticket included.
Ballena BayA 1.5-hour stop at Ballena Bay, with free admission.
Caño Island snorkelingThe core of the day: 2 hours at Caño Island with snorkel equipment provided.
Playa San JosecitoA 1.5-hour stop with free admission.
Bahia Drake and Playa VentanasTwo shorter scenic stops, 30 minutes each, both with free admission.
Return through Marino BallenaA final 1 hour in Parque Nacional Marino Ballena with the admission ticket included, then back to the meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from travellers who have taken this exact tour.

Getting there. The trip starts at 06:30 from the Martin Adventours office in Uvita, just off Ruta 34. Take the road south past the Rio Uvita bridge, turn right shortly after the Naluri Collections Home Goods Store, and the office sits on the left about 80 meters before the intersection. Free parking is available on site.
Seas and fitness. Several travellers describe the boat ride as long and bumpy. The listing does not recommend the tour for people with back problems, pregnant travellers or anyone with serious heart conditions. Most travellers in ordinary health can participate.
What you might see. Reviewers report reef sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, dolphins and large numbers of fish, both while snorkeling and from the boat. One group said the crew diverted for a reported whale sighting that was not part of the standard route, which they appreciated. Sightings always depend on the day.
Food and drink. Lunch is included, typically a Costa Rican dish such as chicken and rice with plenty of fresh fruit, and bottled water is supplied. Special dietary meals must be requested 48 hours in advance and may carry an extra fee.
Gear and group. Snorkeling equipment and safety gear are provided, and the guide is licensed or certified. The group is capped at 24 travellers. There is no bathroom on board, which matters on a full day at sea.
Visibility varies. One reviewer notes that snorkeling quality depends heavily on water visibility, which changes with conditions. That traveller said the visibility was poor on their day even though they still enjoyed the trip and would repeat it. Clear days, calm seas and luck with conditions make a real difference.

Common issues. The listing flags several hard limits: no bathroom on board, no wheelchair access, and the tour is not recommended for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers or those with serious heart conditions. Specialty meals cost extra and need 48 hours notice. The operator requires a minimum number of travellers to run, and poor weather can force a cancellation, in which case a different date or a full refund is offered. Refunds require cancelling at least 24 hours before the 06:30 start. Beyond that, the honest downside in reviews is variable underwater visibility and a bumpy ride out.

Common Questions

What is included in the price?

Lunch, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, a licensed or certified guide, national park admission for Marino Ballena and free on-site parking at the office are all included. Not included are specialty meals, which can cost up to 40 USD extra and must be ordered 48 hours in advance.

Is there hotel pickup?

No pickup is listed. The tour starts and ends at the Martin Adventours office in Uvita at 06:30. The office is reached by turning off Ruta 34 south shortly after the Naluri Collections Home Goods Store, and free on-site parking is available at the office.

Is the tour suitable for kids?

Children aged 6 and older can join, but each guest must carry valid ID or a passport. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for pregnant travellers, people with back problems or anyone with serious medical conditions such as heart problems.

How long do we actually snorkel?

The full tour runs 8 hours, with 2 hours scheduled at Caño Island. Additional time is spent at Ballena Bay, Playa San Josecito, Bahia Drake and Playa Ventanas, plus passages through Marino Ballena National Park at the start and end of the day.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the 06:30 start for a full refund. Inside that window there is no refund and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum traveller count is not met, guests are offered a different date or a full refund.

What should I bring?

Bring valid ID or a passport for every guest, since all participants must be 6 or older and show identification. Bottled water and snorkeling equipment are supplied, so those do not need to come from home. Contact the office 48 hours ahead for any special dietary needs.