Uvita Whale Watching Tour
See Costa Rica's most iconic marine mammal, the humpback whale on this tour in Marino Ballena National Park.
- 3-4 Hours
- Not Included
- Wildlife
Caño Island Snorkeling Tour from Uvita
Swim and snorkel at Costa Rica's 2nd best snorkel and diving spot: the incredible Caño Island Biological Reserve, protecting hundreds of marine species such as turtles, reef sharks, dolphins and much more!
- Duration
- 6 Hours
- Transportation
- Not Included
- Certified
- Tour Guide
- Mytanfeet
- Customer Service
Description
Designated as the 2nd best snorkel and scuba diving site in Costa Rica, Caño Island, Isla de Caño in Spanish, sits in the Pacific Ocean about 52 kilometers (32 miles) from Marino Ballena National Park.
This biological reserve is home to a copious amount of marine wildlife such as sharks, eagle rays, fish and turtles. On any given day, visibility is fairly good and visitors have the chance to see all sorts of wildlife!
Enjoy the boat ride to the biological reserve and along the way, you may even spot dolphins and whales cruising in the wake.
You'll go on two separate snorkel sessions at two different locations along the reef of the reserve, to maximize your time on the island and snorkeling experience.
Spend the day exploring one of the most cherished protected marine areas of Costa Rica on this Caño Island snorkeling tour from Uvita!
Tour highlights
- Snorkel at Costa Rica's 2nd best snorkel spot.
- Visit the incredible biological reserve, important for many marine wildlife
- Possibilities to see turtles, rays, tropical fish, dolphins and during the season, humpback whales (January to mid March, July to October) along the boat ride.
- 1 hour and 15 minute boat ride from Uvita to the island.
- 2 snorkel sessions at different points along the reef, led by an expert guide.
Watch the tour video
What is included?
Included
- Caño Island Reserve entrance fee
- Spanish and English bilingual guides
- Boat, snorkel gear, life jackets
- Lunch and snacks (coffee, juice, fruit)
- Parking at the park exit
- Marino Ballena National Park entrance fee
Before you go
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be given upon tour booking, which must be prepaid in full to book.
- Children must be at least 4 years of age to participate. Tour recommended for children 2 years and older.
- No bathroom on boat.
- Boat has a roof and plastic seats.
- Morning meeting time is at 7 AM. Return around 1 PM.
- Lunch is after the snorkeling on the boat.
- Bathrooms available at tour operator office before the tour. This will be your only time to use a toilet on the tour.
- You may stay in the Marino Ballena National Park after the tour as the park ticket is included. Please inform your guide if you wish to stay in the park.
- To get on the boat, it is a wet pick up meaning you need to walk from the beach to up knee high water and the guides will help you onto the boat.
- Tour operator is Pacific Expeditions.
What to Bring
- Wear swimsuit, rash guard, board shorts, snorkel/swimming clothes
- Bring a waterproof backpack and dry bag to hold items
- Sandals, water shoes.
- Sunglasses for the boat ride.
- Sunscreen (reef safe/friendly only please).
- Can bring your own GoPro or underwater camera.
- Bring towels, dry change of clothes, plastic bag to hold wet clothes.
Request this tour
Our prices are quoted in USD and include all taxes and we never charge booking fees. What you see is exactly what you'll pay. While other websites might show lower initial prices, they often add taxes and fees at the end, Mytanfeet believes in transparent pricing from the start.
If you can't see the booking form below, please try refreshing the page or contact us for assistance.
Your questions answered
What is the general itinerary?
7 AM - meet at tour operator office in Uvita downtown. There you will have coffee, juice and fruit and receive a brief introduction to the tour, safety instructions and the itinerary.8 AM - get on boat and journey a little over 1 hour to the island.Around 1130 AM, have lunch on boat while going back to Uvita.Return to the national park around 1 PM.
Do I need to know how to swim to snorkel?
Yes. The snorkel spots are off the island so you will not be touching any bottom and you cannot stand on anything. Everyone has to wear a lifejacket but you must know how to swim.
I have never snorkeled before, can I do the tour?
If you can swim but never snorkeled, you can still do the tour. Let the guides know so during the safety talk and introduction, they can show you how to use the snorkel and feel comfortable with it.
We highly recommend practicing using a snorkel mask and tube before the tour if possible, whether in the pool or off shore as using the snorkel for the first time can take a bit to get used to and you will be in the middle of the ocean.
How long are the snorkeling sessions?
About 30-40 minutes each session. You will follow your guide during the snorkeling sessions.
Can you accommodate my diet?
Yes. Just let us know in the comment section so we can inform the tour operator to accommodate your dietary needs and/or allergies. Lunch is usually on the boat ride back.
When is the best time to do the Caño Island snorkeling tour from Uvita?
The tour is available all year long but the dry season months are the best, January through April. It is not recommended to do the tour in the rainiest month of October. Although mornings can still be clear, clarity may not be good.
Mornings are still good in the rainy season months like July, August and September.
Please note that although Caño Island is Costa Rica's 2nd best snorkel spot, visibility is not always good. It varies a LOT depending on the weather and sea conditions. The island is out in the ocean, and is affected by currents, weather and cloud cover.
What is the boat ride like to the island?
It is about a 1 hour and 15 minute boat ride. As you will be boating into open ocean, please take anti-motion sickness pills if you get seasick easily.
Can I do the tour but not snorkel?
Yes, you can come along as a rider, but please note you will be sitting in the boat the entire time and there is no bathroom on the boat. There is a roof.
Can I bring my own gear?
Yes, definitely. Feel free to bring your own floaties, snorkel fins and mask.
Traveler reviews
No reviews yet. Have you taken this tour? Share your experience below.
More tours to explore
Starting at $132.74 USD per adultBook now