If you’re looking for an unforgettable and unique experience in Costa Rica, the Bat Islands (Islas Murciélagos) offers exactly that.
This collection of islands in Santa Rosa National Park is a popular experienced scuba diving destination as it is home to an abundance of amazing marine wildlife but anyone can visit by boat to see the islands.
This is a fantastic day trip from Playas del Coco and it was undoubtedly one of the most incredible things we’ve ever done in Costa Rica.
Ready to book the Bat Island snorkel tour? Contact us to set it up!
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Location
The Bat Islands are in Santa Rosa National Park in the Guanacaste province, up in the Northwest Pacific corner of Costa Rica.
About Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa National Park is the first national park established in Costa Rica back in 1971, encompassing over 387 km2 (149 sq mi) or land and water.
This national park is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area World Heritage Site, protecting a plethora of unique flora and fauna.
There are land and marine sectors and the Bat Islands (Islas Murciélagos in Spanish) are one marine sector of Santa Rosa National Park.
One extra special thing about this national park is that even though it is open to the public, many tourists don’t visit due to the access and distance.
The marine sector is by boat only and the land sector is difficult to get to by car as the infrastructure requires a strong 4×4 and is accessible only certain times of the year.
How To Get To Bat Islands Costa Rica
The Bat Islands are boat access only. Before, it used to be mostly scuba divers who visited but now there are tours that go to the island for snorkeling.
We visited the Bat Islands on a day excursion with our friend who has a private boating company in Playas del Coco.
From Playas del Coco, the islands are 1.5 hours one way by boat. The only island with access is Isla San Jose with a ranger station, camping area, bathrooms and trail access.
** Please note that hiking on the island is no longer allowed. Tours include snorkeling and boating around.**
Contact us to book the Bat Islands snorkel tour!
National Park Fee
The Santa Rosa National Park fee is $15 USD per person, free for children under 9. The tour company should arrange the tickets for you.
When Can You Visit Bat Islands?
The Bat Islands are open for visitors only during Costa Rica’s rainy season months, May – November.
Scuba diving trips will run excursions during those months, some only until October.
We visited at the end of August. It rained a little bit in the morning and in the late afternoon but snorkeling conditions were wonderful. We got nice weather for the greater part of the day.
Video
We made a short video of our visit to Bat Islands which you can watch below.
**Hiking on the island is no longer permitted.**
Bat Islands Costa Rica Excursion
For the Bat Islands excursion, we left Coco bright and early at 7 AM and got to the islands around 830 AM or so.
As we reached the Bat Islands, it started raining a little bit so we boated around the islands for about 1 hour until the rains left and winds died down.
The wait was absolutely worth it because the skies cleared up, the sun came out and we got to see the stunning islands in their full beauty.
As we approached the main island, I couldn’t get over just how beautiful the color of the water was! It was breathtaking when the sun came out and we could see the crystal clear turquoise waters.
We couldn’t wait to snorkel and cool off in the water!
We were also the ONLY boat at the island. The scuba divers stopped at Isla San Jose for a little bit to dive nearby and left after an hour.
That made our experience that much more special because we had the entire island to ourselves the whole day.
Scuba Diving Bat Islands
The most popular dive site is the Big Scare as that is where you can see lots of bull sharks. You must be advanced and most trips are one day.
There are some scuba diving shops that offer overnight trips, where you spend the night on the boat.
Interested in diving at the Bat Islands? Contact us for more information!
Snorkeling
We went snorkeling as soon as we got to the islands and had an amazing experience. We saw two turtles, a nurse shark, manta rays and huge fish.
The water was so calm, warm and gentle and it was really nice to swim and snorkel around.
Thanks to many years of government protection, a myriad of marine creatures call the Bat Islands home and is undoubtedly one of the best scuba diving and snorkel spots in Costa Rica.
The Trail
**They no longer allow people on the island to hike the trails. Only snorkeling is allowed.**
After we finished snorkeling, we walked up to the park ranger office to check in and say hi to the two guards who stay on the island full time. At the station, there are bathrooms and sinks and is also the start of the island trail.
For the trail, we walked it in flip flops but you need to be in decent shape and be able to walk up and down ungroomed steep paths and hills.
The entire trail takes about 1 hour and goes throughout the island, starting from the guard station and ending at the beach.
You get absolutely incredible views of the islands, mountains and ocean. I couldn’t stop taking photos and running around to every viewpoint, it was so unbelievably beautiful!
After the hike, we went back to the boat to eat lunch and cool off. We watched the turtles swim around us and soaked in all the stunning views until it was time to go.
On the Way Back to Coco
We left Bat Islands around 3 PM as the sky was starting to turn dark and we wanted to get back to Coco before it started raining.
We boated along the coastline to check out Witch’s Rock and beaches in Santa Rosa National Park, Nancite and Naranjo.
These beaches experience the sea turtle “arribadas” or mass turtle nestings and are closed to the public. As we visited during sea turtle nesting season, we saw a bunch of mating turtles in the water.
It started raining a bit past Witch’s Rock, one of the most famous surf spots in Costa Rica. The waves were not huge that day but they were organized and glassy, perfect for intermediate surfers.
Thanks to the rain, we saw a rainbow over Witch’s Rock!
As we boated past Witch’s Rock, we got a really nice surprise. We were really hoping to see some humpback whales as August is peak humpback whale season in Costa Rica.
All of a sudden, Marcy started pointing to something in front of us and we saw a large fin dip into the water. It was a mom and baby humpback whale!
They swam all the way over to where we were and we watched them for about 30 minutes just swimming around.
Overall Experience at Bat Islands Costa Rica
Our trip to the Bat Islands (Islas Murciélagos) was hands down, one of the best things we’ve ever done in Costa Rica.
The combination of gorgeous views, great snorkeling, wildlife, empty beaches and breathtaking mountains made it one of the most perfect days ever, even with some rain.
We had the entire island to ourselves, we saw dolphins, turtles, fish, a shark, manta rays and humpback whales and saw some of the most pristine ocean and mountain views in all of Costa Rica.
Want to book the Bat Islands snorkeling boat tour? Contact us for a quote and more information!
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Ruby says
Hello there, my fiance and I will be in Costa Rica in May 2024 and we would love to go to Bat Island for a snorkeling adventure. How may we contact your boat captain for a ride over there? Thanks in advance 🙂
Sammi says
HI Ruby, unfortunately the islands open around July or so. May will still be closed.
Sonny Diduch says
Hi, can you still hike on the Bat islands. I was told it was not allowed anymore. Also can you please send me the info for who I can book this tour with if it’s still possible and what the cost was.
Thanks, Sonny
Sammi says
Correct, they don’t allow people on the island to hike anymore, just to snorkel/scuba dive.
Alison says
Hi!
Can we get the contact details of your captain? How much did it cost to hire the drill?
Can you recommend a tour operator for scuba diving (beginner experienced).
Thank you!
Sammi says
Hi Alison, he doesn’t offer scuba diving, only snorkeling. For scuba diving, you have to be advanced open water to go dive at Bat Islands, otherwise you can do a discovery dive/open water at the other islands in the Gulf with shops like Rich Coast, Deep Blue and ROcket Frog in Playas del Coco
Kiera Hanley says
Hi! My friend and I will be in Playa de Cocoa late next week and we want to explore the bat island! How may we contact your boat captain for a ride over there? Also, how much was it to hire them? Thank you!
Sammi says
Hello Kiera, we have sent you an email with more information
Karen Compton says
I would love this info as well! We are planning to visit the end of September 2023
Sammi says
Sure, we will send an email to you shortly!
Annika Zeidler says
Hi,
I was just reading your article an I really loved it!
As we are in Costa Rica right now – could you send us the information too, please? 🙂
We would really like to do this tour.
yeison says
Hello Annika,
The Island is closed for the season and it will be open again in July 2024
Benjamin Messerli says
Hi! We already booked a car with your discount code and are inhaling your precious blog!
Do you already know when the islands are opening in June/July this year? Can you recommend a tour operator for scuba diving (beginner to medium experienced).
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hello Benjamin, we have sent you an email with information
Manuela says
Hi Sammy, just staying in Portrero now until the 30th Nov.
How can I book a day trip to the bat islands please. Have you got a number for a capitán?
Sammi says
Unfortunately the islands are now closed, the season just ended
Melanie says
Hi Samantha …we are planning a trip to Playas del coco next June and we’re interested in visiting Bat Island …any recommendations on a private captain that will take us …maybe your friend?
Sammi says
Hi Melanie, usually the islands open around July, June usually they are not open
Anita Teagu says
Is this experience/excursion possible the first week of June 2022?
Sammi says
They haven’t announced when the islands will be open yet but it’s usually July or so
Ashley says
Is it possible to visit Bat Islands in March? Or is it too unsafe?
Sammi says
It is not open, the islands are only open around June/July – Oct/Nov, rest of the months they are closed.
Jim Arata says
I am so impressed by all the information, pictures and maps you provide. I will be in Guanacaste from October 26 to November 9 and want to experience the Bat Islands either on a trip like yours or as a scuba diving excursion, or both. It appears that you stop running excursions in September. Do you have a referral that I could contact to arrange a trip(s) to the Bat Islands during the time I am there?
Sammi says
Hi Jim, definitely check out the scuba diving companies in Playas del Coco. I know Rich Coast Diving still runs Bat Island scuba diving tours through November, Deep Blue Diving runs them through October.