When it comes to breathtaking beaches, stunning landscapes and fun water activities, Costa Rica has it all. There are several places in the country where you can experience all of that and one of them is Tortuga Island, Costa Rica.
Tortuga Island, or Isla Tortuga, one of several islands in the Gulf of Nicoya boasts white sand beaches, clear turquoise water and incredible views. A Tortuga Island day cruise is one of the best day trips from San Jose or Jaco to experience a gorgeous beach with the Bandera Azul Ecologica award, given only to the cleanest beaches in the country.
We have gone on the Isla Tortuga one day tour with Bay Island Cruises from Puntarenas a few times and had a wonderful trip. Read on to see what it’s like and click this link to get our special $10 Tortuga Island day cruise discount!
Bay Island Cruises
Bay Island Cruises is a Costa Rican company based out of Puntarenas where they take guests on a 1.5 hour cruise through the Gulf of Nicoya to Isla Tortuga. Guests then spend about 5 hours on the island and they provide various activities to enjoy.
They pick up from San Jose, Puntarenas and Jaco for free and include breakfast, lunch, snacks and fruit juice in the tour. They have two boats, a yacht and catamaran which they take out depending on the number of guests. On the beach, they have a designated area with lounge chairs, umbrellas and bathrooms and they stay on the island for a full 5 hours so guests can swim, snorkel, kayak and relax.
Tortugua Island Catamaran Cruise
As we were staying the night before in Puntarenas, we met the crew at their dock in town.
We got on the catamaran around 8 AM and set off into the Gulf of Nicoya with Bay Island Cruises. Their boat has two floors with an air conditioned main cabin and open upstairs deck. The upstairs deck has a Jacuzzi, seats, tables and is where the live music is.
It was a gorgeous day, super sunny with barely any clouds in sight. We went beginning of February which is during Costa Rica’s summer, so all the islands were yellow and brown from the dry heat. But it was still a beautiful sight!
We picked a nice spot at the front of the lower deck so we could lay down with the sun on our faces and wind blowing through our hair. Along the way, our captain shared information about the surrounding islands, Gulf of Nicoya and Isla Tortuga, he pointed out Isla San Lucas (the prison), Curu Wildlife Refuge (right behind Isla Tortuga) and Venado Island.
Live Music
One of the things Bay Island Cruises has that other companies don’t is live music. After we all get settled in the catamaran, the live band set up their spot on the top deck and started playing salsa, meringue and popular pop songs. It was a lot of fun to listen to and watch our MC dance and sing!
After about 1 hour, our captain announced that we were nearing Tortuga Island. As I looked out onto the horizon, I saw a brilliant white sand beach glittering right in front of me.
I could see why companies chose Tortuga Island as the final destination for the cruise, the beach is absolutely breathtaking! No other island we saw in the Gulf of Nicoya had such white sand or clear water!
Click this link to get our special $10 Tortuga Island day cruise discount!
At the Island
When we got close, the crew pulled down a ramp so that we could walk down right onto the shore. The band stood in front of us, happily playing their instruments, welcoming us to Isla Tortuga.
The crew showed us to our place on the island and gave us a brief introduction of what’s what and where’s where. After that, the day was ours. We had a full five hours to do whatever we wanted on the beach: swim, snorkel, relax, kayak, hike or take a nap!
Tortuga Island Activities
Tortuga Island actually belongs to a local family who rents out spots on the beach to tour companies and visitors can rent kayaks, jet skis, pedal boats, snorkel gear, stand up paddle boards and other activities from them.
You can purchase the package that includes a snorkel tour and the banana boat or you can purchase the activities when you get to the island.
Tortuga Island Snorkeling
For the snorkeling tour, they took us to a little dock next to a large rock where we snorkeled and swam with colorful tropical fish for about 1 hour. They do feed the fish which I wasn’t too keen on as it turns the fish into beggars.
Other people went on the banana boat, rented kayaks and went on the short hike. The owners created a sanctuary on the island so you can walk their trails to see peccaries, deer, birds and other animals.
We had lunch after the snorkel tour and they served us fish, chicken, salad, rice and dessert. If you are vegetarian/vegan, make sure to let the company know beforehand or else you will be stuck with eating rice and lettuce all day. The lunch was good but nothing amazing.
For the rest of the day, we relaxed and took a nap at the beach. We also brought our drone so you can see photos of Isla Tortuga from above!
Before we knew it, our five hours were up and it was time to head back to Puntarenas. Although I was sad to leave such a beautiful beach, I was ready to go back and the timing was perfect. We sailed back right during the sunset.
Click this link to get our special $10 Tortuga Island day cruise discount!
Video
You can watch a video of the Tortuga Island Costa Rica one day tour in the video below!
What to Bring
- Bring a day pack with your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, lots of sunscreen and a hat.
- You can bring your swimsuit and change on the boat or on the island.
- If you want to do the hike, it is an easy trail that takes around 30 minutes. No hiking shoes required.
- If you want to do other activities like rent a jet ski, it is best to bring cash. Prices are quoted in USD and they take USD.
Mytanfeet Tortuga Island Discount
If you want to do this one day Tortuga Island cruise, we have an exclusive discount with Bay Island Cruises to give $10 USD off to all our readers! Click the link to book your tour with our discount.
Christine Banuelos says
Hi there,
What is the limitations on personal items allowed as I will be leaving my hotel in San Jose at onset of the tour and will be dropped off in Jaco? Would they allow a carry-on size roller bag and backpack or have an option to store it at the docking area?
Also is snorkeling equip included or do I need to bring mine?
Sammi says
They’ll store your luggage for you during the tour, since you’re doing an interconnection, a carry on size roller bag and backpack is fine.
If you get the package with snorkeling, snorkel equipment is included.
Christine Banuelos says
Thank you! Is there a way to be picked up in San Jose and end the day in Paquera instead of Puntarenas?
Sammi says
Unfortunately with our partner, they do not go to Paquera, only back to Puntarenas
Ana says
Can we take our own snorkling equipment?
Sammi says
Yes
Mckensie Thomas says
Is there a tour you recommend to Isla Tortuga from Paquera?
Sammi says
Hi Mckensie, I would check with ZUma Tours, they are the main tour operator on that side of the Nicoya Peninsula and they do run Isla Tortuga from that side (Paquera/Montezuma/Santa Teresa)
Lisa says
Hi! Any way you could provide a link to the tour? I am a little confused on how to book. Thanks.
Sammi says
https://mytanfeet.com/special-deals/tortuga-island-discount/
BeaaJay says
Hello,
there is a group of us that will be in costa rica in August. We will be staying in Uvita. Do you recommend for us to get dropped off in jaco or puntarenas?
Sammi says
Jaco is closer to Uvita than Puntarenas, so that’s the better spot
Tracy Ellen Riddell says
Is there any accommodation nearby to spend the night that you recommend?
Sammi says
You can’t stay on that island but there is another island a bit north in the Gulf of Nicoya called Chira, that has a glamping hotel and we’ve heard that was nice.
Christine says
Hi! Your posts have become a travel bible for me! Thank you sooo much for what you do! We are heading to CR for the first time this August for 8 days. Two families with older teens. We rented a house in Dominical – excited for the low key island town experience but also looking for adventure. Would this excursion be possible from that location? Is the tour company still picking up at Manuel Antonio? It seems like that’s not too far from Dominical…
I am a little disappointed that the more adventurous region like Arsenal (zip lines and rope bridges) seems so far from where we are staying, but that’s just reason to come back again and stay further north next time!
Sammi says
Hi Christine, the tour company doesn’t pick up in Dominical but they do from Manuel Antonio with a minimum of 6 people. If you have a car, you can drive to the Puntarenas dock too, it’s about 3 hours one way.
There are fun adventures in Dominical, Costa Rica, Hacienda Baru has a small zipline and there are waterfalls and surfing. We have a post for more ideas just in case: Things to do in Uvita and Dominical
Kate says
Hi! I was just wondering are we able to being our own drinks?
Sammi says
You can bring a couple if you fit them in your backpack but you can’t bring a cooler or anything like that onto the boat.
Tina says
Hi! Is this a good beach to visit in August?
Sammi says
Yes!
GESINA says
Hello,
I am staying in Playa Naranjo beach on the 14th and 15. Is it possible to participate in a cruise from that point and on what day?
Sammi says
Hi Gesina, you can but I’d reach out to a tour company like Zuma Tours since they operate Tortuga Island from that side of the Nicoya Peninsula (Paquera). The company we work with only provides the tour leaving from Puntarenas dock.
Ralph says
Would getting to Tortunga Island be accessible for someone in a wheelchair ? I realize not so much on the sand but that can be done.
Sammi says
Hi Ralph, I checked with the tour company and they said it’s not wheelchair accessible 🙁