A half-day catamaran from Tamarindo or Flamingo to the Catalina Islands — one of the top snorkeling sites in Guanacaste, with manta rays, bull sharks, and dense reef fish visible from April through November. Sunset departures are the most popular; full-day tours include lunch.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
The Catalina Islands sit in the protected Gulf of Papagayo and offer some of the best snorkeling in Costa Rica — white-tip reef sharks in shallow water, giant manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins on the way out, and impossibly dense schools of tropical fish over the reefs. Half-day catamaran tours depart from Tamarindo, Flamingo, and the Papagayo resorts. Full-day versions include a beach lunch on a deserted strand. Open bar on the sail back.
What Stands Out
- White-tip reef sharks in shallow water
- Giant manta rays and sea turtles
- Dolphins frequently spotted on the crossing
- Open bar on the sunset return sail
- Departs from Tamarindo, Flamingo, or Papagayo