Caño Island Snorkeling Tour

Caño Island Tour Overview

This is a full-day tour, operating approximately from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The excursion departs from Uvita, followed by a boat journey of about 1 hour and 30 minutes to Caño Island. During the crossing, especially in whale season, there is a high chance of observing humpback whales, as well as dolphins and sea turtles.

Upon arrival at Caño Island, guests take part in two guided snorkeling sessions, each lasting approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Between the snorkeling sessions, a light snack is provided. After the snack, there is a 15-minute visit to the beach, with access to restrooms and a viewpoint on the island, weather and sea conditions permitting.

The second snorkeling session follows, and once completed, a picnic-style lunch is served on a nearby beach. After lunch, the group returns by boat to the Dolphin Tour office, marking the end of the activity.

Snorkeling at Caño Island

Caño Island is known for its pristine, crystal-clear blue waters, considered among the most unspoiled in Costa Rica. The island is home to an extraordinary diversity of marine life and magnificent coral reefs, recognized as some of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the world.

Beneath the surrounding waters lies the island’s greatest treasure: a rich marine ecosystem with an impressive biodiversity of fish and coral formations, making Caño Island a true natural paradise.

The coral reefs surrounding the island extend to depths of up to 15 meters, providing habitat for countless small and large marine species. Common sightings include schools of jacks, reef sharks, and manta rays, which make Caño Island one of Costa Rica’s top destinations for recreational and deep diving, with several officially identified dive sites.

Caño Island is also a habitat for a wide variety of fish species, as well as whales and sharks.

Caño Island Biological Reserve

Caño Island holds significant archaeological value, as it was used as a pre-Columbian burial ground and permanent settlement. Visitors can still observe ceramic fragments and small stone spheres crafted by indigenous cultures. The island is rich in vegetation and serves as an important resting area for migratory birds.

The island is located on the continental shelf of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, approximately 16 km northwest of the Osa Peninsula, in the province of Puntarenas.

Caño Island encompasses 320 hectares of land and 5,800 hectares of marine area. Its waters contain some of the largest and best-preserved coral reef formations along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. There are five coral platforms (reef shoals) ranging in size from 0.8 to 4.2 hectares.

The beaches are composed of sand and stone, while the higher elevations feature undisturbed tropical humid forest, along with secondary forests of varying ages. Within these forests, 158 plant species have been identified.

Like Marino Ballena National Park, Caño Island is a meeting point for humpback whales from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Availability must be confirmed prior to making payment.