Caño Island Snorkeling from Drake Bay
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5.0 · Top snorkelingFull day · ~6.5 hrsSmall group · bilingual guide
Ocean & Water · Marine reserve

Caño Island Snorkeling from Drake Bay

Crystal-clear water, volcanic reefs and the occasional sea turtle drifting beside you — two guided snorkel sessions at the Caño Island Biological Reserve, just off Drake Bay.

Reserve this trip$95per person
About this trip

What to expect

Caño Island Biological Reserve is a protected sanctuary of crystalline water and volcanic reef. We leave Drake Bay by boat, watching for dolphins and flying fish on the way out.

Two guided sessions give the best chance of meeting turtles, rays, reef fish and even eagle rays or reef sharks. Gear, permits, boat and lunch are all included.

Trip highlights

Two guided snorkel sessions

Over volcanic reef with very high wildlife odds.

Turtles, rays & reef fish

Possible eagle rays and reef sharks too.

Gear & permits sorted

Mask, fins, park fees and safety gear included.

Lunch on the coast

A meal at Playa San Josecito or in town.

Your day, hour by hour

The itinerary

7:00 AM

Meeting Point

Meet at the beach in front of Drake Bay. Try on your equipment and get ready to depart.

7:15 AM

Boat Ride to Caño Island

Approximately 1 hour boat ride. Enjoy the early morning sea breeze as we ride through the Pacific coast. Keep your eyes open for dolphins or flying fish.

8:15 AM

Arrival at Caño Island

2 snorkeling sessions at different locations 45 minutes to 1 hour, relaxing break on the island (30 minutes)

11:00 AM

Depart for lunch

Depart for lunch to Playa San Josecito or to town (according to weather conditions). Take a break and enjoy a hearty meal. If we go to San Josecito, the boat departs back to Drake Bay at 1:00 PM.

1:40 PM

Back in Drake Bay

Finally back in Drake Bay.

What's included

  • Certified local guide (EN / ES)
  • Round-trip boat from Drake Bay
  • Park entrance fees & permits
  • Snorkel gear (mask & fins)
  • Lunch, water & fruit
  • Safety gear & first aid

Not included

  • Breakfast before departure
  • Alcoholic beverages & extra snacks
  • Sunscreen, repellent & personal items
  • Tips for your guide (appreciated)
$95per person
Reserve this trip
Before you go

Good to know

What to bring

Swimwear under your clothes, a towel, a rash guard or t-shirt for the sun, and reef-safe sunscreen. Mask and fins are included; bring your own if you prefer your fit.

Who it's for

Anyone comfortable in open water wearing a life vest. You do not need to be a strong swimmer — the guide stays with the group and vests are available for everyone.

Best season

Visibility is usually best from December to April, when the sea is calmest and the rivers are running low. May to November still snorkels well between rain systems.

Where we meet

On the beach in Drake Bay at 7:00 AM to fit gear before we leave. The crossing to the island takes about an hour.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a good swimmer?

No. Everyone wears a flotation vest, the guide is in the water with the group the whole time, and the boat is never far. If you are nervous, say so when you book and we will keep you close.

What will I see in the water?

Reef fish in large numbers, plus rays, moray eels and often white-tip reef sharks, which are harmless. Green and hawksbill turtles turn up regularly. Eagle rays are a lucky day, not a promise.

Is snorkel gear included?

Yes — mask, snorkel and fins, plus a flotation vest. We fit everyone on the beach before departure so nobody discovers a leaking mask an hour offshore.

Can we land on Caño Island?

Landing on the island is only permitted for 30 minutes, as long-term stays are prohibited to protect the biological reserve. The rest of the activity takes place from the boat and in the water, and lunch is taken upon returning to the mainland.

Can children do this trip?

Yes, and they usually love it. Children who can swim a little and are happy with a mask do fine. For very young ones, tell us their age and we will be honest about whether it will work.

Is this tour refundable?

No. Once this tour is confirmed, we purchase non-refundable park tickets, permits or other third-party reservations. If we cancel due to force majeure, we will offer another date or a full refund.

From our guests

Hear from travelers who chose us

13 reviews on Google

We booked two tours with Bucaneros and were very satisfied. We especially enjoyed a trip with Carlos on the boat, where we saw a huge pod of dolphins and were treated to a delicious meal in a beautiful bay. Carlos is a relaxed, caring, and friendly guide. If you're still hungry or thirsty after the tour, the family-run restaurant El Bucanero is a great option.

Mats Ahlgren

The bioluminescence tour was wonderful. Carlos and Carlos or friend will take you out on a multipurpose boat, the same one their family uses to catch fresh fish for their restaurant. This type of bioluminescence is reactive to the touch. In Drake Bay in mid-July, we went out into the middle of the bay and swam in life jackets. They were willing to do a private tour for a bit longer for a little more, and were very flexible and nice. I felt comfortable at night with a ratio of 1 guide to 3 people, so if swimming in a lifejacket at night in the bay is scary for you, you might inquire about that. It is difficult to climb up to the boat without a ladder on your own, but extremely easy with the captain's helping hand. This bioluminescence is not easily photographable and requires at a minimum a very very large aperture DSLR with very high ISO and sensitivity, and even then it's extremely faint. Think of it as bright as small ephemeral stars in the water, a few dozens whenever you move. The snorkeling goggles are not compatible with prescription glasses, but I preferred personally the clarity of no goggles (which can get foggy), while my companions preferred with goggles. Any night is good as long as the moon is not up in the sky (new moon or near new moon is fine any time of night, but anything else and you have to check the lunar hour by hour moonrise moonset time table). Very nice family, who helped us out a few times when we forgot an item or two. Tasty drinks and food at their restaurant too. Another unnamed popular agency across the street cancelled another bioluminescence tour we booked, disingenuously claiming "weather" (seemed fair weather; I think they didn't get enough customers that night), but Bucaneros Corcovado Tours is very good. Bucarenos Tours honored the scheduled time and has always been straightforward and honorable, and we greatly enjoyed their kindness/hospitality and experience. Muchas gracias para todos 🤎

Dominik Müller

Thanks Carlos for the amazing kayak tour showing us the bioluminescence! After paddling out in the sea for a while, the biolumnescence was clearly visible from the kajak and even more while swimming in the sea. It was magical!

Christoph Hammer

We booked the Sunset & Bioluminescence Tour as a family, and it was absolutely amazing. Carlos and his friend did an outstanding job throughout the experience. Our kids especially loved when they cut fresh coconuts from the palms and prepared sugar cane for us to try. They even brought along cold beers, which we enjoyed while watching the sunset from the boat. Later, swimming in the glowing water under the pitch-black, starry sky felt truly magical. We can without hesitation recommend this tour. If you're interested, it’s best to visit Bucaneros Restaurant and arrange it directly with them, as the website still needs a bit of improvement . Its worth it! :)

Ron Mitchell

My wife and I were impressed by the professionalism and knowledge of Carlos during our inshore fishing tour today. He tried different spots, different techniques in pursuit of the best experience. We caught Bonito Tuna, Red Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, and Jack. The Jack fish was served at the El Bucanero Restaurante in a Ceviche dish - muy deliciosa!

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Small groups, licensed local guides, 100% wild. Tell us your dates and we'll get you out on the water.

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+506 6194 7003 info@bucaneroscorcovadotour.com
Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula · Costa Rica
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