About this tour
Snorkel one of Costa Rica’s best reefs. Two water sessions, wildlife often on the crossing, then lunch at San Josecito Beach.
Caño Island is known worldwide for clear water and marine life. You leave between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. depending on your lodge. The boat ride is about 45 minutes — dolphins, turtles, and pelagic birds are common on the way. Rangers check you in, then guides pick the day’s best authorized snorkel zones.
Two sessions of about an hour each, with a break on the island beach. Coral, tropical fish, and, when luck is with you, turtles, rays, or sharks. Lunch is usually a picnic at San Josecito Beach — swim or walk after you eat. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free on request. The island has restrooms, showers, and drinking water.
What to bring
Pack light
What to pack. We keep extra bags on the boat.
Your bag
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Sandals
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses
- Hat or cap
- Towel
- Long-sleeve shirt for snorkeling to avoid sunburn
Good to know
Local notes
Read this before you leave the lodge.
Before you go
- Early start — leave the hotel with time to spare
- If you get seasick, take something before boarding
- Use reef-safe sunscreen
- A long-sleeve shirt helps in the water
Wildlife you may see
- Dolphins
- Sea turtles
- Manta rays
- Sharks
- Tropical fish
- Pelagic birds
- Marine corals
- Various reef marine species
Trip details
About 45 minutes by boat. Ranger check-in on the island. Two ~1-hour snorkels with a beach break. Visibility follows currents and weather. Lunch is usually at San Josecito — vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free on request. Restrooms, showers, and water on the island.
Location
Caño Island is located in the Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica, facing the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas province. Tours usually depart from areas such as Drake Bay or Sierpe, near Corcovado National Park.
The island is approximately 16 km from the Osa Peninsula coast and 45 minutes to 1 hour by boat, depending on the departure point and sea conditions.
On the map
Caño Island
Protected island sanctuary ~45–60 min by boat — snorkeling, reefs and marine life.
Transport
Boat transportation to Caño Island is included. Departure is from the main beach, and some hotels coordinate nearby pickup.