Dolphin Watching with Costa Rican Companies
Description
The Pacific coast is a perfect place for dolphin watching as these playful animals live in the area throughout the year. Around 8:00 a.m. you will be picked up by a guide and professional driver to start this adventure, heading south of Sámara beach where the magic begins. You can enjoy this activity aboard of an artisan panga. We will sail between 2 and 20 miles offshore, taking in the ocean breeze and the stunning views this paradise has to offer, while letting nature surprise us along the way. It’s common to spot turtles, dolphins, stingrays, and even whales during the season. After this unforgettable experience, our captain will choose the best spot for you to explore the marine life of the Pacific. The snorkeling location and water visibility depend on weather and ocean conditions, ensuring the safest and most enjoyable experience possible. Back on the boat, we will enjoy delicious snacks to wrap up the adventure.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer pick-up and drop-off from all hotels in downtown Sámara and Puerto Carrillo. If you’re staying at a private home or Airbnb in the area, send us your location and we’ll coordinate your transport. You’re also welcome to meet us at our office: Book with María, located across the street from Roots Bakery on the main road in Sámara, Guanacaste (50205).
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Sea sickness pills recommended if necessary.
Reviews(97)
A little expensive for the activity we made only boat to see the dolphins and swim with the slide back with snack fresh fruit (watermelon and pineapple) with drink water and fresh fruity tea in music
Thank you for your comment. We would like to point out that the activities you mentioned are exactly what is outlined in the tour description. Our goal is always to be transparent so guests know what to expect before booking. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with an experience that better matches your expectations in the future.
Our experience was unbelievable. Everything was five star. We saw a pod of dolphins that had a Mom and baby dolphin. We were able to see humpback whales. My 12-year-old loved going off the slide of the boat to snorkel. The snorkeling isn’t the greatest but that didn’t bother anyone. Our group was lucky enough that we had wonderful people also on the tour with us that we’ve befriended. The pick up spot was easy to find. Even where we launched the boat on Playa Carrillo, there was great tide pools for my son to explore great shells and sea glass we found. All the tour guides were great, very informative and helpful. They gave us fresh fruit at the end. They gave water and juice. Bring a hat bring your camera bring sunglasses and a rash card and lots of sunscreen.
Hola Jennifer! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear your experience was five-star and that you enjoyed seeing dolphins, humpback whales, and exploring Playa Carrillo. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back again soon! :)
That it’s not a snorkeling in a wildlife refuge trip. The boat takes you 12 miles out where most my friends were getting sea sick, to look at dolphins, and then brought us back to the harbor to swim in the murky water for 20 min. The tour company should clearly warn guests that snorkeling can only happen when the water is clear. Also should specify that the snorkeling takes place in the harbor in which the boat embarks from. Over all, a waste of money.
Natalie, we’re sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. We would like to clarify that this tour is not advertised as a wildlife refuge snorkeling trip. The main focus of this experience is dolphin and marine wildlife observation offshore. As with everything in nature, conditions depend on the climate, and water visibility is not always clear. For guests whose main interest is snorkeling and visiting Chora Island, we always suggest booking our Snorkeling Tour in Chora Island, which is specifically designed for that experience. Since this is a dolphin-watching tour, the priority is encountering marine wildlife at sea—even though, as you mentioned, dolphins were indeed spotted during your trip. We understand that each guest may value different aspects of the experience. Thank you for your comments.
This was an incredibly disappointing trip and should not have the word 'snorkelling' in it. We drove about 45 minutes away from land to see some dolphins which was nice in itself and then we drove another 45 minutes to get back to the parking lot of boats where we commenced the trip. I was wondering where we would go snorkelling and we were expected to snorkel in the dirty bay filled with boats where there was dead coral. In the description of the trip it stated '....Then don your snorkeling gear to explore the waters near Isla Chora National Wildlife Refuge or the reef of Samara...' We were swimming in a spot with about 75 other tourists from various boats....really disappointing. The trip cost us (family of 3) CAD$265 which was not money well spent.
Rebecca, thank you for your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. We would like to clarify that this is a dolphin watching tour, where snorkeling is offered as a secondary activity. As with everything in nature, both the snorkeling location and water visibility depend on weather and ocean conditions on the day of the tour. For safety and practicality, this can sometimes mean snorkeling closer to shore, where conditions are more suitable. Our description mentions possible snorkeling areas such as near Chora Island or the Samara reef, but these are not guaranteed locations and always depend on real-time conditions. We understand how this may have been disappointing if your main expectation was to snorkel in clearer or more remote waters. For guests whose priority is snorkeling and visiting Chora Island, we always recommend booking our Snorkeling Tour in Chora Island, which is specifically designed for that experience. Since this tour focuses on dolphin sightings—like the ones you experienced—the snorkeling portion is intended as an additional activity rather than the main highlight. We truly appreciate your comments, as they help us continue improving and better setting expectations for future guests.
The boat trip was nice. We saw lots of dolphins and the weather was beautiful. The tour guide was pretty good. Not a ton of information but he was nice and friendly.
Hola Neal! We're glad you enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and had a pleasant time overall. Thank you for your feedback!
Water is not always clear enough but the crew works to find whales and dolphins Then swimming after viewing
Thank you for your comment! Ocean conditions can vary, and while the water isn’t always perfectly clear, we’re glad you noticed the crew’s effort in locating whales and dolphins and making the most of the experience. For travelers whose main interest is snorkeling, we always recommend our Ocean Kayak and Snorkeling to Chora Island tour, which is designed to offer a more immersive snorkeling experience. :)
I loved this experience! I got very lucky and got to see humpback whales, spinner dolphins, and an olive ridley sea turtle! Apparently you have to go 20ish miles out to see the dolphins but we saw them about 10 miles out so like I said, I got extremely lucky. The tour guide was very friendly and offered us fresh fruit and also gave time for us to swim which was great. It doesnt seem that they do snorkeling very often based on the clarity of the water but they still made time for us to swim. They have a slide attached to the boat which is very fun. I thought this was an awesome experience for a great price so I highly recommend!
Hola Vincent! Thank you so much for your amazing review! What an unforgettable experience! As you mentioned, water clarity can vary, but we’re glad you still had a great time in the ocean. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Pura vida!!! :)
We were able to see whales, dolphins, and some sea turtles! Swimming in the ocean was very refreshing at the end of the tour. A very cool experience. We were in Samara during a very windy week and just happened to snag a spot during the one nice day the boats were able to go out.
Hola Cailin! Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad the weather lined up and you were able to join us—and even see whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. What a special day on the water! :)
A really great tour, started well with good communication, pick up was on time just outside our property, good boat and snorkeling equipment. In the tour we had the opportunity to see several dolphins, a whale with baby and a sea turtle. Guide and captain were really good, and the generous offering of drinks and fresh fruit was the icing on the cake. After a very disappointing boat trip in Uvita, we were glad to go on this tour and leave a positive impression of Costa Rica, where misleading tour companies are an exception and not the norm. Pura Vida 🌈
Hola Roberto and Manuela! Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're very happy to know our tour contributed to a positive impression of Costa Rica. Thank you for choosing us! Pura vida. :)
We were picked up from the hotel on time as agreed. On the tour we saw whales, dolphins and turtles. At the snorkel spot you could see some fish.
Hola Moritz! Thank you for taking the time of writing a review! We're very happy to know you felt this was a super tour and we would love to have you back any time! :)
