The Best Places to Snorkel in Costa Rica
Both sides of Costa Rica have some of the best snorkelling in the world, with the Pacific offering more biodiversity, such as whales and coral reefs, while the Caribbean is more remote with calmer waters. Most snorkelling in Costa Rica can be accessed right off the beach, making it easy for swimmers of all abilities to join in, but some places require a boat trip. Whether you’re a first-time snorkeller or mega-fan, here are our favourite places in Costa Rica, tried and tested by Scott Dunn’s travel experts.
Flamingo Beach
Best for: Families travelling with older children will appreciate how this snorkelling spot feels a bit remote and adventurous with the boat ride but is still close to major Costa Rican hubs.
Where to stay: Stay at the Four Seasons on the Papagayo Peninsula, the perfect retreat for families. It boasts a kids' club, excellent facilities and beaches lining either side of the resort.
Snorkelling at Flamingo Island, Costa Rica, is an experience that immerses you in the natural beauty of the area. The beach is known for its sands, crystal clear blue waters, and awe-inspiring sunsets. And it can be easily accessed from parts of the country (just an hour from Liberia). But we don't recommend snorkelling right off the beach. It's better to take a private boat off the coast and stop at beaches like Playa Guacamaya. The marine life off the coast is abundant and diverse, with various fish, turtles, and even sharks, making it some of the best snorkelling in Costa Rica. Plus, the water is so crystal blue, you can see fish swimming before even touching the water.
Golfo Dulce
Best for: Beginner snorkellers or groups with varying skill levels thanks to the calm, shallow waters, and snorkelling reached directly from the beach.
Where to stay: Playa Cativo Lodge, a boutique beachfront hotel on the Golfo Dulce. This wooden plantation-styled hotel offers remote rustic beauty.
Golfo Dulce is part of the Osa Conservation Area. It is a tropical fjord separating the Osa Peninsula from the Costa Rican mainland and an unspoilt, biologically diverse region full of amazing species. This protected cove is relatively off-the-beaten-track compared to other snorkelling spots, so doesn’t get too busy. Plus, its sheltered location – with a backdrop of rainforest – defends the sea from strong currents making it ideal for families and beginners. Warm, clear waters are home to parrotfish, angelfish, rays, sea turtles and sometimes even dolphins, whale sharks and humpback whales (from July to September). You can snorkel right off the beach here or head further out by boat or kayak in search of sea life.
Cahuita National Park
Best for: Confident swimmers who are keen to see extraordinary fish.
Where to stay: Stay at the Aguas Claras for a taste of Costa Rican culture and beach bungalow bliss.
Snorkelling in Cahuita National Park requires a guide and a boat to reach the best areas, but once you’re there, you’ll find some of the best snorkelling in Costa Rica. Underneath the calm water, there is a cacophony of colour waiting for you. Look out for incredible tropical fish, spindly, fluorescent lobsters and starfish hiding among the rocks. Find endangered hawksbill, green turtles and nurse sharks too, which have thrived in this natural habitat thanks to Cahuita National Park’s ‘no-take’ zone. The best time of year to snorkel in Cahuita National Park is March, April, early May, August, September and October, the rest of the time the visibility can be poor.
Manuel Antonio
Best for: Those after a casual snorkelling experience, who don’t want to spend an entire day at sea.
Where to stay: Stay at the most comfortable base for exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, the eco-forward Arenas del Mar.
In the south of Costa Rica is Manuel Antonio National Park, near Quepos. Thought to be one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in Central America, the park towers over several beaches, including Playa Manuel Antonio. Fringed by a rainforest where sloths and monkeys swing from the trees, the beach is one of the most accessible places for snorkelling in Costa Rica. You can dive in straight from the beach, which is a 20-minute walk from the park’s entrance. Visitors are limited to 600-800 per day, so it’s worth arriving early. The waters are calm but can lose visibility when it rains. When it’s clear, the shallow rocky beds are filled with colourful fish including:
- Yellowfin surgeonfish
- Cortez rainbow wrasse
- Pufferfish
- Butterflyfish
- Angelfish
Papagayo
Best for: Mixed-ability swimmers due to the choice of shallow waters or heading out further. Papagayo is a popular place for honeymooners who will enjoy travelling out to the secluded spots, while families will prefer hovering near the shore just off the beach.
Where to stay: Opt for the hip and trendy El Mangroove, a stylish yet casual beach resort.
Located in Guanacaste province in the northwest of Costa Rica, the exclusive Peninsula Papagayo – a private sweep of nature-rich coastline that’s home to a collection of luxury hotels – has over 31 islets and coves in total. While you will see plenty just off the coast, the best snorkelling in Papagayo happens further out by the secluded beaches. A boat trip out with a guide will take you in search of dolphins, turtles, reef sharks, sting rays and humpback whales with their calves (July to November). These tranquil waters are in the driest part of Costa Rica, making the visibility better than in other areas.
Manzanillo Beach
Best for: Nature lovers will get a kick out of Manzanillo Beach since you get a combo of ocean and jungle wildlife.
Where to stay: Stay on one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated surf beaches at the beachfront resort Nantipa.
Nestled on the Pacific coast, Manzanillo has a charm that goes beyond its white sandy beaches surrounded by coconut palms and almond trees. This charming fishing village is part of the protected Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, where private initiatives work together to preserve its splendour. The area boasts a five-mile stretch of beach with white sand and a visible reef making it one of the top snorkelling beaches.
The protected waters cover two miles and are teeming with coral reefs that extend from the shore to depths of 600 feet. Hidden among the hills, you'll find a thriving rainforest and one of the best-preserved mangrove swamps in the Atlantic region. This unique ecosystem provides a haven for manatees, naturally occurring mangrove oysters, and various species of sea turtles such as leatherback, green, hawksbill, and loggerhead. With our experts' guidance from locals, Manzanillo Beach offers an opportunity to witness Costa Rica's dedication to conservation at its best.
Isla del Caño
Best for: Nature enthusiasts and eco-warriors, particularly teens and adults who are happy to venture out on the water all day.
As with Golfo Dulce, Isla del Caño is part of the protected Osa Conservation Area and is just northeast of the Corcovado National Park. The conservation status has allowed the waters around the island to develop one of the most extensive and healthiest coral formations on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Beneath the ocean, the seabed is decorated with beautiful reefs, where turtles swim and seahorses play, and it’s become a breeding ground for humpback whales between July and October. Some of the best snorkelling in Costa Rica is found here, particularly for sighting larger sea creatures. The island is reached by boat (1-2 hours from Corcovado National Park) and limits the number of visitors it allows, making it even more sublime when you’re there.
Costa Rica Snorkelling Tours
For ocean lovers, there could be nothing more magical than adding a Costa Rica snorkelling tour to your trip. Discovering the vast array of animals darting and diving under the water, amongst the colourful coral, is a captivating way to see wildlife in its natural habitat. For inspiration on where to start planning your Costa Rica holiday, browse our example itineraries below:
