Water sports

Match the activity to the place

You can kayak a quiet inlet, snorkel over a reef, paddle a mangrove channel, look for dolphins offshore or take a small boat to a surf break far from the road. The ocean isn't a supervised pool, though. The best water sport is the one that fits the place, the weather, your skill and the right guide.

Snorkeling

Visibility changes with rain, swell, tide and current, and Guanacaste's sheltered bays are a different experience from the more open coast near Quepos or Uvita. Pick tours that explain how the captain chooses a safe stop and whether flotation is available. Snorkeling isn't scuba: diving needs training, different gear and sometimes park permits. Our guides to snorkeling and scuba diving cover where and when.

Kayaking and mangroves

A calm estuary paddle can turn up herons, kingfishers and crabs among the mangrove roots. Near Quepos, the Damas mangroves are a world away from an offshore sail; Iguana Tours runs a guided mangrove trip as well as its catamaran. On the Caribbean side, Tortuguero's canals are a big draw, with park rules on boats and wildlife. Start with our kayaking guide and paddleboarding guide.

Surf by boat

Some breaks are easier to reach by boat, but a boat ride to a surf spot isn't a beginner lesson. Know your level and the conditions, and ask how pickup works. Beginners and nervous swimmers often enjoy a calm, guided nature trip more. Our surfing guide has the basics.

Check where it starts

Many companies sell in beach towns but launch from another marina, dock or river landing. Ask for the real boarding point, transport and weather policy, and make sure the guide is qualified for the activity. For prices and bookings, follow the operator's official link.