Combo Tour II:
Caño Island & Estero Azul Mangrove Wildlife Tour
in ONE day
This tour combines two of our most popular tours into one day. You’ll visit Caño Island Biological Reserve for snorkeling and observing marine life, a remote beach only accessible by boat for picnic lunch and tour the well know Estero Azul canal looking for all kinds of wildlife such as 3 species of monkey, scarlet macaws, owls, toucans, iguanas and lizards, anteaters, bats, snakes, tons of herons, wetland birds and song birds, caimans and crocodiles and more! The abundance of wildlife always amazes us!
As always with our tours, we offer homemade lunches you order ahead of time from a menu and the option to also include breakfast (also pre ordered from a menu complete with coffee or tea and fresh juice, $13 extra pp).
Anything else you need, just let us know. We will do our best to accommodate you.
¡Pura Vida!
About Caño Island: Twelve nautical miles off the coast from Drake Bay, Cano Island is a playground for divers and snorkelers alike. Beneath the crystal blue waters, you can see a variety of marine life including: sea turtles, large schools of fish, reef sharks, manta rays, eels and numerous tropical fish including king angle fish, puffer fish, Moorish idles, surgeon fish, barracuda (in HUGE schools), barber fish, damsels, parrotfish, a variety of eels and much more.
Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, guests are not allowed on Caño Island (the land part) at this time.
The calm waters surrounding the island are also a breeding ground for humpback whales and home to resident and migratory pods of dolphins (Killer whales, pilot whales, sei whales and beaked whales, bottlenose, spinner, rough-tooth, rhissos and spotted dolphins). During the months of the whale migrations (December to April (northern migration) and July to November (southern migration)) you may be lucky enough to spot humpback whales or dolphins frolicking in the ocean on your way to the Island!
THE TRAIL IS CURRENTLY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!
There is a hiking trail on Caño island which will take you to a pre-Colombian archaeological site if you feel like taking a break form the water. Artifacts such as perfectly round stone spheres remain near ceremonial and burial sites from the indigenous Diquis tribe who inhabited the Golfo Dulce area until the arrival of the Spanish.
Diving: Diving is not available on the combo tour due to lack of time unless you are willing to forego a long lunch break on the beach.
What's Included?
Round-trip boat transportation from Sierpe (private boat, guide and captain)
Entrance fees
Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, and fins) and at least 2 snorkeling opportunities or diving gear (2 dive immersions)
Bilingual certified naturalist guide
Homemade Picnic Lunch - order from a menu ahead of time (we can accommodate most diet requests). Breakfast menu also available at additional cost of $11pp
Ready to Book? Inquire for more info! Please send us an email!
Schedule: This Combo Tour departs from Sierpe at your desired time between 6:00 and 9am. We recommend an early start to fit it all in! Return to Sierpe depends on how long you stay at the beach and what time you start the wildlife canal tour, but plan on around 5-6pm.
We can coordinate transportation (additional cost) from Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita or Ojochal. Please inquire with us for pricing.
Rough Itinerary:
Depart Sierpe and travel 45 minutes thru the calm river and canals of the Sierpe Terraba Wetland reserve and then out into the ocean, and then another 45 minutes to 1 hour to Caño Island, depending on the ocean (stopping along the way if dolphins whales or turtles are spotted).
Snorkel at Island (snorkel as long as you want). Brilliant tropical fish shimmer about the rock formations as you near the island, as if to welcome your arrival to this sacred area. You can take a break on the island (NO bathrooms or picnicking allowed) or hike the trail with your guide. You may choose to snorkel once again at a slightly different spot. Then once you are done...
Head to one of two remote beaches: either a mainland island beach ('Caletas de Isla Violin') or Playa Blanca at the Sierpe River mouth for picnic lunch (included), afternoon swimming and hiking. Restrooms are available at both locations.
At your desire, make your way back to Sierpe by winding through the heart of the mangrove forest. We can stop for quick bathroom break (or beverage stop) in Sierpe before going on the Estero Azul Wildlife Canal Tour. Return ends up being anytime after 4pm. It's up to you.
What to Wear:
Bathing suit, flip flops or water shoes, sunscreen already applied in the morning
What to Bring:
Reef Friendly Sunscreen (PLEASE wear a long sleeve shirt instead because the chemicals in sunscreen damage coral and other sensitive marine life. If you must use it, please apply it ONE hour before swimming so that it is well absorbed into your skin), rain gear (poncho or jacket for the boat), waterproof bag for cell phones and cameras - ALWAYS be prepared for rain - hat, sunglasses, bathing suit, towel, sea-sickness medicine, LOTS of water, camera (with protective plastic bag), flip flops, sandals or water shoes, light hiking shoes if you plan to hike the trail and anything else you might need for your free time at the beach (book, magazine, travel hammock etc.).
What to Expect:
A 2hr boat ride (45min in the calm river, 15 minutes entering the ocean, about 1 hr or less to Caño Island)
To snorkel at 1 or 2 different locations until you are done.
Visibility can vary from day to the next.
A wet landing on the beach at the lunch spot (barefoot OK, but sand can be HOT in the afternoon so flip flops are recommended)
Possibility of rain (this IS the RAINforest), Always be prepared for rain
Homemade Picnic lunch free of single use plastic
Professional service from start to finish (boat, captain, guides and lunches)
Eco Tips ~ Caño Island:
It is a biological reserve! Please respect the law and do not collect or take anything from the island, including shells. Please take home with you what you bring including all trash and plastic bottles. Leave only footprints and take nothing but pictures.
Do not touch any coral or marine life.
Please keep your distance from underwater rock and coral formations. They are very delicate.
You must have a life vest with you at all times when snorkeling even if it's just attached to your wrist.
Reserve Now!
