Blue Dolphin Sunset Snorkel Cruise

Overview

The Blue Dolphin is a 5 hour catamaran trip out of Tamarindo run by Native's Way Costa Rica, and it follows a familiar arc: board at the beach near El Chiringuito Restaurant at Playa Langosta, motor out along the coast, drop anchor for swimming and snorkeling, eat lunch on board with an open bar, then ride back as the sun goes down. Snorkel gear and kayaks are included, so the water stop is the main activity of the day rather than a quick dip.

Food and drink get consistent praise. Lunch, tropical fruit cocktails, wine, beer, soda and water are all covered by the ticket, taxes and fees included, and reviewers repeatedly single out the crew for keeping glasses full. Wildlife shows up for some groups: travellers have described whales seen from the boat on the ride home and monkeys seen after swimming ashore.

It is a group outing, capped at 35 travellers, with music playing and a sociable, party-leaning atmosphere, and reviewers describe a wide mix of ages on board. It is also self-drive: you make your own way to the meeting point, and the boat is not wheelchair accessible. Gratuities and hotel transport are not in the price, though pickup can be arranged for an additional fee.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at El ChiringuitoThis is a self-drive activity. Arrive at the beach by El Chiringuito Restaurant at Playa Langosta by 12:45 pm.
2. Pass Playa LangostaThe catamaran passes by the Langosta stretch of coast, listed as a passing or short stop.
3. Sail and anchor at Tamarindo BeachThe main stretch of the trip is spent at Tamarindo Beach, with admission included, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking from the anchored boat.
4. Lunch and open barBack on board, lunch is served along with an open bar of fruit cocktails, wine, beer, soda and water.
5. Return to El ChiringuitoThe trip ends at the same beach where it started, at the meeting point by El Chiringuito.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day more than the brochure suggests.

• Getting there. Transport is on you. The meeting point is the beach at El Chiringuito Restaurant at Playa Langosta, and you need to be there by 12:45 pm. Hotel pickup can be arranged for an additional fee, and travellers coming from Playa Grande, Flamingo, Potrero, the RIU hotels or the Papagayo area should budget for a drive.
• Swim access. You swim from the anchored boat in open water, not from a beach landing. Several reviewers describe jumping off the side or climbing down a metal ladder, and some passengers chose to stay aboard. Being comfortable in deep water, or happy to stay on the nets with a drink, matters here.
• What to bring. Snorkel and kayak gear is provided. Wind and waves feature in several accounts, so a light layer is sensible. Deck surfaces get wet, and more than one reviewer noted the boat is slippery, so take care when moving around.
• Group feel. The cap is 35 travellers and the vibe is a party-leaning cruise with music and an open bar. Reviews vary on how busy it feels, with some finding it crowded and harder to move around on. It skews social rather than quiet.
• Food and drink. Lunch and the open bar are included, and reviewers repeatedly praise both. Crew circulate asking if you want a refill.
• Weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and conditions change the trip: reviewers describe wavy, windy days that affected the swimming. The operator offers a different date or a full refund if weather cancels the sail. On clear days, whales and a strong sunset have been part of the ride home.

Common issues. The honest gripes cluster around crowds and logistics. With up to 35 travellers, some reviewers found the boat tight and hard to move around on, one described a long wait to load and get underway, and the on-board bathroom is small. One reviewer reported that the sails were not raised on their trip. Getting into the water means jumping off the side or using a steep ladder, which put a few passengers off, and one reviewer flagged wet, slippery decks. Transport to the meeting point is not included, and gratuities are extra.

Common Questions