Marlin Del Rey Day Sail, Lunch

Overview

The Marlin del Rey is a large sailing catamaran that runs a half-day cruise out of the Tamarindo area, timed to finish as the sun goes down. The whole outing runs about 4.5 hours. Boarding starts with a short ride from the beach in a small motor boat out to the catamaran itself, which sits offshore; from there you find a spot on deck and settle in for a long sail along the coast.

The boat makes one main stop, usually a cove or a secluded sand beach reachable from the water. Travellers can swim ashore, float, or snorkel; some sailings hand out gear, so check the included list on the live booking page. Reviewers describe this stop as lasting roughly 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the day, and several note that conditions vary: some saw cool fish, while others found the water too churned up to see much.

Back on board, the crew serves a cooked lunch, often grilled chicken with rice and beans plus snacks, and the open bar runs for the rest of the trip. The return leg doubles as a sunset sail. With a capacity of up to 75 passengers, this is a group outing rather than a private charter, and it suits families, couples and anyone who wants an easy day on the water with food and drinks handled.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the beachMake your own way to the departure point on the shore near Tamarindo. Hotel pickup and ground transportation are not included.
2. Transfer by motor boatReviewers describe a quick boat ride from the beach out to the catamaran waiting offshore.
3. Sail along the coastThe catamaran cruises the coastline toward its anchorage. One reviewer said guides pointed out wildlife as the boat went.
4. Swim and snorkel stopThe boat anchors at a cove or beach. You can swim to shore, float, or snorkel with provided gear.
5. Lunch on boardThe crew serves a cooked lunch with snacks. Alcoholic drinks and an open bar are included throughout.
6. Sunset sail backThe return leg is timed so passengers watch the sunset from the deck before the transfer back to shore.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things shape how this day goes, from what the crew hands out to how much shade there is.

• Getting there. Hotel pickup and ground transportation are not included, so you arrange your own way to the meeting point on the beach. Confirmation is sent at the time of booking.
• Bring sun protection. You will be on open deck for hours, and the covered bar area seats only about a third of the group at a time, according to one traveller.
• Group feel. The boat takes up to 75 passengers, and reviewers say it can feel like a crowd when full. Others found plenty of space to pick a spot and noted the boat feels better when not full.
• Food and drink. Lunch, snacks and an unlimited open bar with alcoholic beverages are all included. Reviews of the food are mixed, with grilled chicken, rice and beans mentioned specifically, and several travellers calling the meal good, so there is no need to bring your own.
• Snorkel realism. Snorkeling gear is provided, but reviews are mixed on visibility. Some saw cool fish in the water; others found the water too stirred up to see anything. Treat the swim stop as the main draw and the snorkeling as a bonus.
• Weather dependence. The experience requires good weather, and the listing states that a weather cancellation gets you a different date or a full refund.

Common issues. Snorkeling is the most consistent complaint: some passengers say the water is too churned to see much, and one reviewer reported the boat running out of snorkel gear for everyone. The outing is also mostly sitting and sailing rather than constant activity, with one traveller describing long stretches on board. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are allowed, and the listing caps the trip at 75 travellers. A full refund requires cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time.

Common Questions