Dominical Surf and Dive Snorkel trips to Cano Island
Highlights
- Certified dive instructors
- Whale and dolphin watching
- Light lunch and snacks included
- Two snorkeling locations
Facts
- Time length : 6:45 a.m.- 4 p.m.
- Hours : 6:45 a.m.
- Price : $130 per person
- Location : Cano Island (pick-up in Dominical)
The water's surface ripples like the reflection on the windshield of a car speeding down an open highway. The ocean off the Pacific coast of Uvita melts into cerulean. Occasional waves catch pockets of sunlight while the boat picks up speed en route to Cano Island, a protected national park known for its sublime beaches and marine wildlife including manta rays, Olive Ridley sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks and a rainbow palette of tropical fish.
read more closeDominical Surf and Dive offers daily snorkeling and diving trips to Cano Island. The all-day tour picks up from the dive shop in Dominical and transports guests to and from Cano Island for snorkeling adventures around the shallow waters off the coast of Cano Island.
Dolphin and whale watching
Dolphins break the surface tension of the ocean mirror to coast alongside the boat and play in its wakes. In the distance, male humpback whales make romantic displays to their prospective girlfriends breaching the surface and sticking their tails out of the water to dive deep while mothers with their calves rocket seawater into the air from their blowholes as they come up for air.
And that's before you even get to Cano Island. While it's not a sure thing that you'll see whales and dolphins, it's very common especially during July to November and December to March when humpbacks visit their birthing grounds around Ballena National Marine Park. If you happen to cross paths with any of these aquatic mammals en route to the island, the boat will divert course to watch them.
Snorkeling Cano Island
The hour boat ride out to the island is something of a tease. The enormity of the ocean impressed upon you with no way to tell what's on the other side. The only clues left to the whales and dolphins that emerge from the aethers to disappear just as suddenly. With curiosity peaked, you strap on goggles, snorkel and life vest then jump into the water.
Staring down through the clear blue glass water feels voyeuristic, like smashing your face up against an aquarium window. Minnows and yellow/black striped sergeant major fish swim right up to your mask. Beneath you, fish straddle and wriggle colorful rock and coral outcroppings. Dazzlingly colorful parrot fish parole the bottom while butterfly fish swim beneath the shade of the rocks. Every once in a while you may catch the shimmering flash from of a large blue jack speeding past.
You'll explore two different areas varying in depth from just a few feet to 15 or 20 with a break to enjoy the Cano Island beach in-between excursions. Ordinarily, larger sea life like manta rays, sharks and sea turtles, hide in the depths accessible only to divers, but the tropical fish and the chance to see an array of marine life in the clear, waters are spectacular on their own.
Departure & Return
- Departure point : Tour departs from all major hotels and rental homes in low lands along Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal and other coastal towns along the southern Pacific
- Return details : Tour returns to original departure point between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Departure time : Hotel pickup is between 20 and 120 minutes before tour start time depending on hotel location.