An immersion into the natural world under the sea.

“Venture across the cove to multiple different sites, drop anchor or beach the kayaks, and then snorkel along the reefs.”

On the coast of Guanacaste, exploring some of the world’s most vibrant underwater habitats is often as easy as stepping in the water with a mask and snorkel or on board a kayak. From Las Catalinas, it’s even easier, with access to two snorkel sites full of aquatic life on either end of Playa Danta, and two more within a short paddle.

Explore them all on the Kayak and Snorkel Tour from Pura Vida Ride.

Finding Aquatic Life in Costa Rica

The waters of the bay around Las Catalinas are calm, welcoming, warm and clear. There is a natural protection from strong offshore waves and wind thanks to Punta Guachipelines and Punta Penca, as well as the additional shelter of the Islotes Pitahayas.

The bay also has access to open ocean to welcome larger fish and deep water currents that move past the area and provide nutrients. A number of volcanic rock reefs in the area provide a place for life to take hold in the bay, creating a rich ecosystem that offers different experiences to the snorkeler and kayak rider.

The bay hosts many sites to explore for snorkeling ventures. Punta Penca, on the south end of Playa Danta, is an ideal spot to encounter nudibranchs, sponges, and other colorful invertebrates. The rock reef between Playa Danta and Dantita is an area which provides a blend of the smaller reef fish that live among the rocks and the swift schools of larger fish moving by through the flats. Snorkelers encounter schools of large jacks and sergeant majors, parrot fish, plentiful rays, and sea turtles on the north end of Playa Dantita. Finally, Playa de Amor (love beach) is  a loving, charming cove where a mixture of all the fish can be found by snorkelers. 

The Kayak and Snorkel Tour

After some instruction on safety and communication, these guided trips set out from the beach in front of Pura Vida Ride in kayaks, to venture across the cove to multiple different sites, drop anchor or beach the kayaks, and then snorkel along the reefs. 

Along the way, the guide helps find high-activity areas based on tides, wind, and currents, and then dive to point out fish and other marine life.

Trips that stay within the bay average around 2 hours, while the trip to Playa de Amor is enjoyed for around 3 hours. Both offer a chance to see the coast of Guanacaste from the water, paddle-up access to beaches and snorkeling.