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Playa Samara Tours
Ocean Kayak and Snorkeling to Chora Island
5

Ocean Kayak and Snorkeling to Chora Island

By Book with Maria
Recommended by 96% of travellers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 5-80, max of 15 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More


  • Water and Fruits
  • Use of Snorkelling equipment


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • We offer pick up and drop off transportation for all the hotels in Sámara and Puerto Carrillo town. If you are in a house in the area, just send us the location. We can also meet you in our office: Book with Maria (across The St from Roots Bakery, Main Rd, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50205).
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      Additional pickup options
      During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included pickup points.
      • Book with María, Across The St from Roots Bakery, Main Rd, Provincia de Guanacaste, Sámara, 50205, Costa Rica
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 116992P5

        • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
        • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
        • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
        • Most travellers can participate
        • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 116992P5

        From
        £52.52
        per adult
        Select date and travellers
        Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

        Similar experiences

        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Book with Maria
          233
          Playa Samara, Costa Rica
          Joined in December 2018
        • kristinhK6552XK
          0 contributions
          1.0 of 5 bubbles
          Lackluster
          We were so excited to go snorkeling, but once we arrived and were on the boat, we were informed the snorkeling wouldn’t be worth it due to the overcast nature of the day. We proceeded to go out a few miles in the water and try and spot dolphins. We saw a few fins, then after 2.5hrs of searching for things to see, we headed back. They said we could snorkel if we wanted. The entire boat didn’t want to at that point, but we had to stay in the boat until the tour time ended. We sat in a rainy cold rocky boat for about 30 minutes waiting to be released back to land like hostages. This entire tour should have simply been cancelled due to inclement weather.
          Written 30 December 2024
        • D5180QGnataliew
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing Whale Watching tour - not snorkeling so much
          Not what I expected, but amazing! Saw many whales, many dolphins, got to swim to an island when we stopped nearby. If you do want to go to the island, realize it’s rough water, and is a fairly tough swim for an experienced swimmer with fins. Snorkeling is not encouraged, as the sea is rough and the viability is low. Everyone involved were very nice and curated a magical experience that respected the wildlife amid a beautiful environment. The beach where they launch from is incredible. Definitely bring your own water and use the bathroom beforehand. If you get seasick, take meds beforehand. It’s a fast boat. Clientele is very international, and many were highly entitled, so please be nice to the staff. It’s a family business. Loved it.
          Written 26 December 2024
        • 893teresap
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Sunset cruise
          Well organised and a great crew. Would highly recommend. Lucky enough to sea dolphins and a whale. A lovely evening and a great way to see the sunset
          Written 19 December 2024
        • R1406HAjonasm
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          What an adventure!
          So good! We saw one turtle bedring and had a really good guide. The comunication with this company was also really smooth.
          Written 17 October 2024
        • Departure37942866231
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Seen dolphins, whales and turtles. Tour operators got us close for great pics
          This trip was great ! I prepaid so I didn't need to take make with me nor my passport. So that was 2 less things to worry about . I took a waterproof camera but didn't need it you may get a mist of water but that's it. We seen turtles mating, dolphins and whales all 3. Tour guide got us close to them before they swam away. Only downfall was the water was to murky to snorkel. But the tour operators and trip itself exceeded all expectations
          Written 3 September 2024
        • Ivy K
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Concierge Level Vacation Planning
          I cannot recommend Maria highly enough! She provided true concierge level service for our vacation. We did a turtle nesting, zip lining, day trip to La Fortuna, and horseback riding and they were all perfect. Each experience was so fun and really exceeded my expectations. We had a private family experience with each one making it even better as we were not being herded in large tour groups and were able to go at our own pace and truly enjoy it all! Additionally, she arranged private transportation to and from the airport and met us at the AirBNB on arrival. She attended to every question and request quickly prior to the trip as well as during our vacation. Maria arranged private excursions and we received total white glove service. Her communication was always so efficient and she is truly a Costa Rica expert! Book with her and I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!
          Written 11 August 2024
        • jenster317
          0 contributions
          3.0 of 5 bubbles
          Good half of a trip, snorkeling fail
          The dolphin tour was great, saw a bunch of them along with some babies and a sea turtle. I booked this tour mainly because it was the only one I could find that offered snorkeling and due to the weather we didn’t even get to snorkel at all, we went back to the boat area for a short swim. Giving 3 stars due to not getting to do the only part of the tour I actually cared about and the only thing done as a instead of snorkeling was a short swim by a bunch of boats.
          Written 28 May 2024
        • larryhK9831BB
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great experience
          Costa Rica is spectacular. We were fortunate to be able to kayak on a river that had an abundance of birds, fauna and numerous types of trees. Our guide, Marlong, did a wonderful job of pointing out the different varieties and their special features which helped them survive. We kayaked at a leisurely pace and took a break at a turtle nesting area. This was not the season for nesting, but we could appreciate the conservationist who come each year to protect the nests.
          Written 25 April 2024
        • E7534KIlaurae
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Definitely recommend - dolphins, turtles and humpbacks!
          One of my favourite days in Costa Rica. Great way to meet other people and spend a day on the water. Tour guides were really knowledgable and friendly. We were so lucky to see three different types of dolphins, as well as turtles and humpback whales! They did everything they could to try and locate the animals. Would recommend
          Written 10 March 2024
        • carolinemZ8990TZ
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Amazing horse ride !
          Book with Maria was so easy and fast to work with to set up this great horse riding trip . I was so thankful to be with the guide Rene Sanchez of Horses Paradise - he takes good care of his horses and was a responsible /safety first guide . He provided lots of information about the jungle plants and animals. Loved every minute of the ride.
          Written 3 March 2024
        • N8737SEsusanm
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Dolphins, Whales and More
          This was our second Dolphin tour in Costa Rica. It was very good. We saw spotted and bottle nosed dolphins, a sea turtle and the best was a humpback whale and her baby. This is a wildlife tour, so the wildlife leads the way. The crew worked hard to get us to the sightings. My only negative comment was the loud rock music that was played was unnecessary.
          Written 2 March 2024
        • R M
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Dolphins in Samara
          After a slow start to the day, I got re organised and booked on a boat that took us to the most fantastic place where we saw dolphins, 50/60 of them. Just SO lucky and grateful! Then we snorkelled around the coral reef. What a great trip Guides were friendly and refreshments were onboard too. Thank you octopus tours 🙏🏼
          Written 24 February 2024
        • L0reneT
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Book with Maria is great,
          Book with Maria was great, Lili was so helpful…pleasant, informative and helpful. I would definitely use Book with Maria again.
          Written 20 February 2024
        • Stephanie T
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Worth it!
          What a great experience! Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the ocean life. Had a bonus experience of seeing two humpback whales! I was expecting to see more colorful fish and interesting coral when snorkeling but the area we went to was pretty but nothing to see.
          Written 29 January 2024
        • kathytB2086MN
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          It was a great experience
          It was my first time Kayaking and it was wonderful. Our guide did a great job explaining the different animals and trees in the Mangrove! A great experience!
          Written 24 January 2024
        See all 233 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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        5.0
        5.0 of 5 bubbles29 reviews
        Excellent
        26
        Very good
        2
        Average
        0
        Poor
        1
        Terrible
        0

        These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
        This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

        NicoleJeanMartz
        Mississippi Gulf Coast, MS3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Dec 2019
        We booked this trip online and instantly began receiving communication from the tour operator of Blue Zone CR. I was immediately impressed. Having never been to Costa Rica before, I was nervous about how things would pan out and if it would be what the pictures online showed or what I imagined. It was that and more. We were communicated to in advance and even the morning of to ensure we were able to find our way to the meeting location. We parked in the central area and arrived about an hour early so we were able to explore. Had lunch on the beach before our adventure. We were informed who our Tour guide was going to be and everyone was so nice! We met Stephen, our guide and embarked on the small drive to the location of the beach where the kayaks were. There were a few other larger tour groups happening too but we lucked upon essentially a private tour. We first received a safety review and then got in the kayaks to paddle to the island. it was such a beautiful day. after arriving on the island we got to explore before learning more about the island. Stephen, our guide, was so knowledgeable and friendly. He was helping out the other tours as well. We then went snorkeling for a little and he showed us all of the different fish and reefs around. After snorkeling we were treated to a delicious snack of a fresh pineapple and water/juice. Then we were able to explore some more before kayaking back to the island AT SUNSET! It was the perfect time for a tour.
        Everything was so wonderful and we can't wait to go back!
        Written 11 January 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Andrew s
        5 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mar 2024 • Couples
        We kayaked to Ilsa Choro in the bay of Samara on a beautiful day with clear skies but some wind and slightly rough swells. We swam and snorkeled off the island for about an hour before wandering around the island a little while to see large iguanas. The crew served up a lovely snack of fresh pineapple and watermelon before we kayaked back to the mainland. The staff were very friendly, fun and professional. They were also well-informed and competent, so that some of the kayakers with less experience felt more confident. If I had more time, I would definitely go on another tour with them, probably the sunset boat cruise.
        Written 21 March 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Hola! Thank you so much for your kind review! It means a lot to us. We would be really happy to have you back whenever you have the chance! Keep supporting local! :)
        Written 14 April 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Stacie A
        15 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Maria is wonderful to work with! She was able to setup an excursion for our family to kayak and then snorkel to the island. Luis our guide was just as wonderful! We loved the fact that it was just our party of 6. Luis was great in making sure we were safe and all knew what to do and expect when kayaking out and back in. He shared tidbits about the island and also Costa Rica. We were out of season to see much wildlife on the island and the water was a bit murky, but that was expected and we simply enjoyed the activity and guidance of Luis. He helped locate fish as we snorkeled. We also saw some Black Brittle Starfish, lots of hermit crabs, crabs, and sea slugs as we explored the island. We would definitely recommend for a fun activity to kayak and explore!
        Written 30 June 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Lizzi G
        Martinez, CA12 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Feb 2020
        We enjoyed our snorkeling and kayaking trip very much. The crew was great. Very friendly and helpful. Kayaking to the island was fun. Unfortunately we went on a pretty windy day and visibility for snorkeling wasn’t great. Even so, we’d go again with John, Steve and the rest of the crew in a heartbeat.
        Written 22 February 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Karen B
        1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Nov 2024 • Family
        This was a fun kayak trip which we would highly recommend. Javier was a helpful guide who instructed us on kayaking and snorkeling techniques and shared interesting details about the island and sea life. Departure time depends on the tides, so ours was an early one but the weather and views were amazing so it was worth the early start!
        Written 3 December 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Hola! We truly appreciate your kind review. We’re so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time! It makes us really happy to know that even the early departure didn’t stop you from enjoying the experience. Pura vida. :)
        Written 4 December 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Mel N
        16 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Our guide, Luis, was excellent. Not only did we visit Chora island (our main objective) but we kayaked into the nearby reef where the snorkelling was brilliant 1000’s of fish, including puffer fish, eels. If you are in the area track down Luis Ramirez of Tico Experience 👍👍
        Written 25 November 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Uwe T
        2 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        All in all rather unexciting the excursion. But it wasn’t the guide Brandon and his partner Jonathan who both went to great lengths to get the best out of it. Paddle path was as described, the island itself actually unspectacular with the animals described. Snorkeling difficult because water is very cloudy and stirred up by sand. It's nobody's fault that the weather was bad the days before. In good weather possibly a great experience. Brandon and Jonathan really open and friendly, Jonathan caught fish in between and was really happy 😉
        Automatically translated
        Written 25 November 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Hola! Thank you for your feedback. Unfortunately, as you mentioned, the weather is beyond anyone's control. We hope you'll be able to join us again in the future when the weather is better, so you can fully enjoy the experience. :)
        Written 4 December 2024
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Dave H
        1 contribution
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2022 • Couples
        Great trip. We worried perhaps it might be too strenuous for older folks but it was a piece of cake. Our guide Luis took great care of us meeting us at our hotel and making sure we got to snorkel a bit near the island. Overall great experience. We booked through Maria and she kept in touch with us to make sure all went well. If In Samara, I highly recommend booking through Maria and visiting the Island.
        Written 20 January 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Maya
        San Francisco, California64 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2023
        Super easy to book online and nice to have an online payment option too!

        Snorkel trip was lovely - pick up service was right on time and was a small group of 6 of us. Kayak trip was easy - not too many waves getting in and out on either side. The island had lots of shade for lounging and snorkeling was very nice. We swam by a huge sea turtle, a fair amount of fish, and an electric blue star fish.

        Nice to have the drinks and fruit on the island. Friendly guide!
        Written 31 January 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Hola Maya! We're so happy to know you enjoyed your trip, you even got to see turtles! Thank you leaving a review, we hope to see you back again soon. Pura vida! :)
        Written 3 February 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Vendeebob
        London, UK120 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Excellent fun. Louis was great and snorkelling on reef wonderful. Fruit and drinks on Island were nice, but there isn’t much to do or see on Chora apart from a few monkeys - so more swimming. well worth it tho
        Written 21 January 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Showing results 1-10 of 26
        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        Ocean Kayak and Snorkeling to Chora Island provided by Book with Maria

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