In this series of posts, we answer common Costa Rica travel questions. Today, we’ll talk about snorkel spots near Manuel Antonio and Jaco. We’ll cover what beaches are good for snorkeling, typical conditions, tours that include snorkeling, and the availability of snorkel equipment.
Question
“Our family will be visiting Costa Rica from July 3-11, staying in Parrita on the Pacific side. We’re wondering if there are any good snorkeling spots near Manuel Antonio or Jaco Beach. We’ve heard snorkeling inside Manuel Antonio National Park might be possible and that snorkeling at Playa Biesanz is good. Is that true?
Would you recommend going through a company to go snorkeling or is it feasible to buy/rent our own gear and go on our own?”
Answer
Snorkel Conditions
We love snorkeling and have tried it in many places all over Costa Rica. While sometimes conditions can be awesome, overall, don’t expect the snorkeling in Costa Rica to be on par with some of the famous spots like Belize or the Caribbean islands.
You can usually see some cool fish but in general, it is hit or miss. July is the rainy season so depending on recent rains, runoff can make the water a bit cloudy if you are going right from the beach. You should still see some fish and coral but be patient. We’ll also include some ideas below that will get you out to better snorkel spots on a tour.
Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park and Playa Biesanz are two decent options for snorkeling in Manuel Antonio.
If you are planning to visit Manuel Antonio National Park anyway, you can bring a bathing suit and mask with you. There is a snorkeling spot at the main beach in the park (cove closest to the changing rooms/bathrooms). We’ve seen some nice fish near the rocks (left side looking out at the ocean).
There was also an interesting old fish trap out in the middle of the cove of that same beach. Story has it that it was made by the indigenous group that used to live there.
Playa Biesanz is another calmer cove for snorkeling. At mid-or-low tide, you have good access to the rocks/coral on the left/southern edge of the beach. This is the same cove that many of the catamaran tours bring you to snorkel, but they anchor farther out. When we have tried snorkeling here, we haven’t had great conditions, but it depends.
Snorkeling Near Jaco
From Parrita where you are staying, you also could travel north to find snorkeling closer to Jaco.
In Esterillos Oeste, there are some huge rock formations and big tide pools on the northern end of the beach that can be okay at mid-tide. We’ve seen cool fish, lobsters, and sea cucumbers. If the water is cloudy, though, you won’t see much.
If you drive a little north of Jaco, you can go to Playa Mantas and Playa Blanca. When conditions are calmer, Playa Blanca can have awesome snorkeling. A non-profit called Mareblu has a coral restoration project with artificial reefs there. Tons of fish congregate around them. You may even see our Two Weeks in Costa Rica donor plaque on one of those reefs, if it’s not covered by barnacles yet.
In the same spot is an underwater museum with statues of mermaids, sea turtles, fish, etc. They are all becoming slowly covered by corals, attracting small reef fish.
Snorkel Gear Availability
If you plan to snorkel right from the beach, we’d recommend bringing your own snorkel gear. You also can find simple Intex masks and snorkel sets at some variety stores or grocery stores.
We have seen snorkel equipment for rent in a few places, but it is hit or miss. Last time we were at Playa Biesanz, a vendor was renting some but nothing at the other beaches mentioned above.
Snorkel Tours
Another option is to do snorkeling as part of a tour.
The catamaran tours from Manuel Antonio like the Ocean King and Sunset Sails include about an hour to swim and snorkel. The Brisa Elegante sailboat does too.
If you want more serious snorkeling or diving, we’d recommend driving south of Manuel Antonio to Uvita (about 1.5 hours) to catch a tour to Cano Island.
That island is far offshore so the water usually stays clear. There are enormous schools of fish, and you can usually see dolphins or whales on the way out. We have even snorkeled alongside a sea turtle and seen a white-tipped reef shark while snorkeling at Cano Island.
From Jaco/Herradura, there is another full day boat tour out to a different island called Isla Tortuga. The catamaran parks on the beach for the day. You can enjoy the white-sand beach on the island and have lunch and drinks out there. They include a chance to snorkel around a large rock outcropping with a nice variety of fish.
Looking for more information to help you plan your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these posts:
Jaco Beaches: Where to Swim, Surf, and Just Relax – This post covers all the beach options near Jaco.
Manuel Antonio Activity Guide – Besides snorkeling, there are tons of other amazing activities in the Manuel Antonio area. Check out our list to narrow it down.
Manuel Antonio Restaurant Guide – After a few hours of snorkeling, you’ll be ready for lunch or dinner at one of these tasty picks.
Jaco: Costa Rica’s Booming Beach Town – Jaco has a main strip with tons of shops and restaurants. Learn all about the town with this destination guide.