Our personalized custom eco-boat tours have a great selection of sightseeing and activity options. The Golfo Dulce bay is an ecologically protected area, therefore the beach zones are clear and attractive. The protected area includes coastal parts of Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Golfito Wildlife Refuge. The gulf is one of the greatest natural treasures of Costa Rica. Any tourist who visits the south part of Costa Rica should check the Golfo Dulce up, because it is one of the four tropical fjords around the world. While having a boat excursion, you encounter some common in the area animals like dolphins, flying fish and seabirds. You can find multiple rare and endangered species nesting in the area (depending on the season, tide and location).

Dolphin Watching

Experience a stunning boat journey in the company of dolphins up-close swimming and jumping in their natural environment. Dolphins are common residents of the Golfo Dulce. Their breeding seasons occur from July through October and December through March, but they can be seen in large pods all year. The species of dolphins that constantly visit the Golfo Dulce are the spinner (Stenella longirostris), bottle-nosed (Tursiops truncatus), common (Delphinus delphis) and pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata). Intelligent and playful, they love to leap alongside the vessel and frolic in its wake. Learn about this aquatic mammal’s incredible skills and natural habitats while sitting back in the boat and breathing the warm air of the tropics. Due to the natural wealth of the Golfo Dulce, it is not rare to see a school of wild dolphins jumping, they can be more than two hundred together. Seabirds are usually around and have an eye opened for the occasional whale shark and humpback whale.

Snorkeling

Just as the terrestrial ecosystems, the Golfo Dulce has an infinite marine beauty which defines the gulf as an idyllic destination for wildlife lovers. Snorkeling, freediving or scuba diving near the shore around coral reefs is educational heaven. Coral ecosystems are being recovered with NGO Raising Corals organization, which places coral reef fragments from nurseries to the ocean.

During this sunny tropical getaway, explore the home of over a thousand of marine species where an abundance of exotic life thrives the magical underwater World of Golfo Dulce. A place to witness enchanting the high diversity of sea life including several endemics and endangered creatures. Share the sea beneath the wave with vibrant schools of fish along with four species of sea turtles, the yellow sea snake of Golfo Dulce, manta rays, mammals, intriguing invertebrates and essential aquatic plants.

Discover one of the best snorkeling spots of the bay visiting the clear water of the shallow depth La Viuda rocky islet where coral forests grow habitats on the seafloor. A one-of-a-kind experience in a diverse ecosystem filled with breathtaking wildlife and scenic reef stretching towards warm waters. In the sunlit and shallow tropical waters, identify a collection of reef fish and eye-popping corals. Get plenty of opportunities to get up close to the abundant marine life that inhabit the reef; a heaven on earth for animal lovers!

One of the most amazing things besides the marine ecosystems is the water temperature that varies between 27º Celsius (81º Fahrenheit) and 31º Celsius (86º Fahrenheit) degrees all along the year. You can spend the whole day in the water and never get cold, no wetsuit is needed all year for this leisure activity. Whether you are a novice or an experienced snorkeler, this is a perfect family-friendly activity and great fun for nature enthusiasts. Learn the proper ways to enjoy the experience using a mask, snorkel, and fins, and remember to bring a waterproof camera to capture remarkable moments undersea.

Golfo Dulce Venture Boat tours

Either a few hours’ tours or a full day trip on the water, you can combine different activities while navigating the Golfo Dulce. Boat departures are usually from the main dock of Puerto Jiménez or the small dock of Golfito, but captains can pick you up from Pavones, Zancudo, a marina or from the beach of your hotel.

Dolphin watching and snorkeling being the most common adventure selection, this tour of an approximate duration of three hours and a half is great marine wildlife experienced journey. Here are more activities to choose from in this sightseeing/eco-tour while exploring the unique and spectacular Golfo Dulce.

Osa Wildlife Sanctuary

Cross the majestic Golfo Dulce by boat and visit the non-profit Wildlife Caña Blanca Foundation. Learn about their rehabilitation programs and have a hands-on activity, while helping with their injured and orphaned animals. Most critters are endangered species that eventually will be released at Piedras Blanca National Park if their conditions allow it.

Wild tropical beach

Take a stroll on one of the lesser-known beaches of the Golfo Dulce Rain Forest Reserve or Piedras Blancas National Park where the water is calm and transparent to soak up the sun and top up your tan out. Relax on the sand of a peaceful beach or free dive around reef corals encompassing the unmatched beauty the gulf is known for. Throughout the Golfo Dulce plenty of secluded beaches remains mostly unspoiled and surrounded by undisturbed nature. They might be some of the least visited of Costa Rica, but the quiet vibe, crystal-clear waters and lushly forested mountains are what eco-travelers fall in love for. The only way to get to this perfect laid-back holiday destination is by boat.

Other popular activities available in the Golfo Dulce are inshore fishing (deep sea, coastal shore, fly fishing, artisanal fishing), scuba diving, sunset & plankton observation, mangrove & riverboat ride, dolphin & whale watching and any other wild marine watching.

Build your perfect combination of beach and brilliant marine life that will leave lasting memories!