I'm On a Boat...
"If life’s a beach, then enjoying it is getting on a boat.” -Gilligan
It’s no surprise that people associate Costa Rica with volcanos, surfing, and sloths. If it weren't for all the cool things to do on land, we may totally forget the country is bordered by two coastlines. Even the name translates to rich coast. Not only is there a beautiful coast, but some great views of that coast, which are best enjoyed from the deck of a boat. You don't even have to fish.
In Tamarindo you have several options for getting out there and getting some perspective. We're going to talk about why you may consider doing so, and what your options are. Strap on your life vest. It's about to get awesome.
Gain some perspective.
You think this place looks beautiful from the land? You should see it from the other side of a whale! Things get really special out on the water. There are not just whales, but huge stingrays, dolphins, and all the fish you have crammed in your fishtank back home. Here they're just much, much bigger.
Not to mention, hanging out on a boat deck is about the most serene experience you can enjoy. There is nothing for you to do but ride. If you don't feel like chatting, you can just enjoy the peace of it or take a nap in the sun. Drink what they're serving and you will definitely catch some Zs. Most of the charter boats around here offer free drinks and snacks.
Ride on a big fancy catamaran.
This is the most popular option. There are several catamarans, or cats in Tamarindo. They all take people out for snorkeling, kayaking, and a sunset cruise. They may also offer a morning cruise depending on the boat and time of year. Here’s the short list from TripAdvisor:
- Marlin Del Rey. #2 in Tamarindo. The Marlin Del Rey group has three boats, two of which take tours out of Tamarindo. The other boat is up in Playas Del Coco. They are by far the largest outfit, with the largest boats.
- Blue Dolphin #6 in Tamarindo. Blue Dolphin is slightly smaller than the Marlin Del Rey boats, but can be the more affordable option for those traveling on a budget.
- Seabird Sailing. Not ranked for Tamarindo. This cat used to be in Flamingo, and was rated #8, but moved to Tamarindo last year. Since moving to Tamarindo it appears to have gone offline for repairs. There is nothing on their site about an ETA. Too bad, as their reviews are glowing. Contact them for information.
Get a more private tour.
Catamarans can be too busy for some of us. Because of their large deck areas, and the stability of the boats, they can often be packed with tons of people. From an owner’s perspective it means more money earned for hours logged at sea. From a customer standpoint, sometimes the attention on these big boats is less than what one may prefer. If this is you, may consider one of the single hull boats, or even a private charter.
- Antares Sailing Adventures. #3 in Tamarindo. This old timey boat will make you want to say “argh.” The hull is very classic black and white, and the reputation is very good. You can expect less people on board this craft.
- Rhino Charger Sportfishing. #13 in Tamarindo. This craft is specifically for fishing, but if you book it, you can do whatever you want. Expect to pay more, but share much less, with almost nobody. (Captain, first mate, and crew).
- Mandingo Sailing. #25 in Tamarindo. Similar to Rhino Charger, this boat is much smaller, but rated impeccably. All five star ratings.
Get a super private tour.
These options you won’t find on Trip Advisor. They are the small fishing boats that tool around the estuary, or make runs from ship to shore with people and supplies. The size of these boats is small, and the ride is rough, but you won’t share your boat with anyone. You also will need to BYOB and BYOSnacks too. If you find the right boat though, you will get the most personalized attention of any option.
An alternative version of this is to rent personal watercraft (PWC) from one of the outfits on the beach. You may know PWC's as jetski, wave runner, or skidoo. For this option we recommend not drinking as you will be steering. Drinking and operating a waverunner is the fastest way to take an otherwise safe activity and make it very unsafe. No bueno.
Whichever option you pick, out on the beautiful blue water off Tamarindo’s coast, expect to see Costa Rica in a way many people will miss. If you’re still not sure, and you would like some direction on which way to go, contact us and we will help you. We might be Coldwell Banker of Tamarindo, but we are your personal Costa Rica insiders.
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