Caño Island Biological Reserve is located about 20 kilometers off the coast of the Osa peninsula. In the pre-Colombian époque the island was used as a cemetery by the former natives of this land.
The island is surrounded by five platforms of low coral reefs with many coral species. The coral reef environments are home to many different species of fish, e.g. parrot fish, Moorish Idol, Crocodile Needlefish, Guinea Fowl Puffer, Cornet fish and schools of Jack Fish, to name a few, and other aquatic animals such as sea turtles, sting rays, morays and white tip sharks.
For a snorkeling or diving tour, a taxi will bring you to the boat station where you take the boat to get closer to the Island. During the boat trip you might see dolphins and sometimes even whales (mid July to end of October).
You will snorkel/dive in the biological reserve at two different locations in front of the island and be able to observe the fascinating underwater world. A local tour guide will lead you to the best spots and show you the many species you encounter.
After snorkeling/diving you will head back to the coast and have lunch at the main land. After lunch a car will pick you up and bring back to the hotel.
| Duration: | 7 a.m. – 2/3 p.m., including: – 2 x 30 min taxi ride – 2 x 1h boat ride – lunch break |
| Includes: | – transport from Encanto Lodge to boat station – entrance fee – local guide – snorkeling/diving equipment – lunch |
Please note:
- Daily entries are limited and can only be reserved by local tour operators via email to the park administration. If you want to go on this tour we recommend an early reservation.
- For the reservation we need from all of the participants: Full name, Passport Number and Nationality (the park administration requires those data since Sept 2021). We need a prepayment of 50% of the total tour cost + 8% commission (via paypal) in order to make the reservation. You will have time 24h to pay the amount (please be alert for any email from us in this time, check your email and SPAM folder).
- Please note that the prepayment is non-refundable. Only in case we cannot find a space for you on a tour, we refund the money (except the paypal commission).
- The other 50% of the tour cost has to be paid at the lodge at the day of your arrival. In case of cancellations from the participants less than 24 hours before the tour the full rate is charged.
- Please indicate us in your reservation if you want to do Snorkeling or Diving (the latter only with license).
- Since a few years it is not allowed anymore to go on the Island (usually only in cases of emergency, e.g. sea-sickness).
- Weather on the Island is usually unpredictable (weather forecast is usually 50% true for this area), but normally better in dry season (January-March). However, visibility also depends on the ocean/current.
- The tour will only be cancelled if the tour operator considers that it is too dangerous to realize the tour or in case of any unforeseen circumstances that impede the realization of the tour.
Please bring:
- Reusable water bottle
- Solar protection: For snorkeling we recommend using a shirt (with long sleeves) as the sun is very strong out there
- Swimming suit
- Short pants/skirt/dress and sandals for getting on/off the boat
- Towel
- For diving please bring your diving license (PADI)
