If you are looking for information on how to visit Caño Island (Isla del Caño in Spanish) you are in the right place. My sister and I visited Caño Island when we traveled to Costa Rica, and it was such a memorable day that I decided to share my experience to help you enjoy this incredible place.
Your first question will likely be “Is Caño Island worth visiting?” and the short answer is yes.
Caño Island is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for snorkeling and diving, so if that is something you are looking to do during your trip, definitely consider taking a day trip there.
We are used to great snorkeling as we live in Sardinia, and we have done it in many places (including in the Maldives), but our experience snorkeling at Caño Island went way above any expectations.
Curious to find out more? The continue reading, as I am about to share everything you need to know for a fabulous day trip to Caño Island, Costa Rica.
Where Is Caño Island?
Caño Island is located in the Pacific Ocean, about 32 miles (52 km) from Uvita, where Marino Ballena National Park is located, and 15 miles (24.2 km) from Drake Bay. On a clear day, you can see Caño Island from Drake Bay!
The island is located northwest of the Osa Peninsula, home of Corcovado National Park (by far my favorite in Costa Rica). The closest towns are Drake Bay, Sierpe and Uvita. Dominical is also close, but a bit further north.
The Isla del Caño is a protected reserve – known as the Caño Island Biological Reserve. It is managed under the Osa Convention Area and extends for 2,900 hectares. Nobody lives on the island, except for the park rangers that make sure to patrol the area to protect its wildlife and delicate environment.
Located on Caño Island there’s also one of the most important archeological sites in Costa Rica, around 300 petrospheres – locally known as bolas de piedra (stone balls, in English) that are located on the Diquís River Delta and belonging to the Diquís culture. There’s a cemetery that was likely used by the Chiriquis and that dates from pre-Colombian times.
These remains are not only proof that the island was inhabited between 700 and 1500 BC, but that it was also an important stop along the commercial routes of the Pacific Coast.
Unfortunately, these sites can’t be visited – only researchers can go there, after having obtained permission from the local authorities.
Visitors to Caño Island can get off the boat to spend some time on its wonderful beach and can follow the short trail that goes to the panoramic point from where the beach below can be admired.
Snorkeling At Caño Island
Snorkeling at Caño Island is a fantastic experience, and the visibility is really good. The marine life there is thriving, and on any day you can expect to swim with various species of turtles and colorful fish, as well as sharks, moray eels, and eagle rays.
Since the island is a protected reserve, you can’t go independently which means you’ll be on a guided tour. Guides will be getting in the water with you and leading the snorkeling expedition.
They will be looking for animals, and even take photos and videos that they will be sharing with you – so the only thing you have to worry about is swimming and looking at the animals.
Our experience was incredible. We saw tons of turtles – some kinds are a bit shy, whereas others will get very close to you! We saw schools of colorful fish, such as Bigeye Jacks, Clownfish, and we even saw some moray eels, white-tipped reef sharks and manta-rays.
On an average tour that includes snorkeling at Caño Island, you can expect to spend two to three hours in the water – but time will fly because there is so much to see!
How To Get To Caño Island
Caño Island can only be visited on guided tours that depart from Uvita, Drake Bay or Sierpe.
We took this Snorkeling At Caño Island tour that departed from Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita. The tour is run by a local company called Pacific Expedition and I couldn’t recommend it more. We had excellent guides who went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time, and we saw lots of animals. The boat ride from Uvita is more than one hour as this is one of the furthest departure points.
If you are staying in Sierpe, you could consider this Caño Island day trip that includes the boat ride, lunch, and all snorkeling equipment and has excellent reviews.
Finally, if you are staying in Drake Bay, there’s this snorkeling at Caño Island tour that is all-inclusive much like the others. The boat ride from Drake Bay is a bit shorter since the town is much closer to the island, so this is a good option if you are worried about sea-sickness.
All tours include a boat ride – the duration varies depending on your starting point and on the sea conditions; snorkeling equipment, a team of English-speaking guides, snacks and drinks, and a traditional lunch once you get back to the location you departed from.
How Is The Boat Ride To Caño Island?
The boat ride to Caño Island can be rough – this part of Costa Rica is known for its waves, so you can expect it to be so. It was ok when we visited, but you really need to go prepared with some motion sickness pills or acupressure wristbands just in case.
In fact, if you tend to get sea-sick, you may want to reconsider taking this tour as save for about 30 minutes during which you can get off on the island to go to the viewpoint, you will be spending the rest of the time on the boat or snorkeling.
On the plus side, depending on when you visit, you will be able to spot dolphins and even humpback whales during the boat ride. The biological reserve is a breeding site for humpback whales so the chances of spotting them are high in the season. We were not so fortunate to see whales (we visited off-season), but we did see dolphins.
Best Time To Visit Caño Island
The best time to visit Caño Island is during Costa Rica’s dry season, between December and April – that’s because, with less rain, the visibility in the water is much better.
We actually visited in mid-November, at the end of the rainy season, and we were lucky with a really sunny day and perfect visibility.
Keep in mind that whale season in the area goes from mid-July to the end of October and from mid-December to April, so if you visit during the whale season you may even be able to spot whales during your boat ride to Caño Island.
What To Wear For Your Caño Island Day Trip
To make the most of your time in Caño Island, make sure to wear and bring the right gear.
You will obviously need your swimsuit. I also recommend wearing a white T-shirt for when you are in the water, as the sun is very strong and it is easy to get sunburnt. You should also apply and bring a good reef-safe sunscreen.
Other things you will need are a towel to dry yourself once you get out of the water, a hat and sunglasses, a go-pro camera, water and snacks. You may also want to bring a dry-bag, just in case the sea on the way to the island is rough and waves get on the boat.
Finally, if you are prone to seasickness, bring some Dramamine with you. It is normally advised to take it about 30 to 45 minutes before getting on the boat, but keep in mind Dramamine can make you really drowsy so it’s not the best if you wish to enjoy your time snorkeling! For this reason, you may be better off with acupressure wrist bands.
My post What To Wear In Costa Rica highlights other items you may want to bring along.
Further Readings
These other posts will be useful when planning your trip to Costa Rica:
- A Useful Guide To Driving In Costa Rica
- The Complete Guide To Renting A Car In Costa Rica
- The Best Things To Do In San José
- The Best Things To Do In Puerto Viejo
- How To Visit Rio Celeste Waterfall
- How To Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
- A Guide To Visiting Tortuguero National Park
- The Best Guide To Manuel Antonio National Park
- The Best Things To Do In Manuel Antonio
- The Best National Parks In Costa Rica
- Is It Safe To Visit Costa Rica?
- The Nicest Waterfalls In Costa Rica
- The Best Things To Do In Puerto Jimenez
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