Jaco Boat Tours: Tortuga Island Catamaran, Private Charters and More
Jaco is a beach town, but some of the best days of a Jaco trip happen on the water. You can cross the Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga Island on a shared catamaran, take a private boat to the same beach with just your group, spend an afternoon cruising the coast between Jaco and Los Sueños, or ride a small boat through a river full of crocodiles.
The options are very different in price, pace and crowd, and the listings online rarely compare them side by side. This guide does that, with the real times and starting prices we quote every week, so you can pick the boat day that fits your group before you book anything.
What Boat Tours Can You Do From Jaco?
There are four main ways to spend a day on a boat from Jaco: a shared all-inclusive catamaran to Tortuga Island (from $165 per adult), a private boat to Tortuga Island for your group (from $2,100 for up to 10 guests), a half-day private charter along the Jaco and Los Sueños coastline (from $1,350), and calm-water nature tours by boat through the Tárcoles River or the Damas Island mangroves (from $55 per person). Ocean trips leave from Los Sueños Marina, about 10 minutes north of Jaco.
Jaco Boat Tours at a Glance
| Boat tour | Length | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared catamaran to Tortuga Island | Full day, about 8.5 hours | $165 per adult, $135 per child (4 to 12) | Couples, families and small groups |
| Private boat to Tortuga Island | Full day, morning to late afternoon | $2,100 for up to 10 guests | Groups of 10 to 35 who want the boat to themselves |
| Half-day private charter on the coast | About 4 hours, noon to 4 PM | $1,350 for up to 10 guests | Celebrations, bachelor groups, sunset crowds |
| Tárcoles River crocodile boat | 2 hours | $68 per person with transport | Wildlife lovers, half-day plans |
| Damas Island mangrove boat | 1.5 to 2 hours | $55 per person plus transport | Families with young kids, monkey fans |
Do Boats Leave From Jaco Beach?
No. Jaco Beach has no dock or marina, and its open surf makes boarding from the sand impractical. Ocean tours leave from Los Sueños Marina in Herradura, about 10 minutes north of town, which is also the base of the local sportfishing fleet. Every boat trip we book includes the ride from your hotel, condo or villa in Jaco or Los Sueños to the marina and back, so you never need to drive or park.
How Do You Get to Tortuga Island From Jaco?
Tortuga Island sits in the Gulf of Nicoya, across the water from Jaco. There is no bridge and no public ferry from this side of the gulf, so the only practical way to visit from Jaco is a boat tour from Los Sueños Marina. The crossing takes about 45 minutes each way, a little longer on some boats or on a choppy day, and crews often slow down when they spot dolphins.
“Tortuga” is actually a pair of small islands, Tolinga and Alcatraz, known for a white sand beach, calm turquoise water and a rocky reef that is good for beginner snorkeling. You have two ways to get there: a shared catamaran or a private boat.
Shared Catamaran vs Private Boat to Tortuga Island
The Shared Catamaran: Everything Included, Fixed Schedule
The shared catamaran tour to Tortuga Island is the classic way to do it. Pickup is early in the morning, the catamaran leaves Los Sueños Marina soon after and docks back in the afternoon. A light breakfast on board, soft drinks, rum punch and margaritas, guided snorkeling with gear, a banana boat ride, a short island hike, beach chairs with umbrellas and a buffet lunch on the beach are all in one price: $165 per adult, $135 for kids 4 to 12, and free for children 3 and under.
It works best for couples, families and groups of up to about eight, because you are paying per person and someone else handles every detail. The trade off is the schedule. You travel with other guests, follow the crew’s timing, and drinks are served by the crew, so ask before bringing your own.
The Private Boat: Your Group, Your Rules
A private boat to Tortuga Island takes only your group. You pick the boat from our private fleet of 48 to 55 foot boats, which carry up to 35 guests with a captain and mate. Every boat comes stocked with coolers, drinks and snacks, the meal plan depends on the boat you choose, and you can bring your own drinks and playlist. Inshore fishing can be added on request.
Pricing is per boat, from $2,100 for up to 10 guests, plus a set fee for each extra person. That is why the math flips with group size: for two people the catamaran is far cheaper, but for a bachelor party, a birthday or two families traveling together, a private boat often lands close to the per person cost of the catamaran, with none of the strangers.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose the shared catamaran if you are under eight people, want meals and activities handled, and like a social, easygoing day.
- Choose a private boat if you are ten or more, are celebrating something, want to bring your own drinks, or need flexibility for kids, seniors or a slow morning.
- Between eight and ten people, ask us for both quotes. That is the range where the price difference is smallest.
Is a Half-Day Boat Charter Better Than a Full Day?
If your group wants the boat and the music but not a full day away, a half-day charter is the better fit. These private party boat charters in Jaco pick you up around 11:10 AM, leave Los Sueños at noon and return at 4 PM, cruising the coastline between Jaco, Herradura and Los Sueños with stops to swim. Prices start around $1,350 for smaller groups and $1,850 to $2,000 for up to 20 guests on the larger boats, with room for up to 35.
Half days leave your morning free for a surf lesson or an ATV ride and get you back to town for dinner. Lunch is not included unless you add the sandwich and rum punch package, so eat before pickup.
Calm-Water Boat Tours for Families and Wildlife
Not every boat day has to be on the open ocean. Two short tours near Jaco use small river boats on calm water, which makes them a good choice for young kids, grandparents or anyone prone to seasickness.
Tárcoles River. Twenty minutes north of Jaco, the Tárcoles River crocodile boat tour brings you within a few meters of some of the largest American crocodiles in the country, plus herons, kingfishers and scarlet macaws along the banks. It lasts two hours and runs four times a day.
Damas Island mangroves. About 45 minutes south, near Quepos, the monkey mangrove tour winds through narrow channels where white-faced capuchin monkeys often come right up to the boat. It is one of the easiest tours in the area for small children.
When Is the Best Time for a Boat Tour in Jaco?
Boat tours run all year. The dry season, from December to April, brings the calmest seas and the most reliable sunshine, and it is also peak season, so book Tortuga Island and private charters at least a week ahead. From May to November mornings are usually calm and bright, with showers that tend to arrive in the afternoon, which is why the full-day trips leave early.
Morning departures are also the smoother ride. The Gulf of Nicoya is sheltered, but wind picks up later in the day. If the port authority closes the marina for weather, your trip is moved to another date or fully refunded.
What to Bring on a Boat Tour From Jaco
- Swimsuit, towel and a dry change of clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Sandals or water shoes with a rubber sole
- A waterproof pouch for your phone
- Seasickness tablets, taken before you board, if you are sensitive to motion
- Cash for crew tips and island extras like kayak or jet ski rentals
If you want to fish, the half-day and private Tortuga boats can add inshore fishing. For a dedicated offshore day, read our guide to fishing tours from Jaco and Los Sueños.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the boat ride from Jaco to Tortuga Island?
About 45 minutes each way from Los Sueños Marina, which is 10 minutes from Jaco. Add roughly 30 minutes for hotel pickup. The full day, door to door, runs about eight and a half hours.
Is Tortuga Island worth it from Jaco?
Yes, if you want a classic tropical beach day. Jaco’s own beach is better for surfing than swimming, while Tortuga has calm, clear water, white sand and easy snorkeling. If you only have half a day, a coastal charter or the crocodile tour is a better use of your time.
Can you see dolphins or whales on a boat tour from Jaco?
Dolphins are spotted on many trips across the Gulf of Nicoya, and crews slow down when they appear. Humpback whales pass along this coast during their migration seasons, but sightings are never guaranteed on a Tortuga or coastal trip.
Will I get seasick on a boat tour in Jaco?
Most people do not. The Gulf of Nicoya is sheltered, and the twin hulls of a catamaran make it one of the smoothest rides on the water. If you are sensitive, take a seasickness tablet before boarding, sit in the middle of the boat, and choose a morning departure, when the water is smoothest.
What is the best boat tour in Jaco for families with young kids?
The shared catamaran to Tortuga Island is the easiest full day, since meals and activities are included and children 3 and under travel free. For a short outing, the mangrove and crocodile river tours use small boats on calm water and last about two hours.
Can I rent a boat or yacht for my group in Jaco?
Yes. Private boats from 40 to 55 feet can be chartered by the half day along the coast or for a full day to Tortuga Island, with a captain, crew and transport included. See the options for private boat and yacht charters in Jaco.