Catamaran Cruise &
Pacific Ocean Adventure
Sail the Pacific aboard Sea Quest — 55 feet of open ocean, dolphins, humpback whales and the coastline of Manuel Antonio as your backdrop.
The Best Catamaran Cruise
from Quepos & Manuel Antonio
Sea Quest is a 55-foot sailing catamaran departing from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos — the premier sailing vessel for catamaran cruises along the Manuel Antonio coastline. With two daily departures at 9 AM and 2 PM, every cruise combines the best of Costa Rica's Pacific Ocean in a single 4-hour outing.
The route takes you along the dramatic cliffs and coves of Manuel Antonio National Park, past uninhabited islands and into open Pacific waters where dolphins are a near-daily sighting. Between April and October, the same waters are visited by humpback whales migrating from both hemispheres — a natural phenomenon found in very few places on Earth.
Every cruise includes snorkeling at a protected reef, an open bar with local beers, cocktails and soft drinks, fresh tropical fruit and snacks, and an experienced bilingual crew that knows these waters intimately. Hotel transfers are coordinated through Tabulia Tree Hotel reception.
Sea Quest — 55-ft sailing catamaran, Marina Pez Vela, Quepos
Sea Quest catamaran cruises depart from Marina Pez Vela, Quepos. Bookings and transfers are coordinated through Tabulia Tree Hotel reception or directly via +506 8504-5880 · reserve@manuelantonioactivitiescr.com
The Complete Pacific Experience
Sailing the Manuel Antonio Coast
Depart Marina Pez Vela and sail south along the coastline of Manuel Antonio National Park. Dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and beaches accessible only by sea — the best perspective on Costa Rica's most visited national park.
55-ft sailing catamaran · Stable & spaciousDolphin Watching & Wildlife
Spinner and bottlenose dolphins are near-daily visitors along the Manuel Antonio coast. The crew monitors sightings in real time — when dolphins appear, Sea Quest goes to them. Turtles, frigatebirds and brown boobies frequently accompany the cruise.
Spinner & bottlenose dolphins · Year-roundSnorkeling at a Protected Reef
Drop anchor at a sheltered reef and explore Costa Rica's Pacific underwater world. Colorful reef fish, sea turtles and diverse marine life inhabit the coral formations around Manuel Antonio. Equipment provided, guides in the water.
Snorkel gear included · Guides in waterHumpback Whale Season
Between April and October, humpback whales from both hemispheres migrate through the waters of Manuel Antonio — one of only a handful of places on Earth where this double migration occurs. Sea Quest's experienced crew knows the patterns.
April–October · Double hemisphere migrationOpen Bar & Fresh Tropical Fruit
Local beers, rum cocktails, soft drinks and fresh water throughout the cruise — all included. Fresh seasonal tropical fruit and snacks are served during the snorkeling stop. The 2 PM sunset cruise adds golden-hour Pacific views to the experience.
Local beer · Cocktails · Tropical fruit9 AM & 2 PM Departures
The morning cruise catches the calmest sea conditions and best wildlife activity. The afternoon cruise delivers a Pacific sunset from the water — a once-in-a-trip experience. Both depart from Marina Pez Vela, Quepos with hotel transfer included.
Marina Pez Vela · Transfer includedDolphin Watching
in Manuel Antonio
The waters off Manuel Antonio are home to resident populations of spinner and bottlenose dolphins. These highly social animals are frequently encountered in large pods — sometimes 50 or more — leaping and surfing the bow wake of Sea Quest.
Spinner dolphins are most active in the morning hours, often visible from the moment Sea Quest clears the marina. Bottlenose dolphins are larger and tend to appear further offshore. The Sea Quest crew tracks sightings daily and navigates toward active pods when conditions allow.
Humpback Whales
in Quepos Waters
Manuel Antonio sits within one of the rarest marine corridors on the planet — a zone where humpback whales from both the North Pacific and the South Pacific converge to breed and nurse their calves. This double migration, active from approximately April through October, makes the waters around Quepos one of the best whale watching destinations in the Americas.
Humpback whales are frequently observed breaching, tail-slapping and logging within sight of the Sea Quest catamaran. Mother and calf pairs are the most spectacular sightings of the season, typically from July through September. The crew prioritizes whale encounters whenever safe to do so.
What’s Included
Requirements & Policy
Reserve Your
Sea Quest Departure
Choose your preferred departure below and book directly through WeTravel — secure, instant confirmation. Transfer from Tabulia Tree Hotel and all Quepos / Manuel Antonio hotels included in every booking.
Questions before booking?
📞 +506 8504-5880
✉ reserve@manuelantonioactivitiescr.com
Or ask at Tabulia Tree Hotel reception.
Calmest sea conditions of the day. Best dolphin activity, ideal snorkeling visibility and the full morning coastline of Manuel Antonio at its most dramatic.
The golden-hour cruise. Sail into the Pacific afternoon, snorkel as the light turns golden and return to marina with the sun setting behind the Quepos hills — one of the most beautiful experiences on the Costa Rican coast.
5.0 ★ on TripAdvisor
"Absolutely unforgettable. We saw a pod of over 50 spinner dolphins within the first hour, then snorkeled at the most beautiful reef I've ever been to. The crew was incredible — knowledgeable, fun and genuinely passionate about the ocean and the wildlife."
"We did the 2 PM cruise and the sunset was beyond words. The open bar, the fresh fruit, the snorkeling — everything was perfect. But watching humpback whales breach in the Pacific while holding a rum cocktail is something I will never forget."
"Best activity of our whole Costa Rica trip. The catamaran is beautiful, the crew made everyone feel welcome, and the dolphin encounter was magical. We booked through Tabulia Tree Hotel — seamless from start to finish. Do not miss this."
Catamaran Cruise Manuel Antonio & Quepos — Everything You Need to Know
A catamaran cruise from Quepos is one of the definitive experiences of any Costa Rica trip. The combination of a stable 55-foot sailing vessel, the biodiversity of Manuel Antonio's Pacific waters and a crew with years of local knowledge creates a 4-hour experience that's genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else on the Pacific coast.
Why is the Manuel Antonio coastline special for a catamaran cruise?
Manuel Antonio National Park protects not only a terrestrial rainforest reserve but a marine zone extending 1 km offshore. This protected ocean corridor means the waters around Manuel Antonio have some of the highest marine biodiversity on Costa Rica's Pacific coast — reef ecosystems, deep-water dolphin habitat and the humpback whale migration route all converge here.
What is the double humpback whale migration?
Manuel Antonio sits in a remarkable geographic position: it lies within range of both the Northern Hemisphere humpback whale population (which travels from North Pacific feeding grounds) and the Southern Hemisphere population (which travels from Antarctic feeding grounds). Both populations use the same Costa Rican waters for breeding and calving, creating an extended season of whale activity from approximately April through October. This double migration is documented in very few places globally — Manuel Antonio is one of them.
What's the difference between the 9 AM and 2 PM cruises?
The 9 AM morning cruise offers the calmest sea conditions of the day, the most active dolphin behavior and the best underwater visibility for snorkeling. The 2 PM afternoon cruise adds the spectacular dimension of Pacific sunset light — golden hour on the water, with Manuel Antonio's cliffs glowing in the late-afternoon sun as you return to marina. Both departures include the full experience: snorkeling, open bar, wildlife and the Sea Quest crew.
How far is Marina Pez Vela from Tabulia Tree Hotel?
Marina Pez Vela is approximately 10 minutes by vehicle from Tabulia Tree Hotel. Transfer from Tabulia Tree and all hotels in the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area is included in every booking — no car or separate logistics required. The crew meets guests at the dock before each departure.
Is the catamaran cruise good for families?
Sea Quest is one of the most family-friendly activities available in Manuel Antonio. The 55-foot catamaran is stable and spacious, the snorkeling is suitable for children with basic swimming ability, and the dolphin encounters are universally described as the highlight of children's Costa Rica trips. Life jackets are provided for all ages and sizes.
Your Questions
Everything you need to know about the Sea Quest catamaran cruise from Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
What is included in the Sea Quest catamaran cruise?
The cruise includes 4 hours aboard the 55-ft Sea Quest catamaran, snorkeling with equipment and in-water guides, an open bar (local beers, rum cocktails, soft drinks), fresh tropical fruit and snacks, dolphin watching, humpback whale encounters in season (April–October), and round-trip hotel transfer from Tabulia Tree Hotel and all Quepos / Manuel Antonio hotels.
What time do the catamaran cruises depart?
Two daily departures: 9:00 AM (morning cruise — calmest conditions, best dolphin activity) and 2:00 PM (afternoon cruise — Pacific golden hour and sunset views). Both depart from Marina Pez Vela, Quepos.
Will we see dolphins on the catamaran cruise?
Spinner and bottlenose dolphins are near-daily sightings along the Manuel Antonio coast. The Sea Quest crew monitors active pods and navigates toward them when conditions allow. While sightings can never be guaranteed, they are consistent throughout the year.
When is the best time to see humpback whales in Manuel Antonio?
Humpback whale season in Manuel Antonio runs approximately April through October, with peak activity in July, August and September. Manuel Antonio is one of the few places in the world where both Northern and Southern Hemisphere humpback populations overlap — creating an unusually long season.
Does the catamaran cruise include hotel transfer from Tabulia Tree?
Yes. Round-trip transfer is included from Tabulia Tree Hotel and all hotels and vacation rentals in the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area. The van picks you up at your hotel and returns you after the cruise.
Is the catamaran cruise suitable for children?
Yes — Sea Quest is one of the most family-friendly activities in Manuel Antonio. The 55-foot catamaran is stable and spacious. Snorkeling is suitable for children with basic swimming ability. Life jackets are provided for all ages. Dolphin encounters are consistently a highlight for families.
What should I bring on the catamaran cruise?
Reef-safe sunscreen (strongly recommended), swimwear under clothing, a towel, sunglasses and a light cover-up. All snorkeling equipment is provided. The open bar and snacks are included — no need to bring food or drinks. A small dry bag for your phone and valuables is recommended.
How do I book the catamaran cruise from Tabulia Tree Hotel?
Book directly through the WeTravel buttons on this page, at Tabulia Tree Hotel reception, by calling +506 8504-5880, or by emailing reserve@manuelantonioactivitiescr.com. Immediate confirmation is provided upon booking.