We had an amazing experience. Josué was our guide and was fantastic! We kayaked out into the bay and we were able to see some dolphins. The sunset that night was the best we had on our entire trip. Fresh pineapple and coconut for snacks and to finish it off with the Bio-luminescence for the perfect night. We highly recommend this experience.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Local guide
- Water to refill your personal recipient
- Snacks
- Snacks (seasonal fruit)
Excludes
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Mosquito repellent
- Tips
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Please show up at Aventuras Golfo Dulce 15 minutes before your tour. Or even early and enjoy our delicius Cafe
Return
- Please show up at Aventuras Golfo Dulce 15 minutes before your tour. Or even early and enjoy our delicius Cafe
Itinerary
The tour starts at our adventure base and restaurant, Aventuras Cafe. Meet your guide, get ready for the tour, and participate in the safety briefing. Start paddling in the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce tropical fjord, enjoying the scenery and looking for marine life. Enjoy a fruit snack and beach time, where swimming is possible. Experience the bioluminescent effect after sunset. Start an amazing night paddle back to the base. Showers are available at the end of the tour.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We had an absolutely incredible time! It was so relaxing paddling out there to golfo dulce, surrounded by nature and wildlife. The beautiful sunset, and floating in the gentle sea with magical bioluminescence sparkling around me are memories I will cherish! Also, the most amazing pineapples! 😊 Highly, highly recommend this activity!
This was an amazing experience. We learned a lot and the views were amazing. We had a super great guide.
This was an excellent nighttime tour and I would highly recommend it! Oscar was a fabulous guide, very knowledgeable about the science behind the bio-luminescence phenomenon. We had a storm come up quickly during our tour, but Oscar used good judgement and got us back safely. He had snorkeling equipment so that we could see the bio-luminescence under water which was fascinating! Something totally different and well worth doing.
It was quite the experience. We paddled over to some beach and just as we were landing, a huge wave caught us and put we hit the one submerged rock on the beach putting a hole in both boats. The company was terrific and was able to bring out another kayak for us to get back.
My family of 5 had a great time on the sunset and bioluminescence kayak excursion. Lino was an excellent guide and shared his deep knowledge about the mangrove ecosystem as well as some top tips for how to pick, open, drink and eat a coconut! The sunset was gorgeous and we had a great time playing on the beach in the dark with the glowing algae. One word of warning. —an appreciable distance is covered over the 2 hours and my children got quite tired during the last leg kayaking back in the dark in their solo kayaks. In hindsight, we would have booked tandem kayaks to better share the effort. Best to book this on nights with dark skies (close to new moon) — algae will glow more vibrantly, but you will also be kayaking in pitch black waters for half the trip. The guides are excellent and they make sure everybody stays together with safety as a top priority.
Our tour guides were the best! We not only caught sunset, but they taught us how to survive with only a coconut if we were stranded on an island! A great experience and worth the money.
I'll admit, I was abit apprehensive about booking this excursion. I am so glad I went for it as it was one of the most unique and beautiful experiences. Lino was our guide who is so incredibly knowledgeable, and his passion for the wildlife and fauna knows no bounds. I felt safe and well looked after the whole time. I walked away learning more than I thought I would - about different types of birds, land & marine animals, the benefits to various plant species. The beach snack where he taught us the tricks of the trade of opening up a coconut. Although there was not a ton of bioluminescence (can't predict mother nature), Lino showed us a couple crafty tricks so we could see some bioluminescence. If it's a clear sky at night - don't forget to look up at the magnificent stars too! A leisurely kayak paddle during sunset was not just a photographere dream, but a vision I'll be daydreaming of for a very long time. Sitting close to the water while beauty and wildlife is everywhere you look is a memory I'll cherish for a lifetime. If you're on the fence, do it! You won't regret it! A couple (semi unrelated) tips: make sure you have a ride planned for your pickup. My hotel shuttle straight up lied to me and I was forced to come up with something on the fly. Second, being a towel and leave it in their lockers - sitting in a taxi with a wet bum isn't ideal. Lastly, eat at the cafe! They have fantastic food, smoothies, coffee and pastries - but go early they'll be closed by the time you get off the water.
We had a great experience! Our tour guide was informative and very funny. It was our first time to the area and we were so blown away by the beauty. We live in Costa Rica and it was amazing to see all of the little coves of calm waters. The trip to the area was absolutely beautiful. The sunset was amazing and we got to see the bioluminescence. It was t thick in the water so the best viewing was to go into the water and play with your hands. The tour guide had pieces of meat where you could scoop them up and they look like diamonds on the mesh. Magical experience 🦋 We saw rooster fish popping out of the water at dusk and a dolphin jumped out of the water too. So fun
I went on the Bioluminescence and sunset kayaking tour with Lino on my last day in Costa Rica, and it was the perfect magical way to wrap up my vacation. Lino was a great guide, spoke clear English, and taught us a lot about wildlife. We kayaked around the mangroves, then to a tiny island for sunset, docked the kayaks and ate a freshly prepared pineapple and coconut, and then we walked into the water to see the Bioluminescence. We did get wet. It was a perfect experience. Thanks Lino!
Lino was incredible as a guide! He was knowledgeable, calm, and so gentle as he explained the life in the mangroves. Then we kayaked at sunset and watched the rooster fish spines come up from the water, the sea turtles swimming, and the clouds roll across the huge sky. He cut a wonderful pineapple for us, and opened a wild coconut using only a stick. Then he pointed out constellations before we walked waist deep in the dark ocean to experience the bioluminescence - enchanting!! Finally we had a short kayak back in the pitch dark (Lino had lights on his kayak), The whole experience was tranquil. Perfect!
We (husband, two young adult children, and I) really enjoyed our afternoon/evening kayaking trip. Our guide was very kind and knowledgeable. The kayaking in the mangroves was really calming and interesting. I thought we would really just be killing time until it got dark, but this was probably my favorite part of the trip. We stopped twice at beaches, which I appreciated because my legs can get sore when in a kayak for too long. The first stop was for fresh fruit and a dip in the water, and the second was to see the bioluminesence. The bioluminesence was pretty subtle. You are probably not going to see huge swaths of brilliant lights. But we did see sparkles, especially when we used the snorkeling mask to view the phenomenon underwater. It was really fun to be in the ocean in the dark, and then to kayak in the dark. I had never done that before. Overall, this was a really fun family adventure and I highly recommend the tour company and this trip.
A relaxed kayaking tour with a good, easy-to-understand explanation of the flora and fauna. Beautiful bioluminescence while swimming, snorkeling, and even a little bit while paddling. Nature is nature ;)
A relaxed kayaking tour with a good, easy-to-understand explanation of the flora and fauna. Beautiful bioluminescence while swimming, snorkeling, and even a little bit while paddling. Nature is nature ;)
The moon did not show, but you can still see the plankton without the moon, so go anytime you are there. Anyone can do it. An amazing experience, just don't swat the plankton when they sting your skin, instead just fan or swish it away. Enjoyed the whole thing!
We enjoyed this tour, but the bioluminescence was disappointing and not like photos. There was some sparkling but not glowing and not intense, even though we planned our tour on the new moon and high tide. We felt rushed and wished we could have stayed longer. We enjoyed kayaking through the mangrove and the pineapple/coconut snack provided. The guide didn’t wait for everyone to stay together, so you could only hear his commentary while kayaking if you were right next to him. I guess that’s the nature of a kayak tour. It was over priced for the time length. With some research you might to be able to go on your own.
Great trip with a friendly and knowledgeable guide, we really enjoyed it! It was a wonderful start to our holiday and we would completely recommend
The bio-luminescence was amazing. Alberto was our guide and he was super nice, knowledgeable, and safe. We learned a lot about nature, the area, and got to see these amazing glowing dots all over. Alberto said you can see them all the time if it is dark enough, even in the rain. We had the best time and highly recommend it.
We had a fantastic time! The bioluminescence was incredible, and kayaking in the ocean made it even better. Our guides, Alberto and Gustavo, made sure we felt safe and comfortable the whole time and were so knowledgeable! This tour is a must!
We had a good time on this tour. I think it's important to note that you will paddle about 5 miles in your kayak, part of that time in the dark. Also, somehow we thought the bioluminescence part would be from the kayak, but it is actually mostly while you're in the ocean, in the dark, snorkeling. We had a good experience and it was a really beautiful night, but my wife got pretty tired paddling and even as an experienced kayaker it was a bit weird paddling in the dark. Leave anything you don't absolutely need behind as it's tough to find small stuff in the dark when you get out of the kayak to do the bioluminescent thing. Which was cool.
Alberto was a fantastic guide! I had a wonderful experience kayaking up the river where he shared about the mangroves, marine life, and birds, then we carried the kayaks over the bank into the ocean. I don’t live near a beach so the waves were a little intimidating but once out further it was super peaceful with sunset and the bioluminescence was great. Albert was great and I felt safe the whole time while also getting the chance to push myself in trying something new. I’m learning Spanish and he was really patient with my questions, and was willing to give the tour in Spanish for me but can also do it in English. My one tip is to not forget to take Dramamine if you’re prone to seasicknesses like me, the waves are a totally different experience on the ocean than what I’m used to on small lakes back home.
Instead of snorkeling, the capt let us fish. Had a blast watching my grandson catch fish. Because of the season and too much fresh water the amount of bioluminescent plankton was a little low but we saw it. Once we started heading back into Puerto Jimenez the wake did glow and it was impressive. Heading back to the pier someone was setting off fireworks. The fireworks looked awesome from the water. Great English language from the capt made communication easy. Would definitely recommend the trip.
We had an absolutely unforgettable experience on the Bio-Luminescence and Sunset Kayak Tour. Our guide, Alberto, was phenomenal. He was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and fantastic with kids. He made the entire adventure feel magical and educational at the same time. Our sons, ages 12 and 8, were thrilled from start to finish. They felt confident and proud after swimming and kayaking at night. It was a real adventure for them and something they’ll remember for a long time. Alberto even taught them how to husk a coconut, crack it open, and drink the water. That hands-on experience was a huge hit. The bioluminescence itself was breathtaking. Watching the water light up with every stroke was like something out of a dream. Kayaking through the mangroves at sunset was peaceful and serene, and we learned so much about the ecosystem thanks to Alberto’s thoughtful explanations. This tour was the perfect mix of nature, adventure, learning, and wonder. We highly recommend it to families, especially those with curious kids. Thank you, Alberto, for such a memorable night.
Drove 4 hours each way just for this excursion to cancel, wasting two days of our trip, due to a full moon. I'm pretty sure science has made this information available well in advance, no? Then offered me some tour the next day completely unrelated to what I was looking for and stopped responding when I asked for a refund. There is so much to see in Costa Rica, don't waste two days, 8 hours of driving, and a hotel for the night on a company that knew well in advance what phase the moon was in. Scammers.
Great tour. We were amazed at the bioluminescence we saw. Our tour guide was fantastic too. One of the highlights of Costa Rica for us. We did have to paddle hard on the way back so keep your group’s abilities in mind for this.
THE GUIDE (LINO) WAS EXCEPTIONAL. Absolute must do. We have a fantastic time. Bring bug spray or wear a rashvest! If you go past the mangroves, you will be bitten 🤪
Very fun, our guide was very nice and kept pace with us (we had a lot of kids). Saw some wildlife and learned about the mangroves, the bioluminescence was a highlight. The tour included a pineapple and coconut snack.
super cool and small group, even cooler guide who seemed to enjoy the tour as much as we did and was absolutely passionate about his job! really nice and long break with fresh fruit our guide cut open for us and after we all jumped in the water and he showed us to the bioluminescent bacteria!! definitely worth the money
Loved the tour! I got to see the incredible bioluminescence and mangroves of OSA Peninsula, can’t recommend it more!! Definitely worth doing if you are in the area👌🏻💯
Adventuras was walking distance from our hotel. A wonderful restaurant is next to it. The beach was about 100 yds from Adventuras storefront. The guide explained everything to everyone - everywhere we went. No question went unanswered. It was a really nice tour. The bioluminescence was neat, but not the real highlight for me. We started off paddling near the shore and stopped near the mangroves. We saw a lot of wildlife and jumping fish. As the sun started to set, we headed for the shore the watch the sunset. As we ate pineapple, watermelon, and coconut, we started to see the bioluminescence in the waves. We embarked from that beach as darkness fell. Our paddles swirled with bioluminescence as we gathered in a group. It was my first time kayaking in near total darkness and it was exhilarating. I hope I will remember that feeling for the rest of my life.
Very novice older kayakers on a girls trip. Lino was very patient and informative. He was very knowledgeable about the area and stars. The sunset was beautiful and the bioluminescence was amazing. The pineapple and coconut were a nice touch.
We were a couple traveling with my husbands mother and step mother. Both over the age of 75. Each of us took one of them on a double kayak. It was easy for us with breaks to complete the kayaking! Views were stunning and our guide Lino was knowledgeable and was very good at answering our questions and teaching us about the gulf. We had dinner after and highly recommend to book the dinner prior to leaving on the bioluminescence kayaking. The coconut cake was incredible and Alberto was a gracious host and you can see the pride he has in his business
This was a terrific experience with our 3 adult kids. The kayaking was beautiful and Swimming in the bioluminescence was magical. Our guide Lino was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and kind. And watching how he prepared pineapple and coconut on the beach was an unexpected delight (no joke!). Aventuras tropicales was welcoming and super efficient. Highly recommended.
Kayaked through the mangroves learning about the types of local birds and mangrove varieties. Watched the sun set as we paddled back before pulling up onto an island beach to eat snacks and swim with the bioluminescents. Much easier to see from underneath the water so recommend bringing goggles! Our tour guide Lino was brilliant and we had a wonderful night. Thank you!
This was a great tour. The mangroves were interesting, the pineapple snack was so tasty, and the bioluminescence was great. There were 5 people in our group, and only 1 had seen bioluminescence before. The water temperature was very comfortable, and we had a perfect amount of time to spend checking out the bioluminescence. The bioluminescence lasted the whole way back to Puerto Jimenez, so it was great to watch our kayak paddles in it. We had a tatty dinner at the Adventuras Cafe next door afterwards. Great evening!
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and had a great command of the English language which made for a better experience than struggling with limited Spanish. I expected an isle of Capri complete illumination however that was not the case. This is more like hundreds of lightning bugs lighting up the water as you used your hands or rowed. It was beautiful and my 11 year old grandson totally loved it. Even relatively new kayakers can do this tour. Water was very calm outbound and just slightly choppy on the way back. We preordered dinner at the location and were not disappointed. Very good meal. We did get wetter than I expected so bring a change of clothes!!
The people are so nice and helpful. Biolumence kayak trip - our tour guide Lino was so nice. Lots of information about the mangrove trees and at dark saw the plankton light up. Water bag for cell phone necessary. Ocean was calm at night for us. Really Enjoyed. Ate lunch at adventuras cafe. ( a quick 5 min walk from the curio hotel with lots of monkeys in the trees. Lunch, smoothies and coffee good. Offered to make us a local breakfast the next morning. So we went back in morning. Was the best breakfast of our entire vacation. Highly recommend. Will do the waterfall repelling next time we visit.
We had an awesome time!! The waves were super choppy and I was honestly kinda nervous, but our amazing guide Lino made me feel comfortable and we had a great conversation! He knows the ocean very well and we skipped the biggest waves. I was worried we wouldn't be able to see bioluminescence but it ended up being a great night for it! Absolutely incredible experience, I would absolutely book the trip. Ask for Lino if you can, he's awesome. Thanks Lino!!
It was like seeing stars in the water! Not quite as wild as the internet pictures but still beautiful and Lino was a fantastic guide and took us around the mangroves in our kayaks also. Also gave us coconut and watermelon on the beach. It was a great trip. Thanks so much Lino!
The pouring rain. Eating pineapple and coconuts on the beach. The bioluminescence bursting like stars in the water. Our guide who was so sweet and knowledgeable. Everything about this experience was excellent.
The guide was really nice and the bioluminescence was really beautiful. Thank you to Lino that answered so many questions and was very kind.
Firstly, we did a small mangroove tour (because the conditions were good) where we learned about different types of mangrooves. We really liked that Lino showed us a survivor trick - how to open a coconut with stick and then he shared the fruit with us explaining each part. The bioluminiscence was beautiful but it is not that strong in this place, so you can see it with eyes but you won’t be able to photo it (maybe only with a really good professional camera). We nevertheless enjoyed the tour very much!
Had an amazing time. Guide was excellent and the bioluminescence was out of this world. Would highly recommend this trip as it was a real highlight for me.
We loved the tour! Very nice staff, everyone makes a great effort. We saw a beautiful sunset with dolphins! The glow in the dark was also magical!
Bring goggles! We saw the bioluminescence from the surface but once we put on our masks, looked under the water and moved our hands, it was really amazing. Our guide was kind, informative and fun!
Wonderful tour!! This was our favorite thing we did in Costa Rica. The kayaking was fun and the view of the sunset from the water was beautiful. We really enjoyed the coconut and pineapple and the bioluminescence was just amazing. The best thing about the tour however was the guides. We had Lino and Hector and they were knowledgeable and fun and just so nice! We also really enjoyed learning about the stars and viewing them with the app on our phone (which we had no idea even existed). The tour was worth every penny. Definitely do this tour. We did wish that we had arrived earlier to enjoy the hamburgers at the cafe once we got there. They looked and smelled yummy.
When I booked my trip it switched to a different country and I was not able to change the booking. I lost out of all my money and I thought at least they could have given me a credit! I will never use this service again!
definitely a night we will never forget! be ready for an adventure! the bioluminescence was beautiful.
This was simply incredible, truly the highlight of my trip. The kayak into the mangroves was so peaceful and beautiful and Alberto the guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the creatures living there and the ecosystem. The lessons in tropical living with the pineapple and the coconut were great fun as we waited for the sun to go down. The bioluminescents were absolutely beautiful, and are the best in the whole of Costa rica
Alberto was a great guide, he had so much knowledge about everything and you could tell he was truly passionate about all the nature around him. He taught us how to crack coconuts and cut pineapple on the beach waiting for the sun to go down. Once dark, we swam in the bioluminescent which was a once in a lifetime experience. Alberto took us to the best places and showed us so much. Thank you!
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