Snorkelling
Although nothing like the coral reefs of the Caribbean coast, there are a number of nice snorkelling areas along the coast north and south of Playa Junquillal. Here are some options.
​
Playa Blanca is just a 7-10 minute walk from Casa Bella Tortuga and is a little known secluded gems that can have good snorkelling on the incoming tide. As the tide comes in it fills the tide pools of Playa Blanca it brings feeding fish to the black lava rock that protects this beach. Playa Blanca does not have surfing so snorkelers and tide pool waders rule! As with most of Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, the beach can get a little rough in the rainy season. The best snorkelling is during the dry season (December to May) when the sea's aren't too rough and the waters are clear.
​
San Juanillo is a beautiful, protected, white sand beach with clear turquoise and snorkelling in it's shallow benches. The road from Playa Junquillal to San Juanillo can be a little rough so 4X4 is recommended.
​
Drive 15 minutes further south to the turtle sanctuary at Playa Ostional.
To the North
About an hour north of Casa Bella Tortuga, you can find a number of snorkelling options in the Playa Potrero/Las Catalinas area. An if you venture further north another 30 minutes to Playa del Cocos and Playa Hermosa there are even more options. You can snorkel off the rocky outcrops at the north end of Playa Hermosa but your best best is the secluded Playa Pobre Calzon. You'll need to park your car and walk down to the beach about 500m. You can always hire a local boat guide to bring you out to the Catalinas and a variety of snorkelling and scuba diving areas.
Not to be confused with the Playa Junquillal near Casa Bella Tortuga, this area 2.5-hours north is an off-the-beaten-track snorkeler’s paradise. Mostly known as a birdwatcher’s dream, this area is peppered with coastal mangroves and bursting with sea (and land) life, the reserve is a gorgeous place in which to spend a whole day drenched in nature along a stunning 1.5-mile long sandy beach where you can swim and snorkel at leisure.
