Stand Up Paddleboard in Damas Island Mangroves near Manuel Antonio
Go on a unique excursion through Damas Island mangroves on a stand up paddle! Spot monkeys and sloths from your board on the calm waters near Manuel Antonio!
Practical information
A 3-hour Stand Up Paddleboarding excursion through the calm, glass-flat waters of the Damas Island mangroves.
- Superior wildlife vantage point: standing allows for a better angle to spot sloths, monkeys, and anteaters in the canopy.
- Beginner-friendly environment: learn SUP fundamentals on perfectly calm estuary waters with expert instructor coaching (only 7 people per guide to ensure maximum safety)
- Silent eco-navigation: glide stealthily through narrow green tunnels and lagoons far from motorized boat traffic.
Course of events
Please allow 3 hours on site for the entire experience.
- Arrival at Paddle 9 offices in Quepos with your car (free parking available) or pick-up transfer from your hotel to Paddle 9
- Welcome at the base and meeting with the guide team
- Short drive to the private kayak launch site at Damas Island
- Safety briefing and explications on how to use the kayaks
- Launch into the calm, flat waters of the Paquita River channels (total time on water: 1 hr 45 min to 2 hrs)
- Guided exploration of winding lagoons and narrow mangrove tunnels (90 minutes)
- Wildlife spotting in the canopy (monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and tropical birds)
- Jungle refreshment break with fresh pineapple, watermelon, and water (20 minutes)
- Return paddle to the launch site (40 minutes)
- Gear down and return to your accomodation with your car or transportation back to your hotel
Activity requirements
Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
It is necessary to know how to swim to participate in this activity.
Signed waiver required. Safety briefing participation is mandatory. Life jacket must be worn.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the activity if not using the pickup service.
A minimum number of 2 participants is required for the activity to run.
Special terms
Time of the meeting point may vary depending on high tide.
Pick-up available from Quepos or Manuel Antonio (to be confirmed upon booking). You can also arrive to the meeting point on your own.
Pets are not permitted.
Activity is weather-dependent (itinerary may change).
Since wildlife is unpredictable, their presence is never guaranteed.
Spoken languages:
English, SpanishIncluded
- Certified naturalist guide
- Professional instructor
- Life jacket
- Stand Up Paddleboard and paddle
- Toilets
- Pick-up and drop-off from Manuel Antonio/Quepos
- Fresh fruit snacks and water
Excluded
- Photos
- Transportation fee for locations outside Manuel Antonio/Quepos
- Personal expenses
- Shower facilities
Do not forget to bring
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- Change of clothes
- Water shoes
- Towel
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Practical information
Meeting point:
Spoken languages:
English, SpanishCancellation: Flexible
Weather guarantee:
Free rescheduling or refund if the activity must be cancelled due to bad weather.100% Secure payment:
By credit card or PaypalA team of experts:
Here to assist you 7/7About the activity
The Damas Island Estuary is a biological cathedral where the rainforest canopy meets the tidal currents of the Pacific. Standing at full height on a paddleboard offers a superior vantage point, allowing you to peer directly into the underwater root systems and deep into the lush foliage above. This "nursery of the ocean" near Quepos is a labyrinth of red, black, and white mangroves, where the silence of your glide is only broken by the calls of tropical birds. The Paquita River channels provide a serene backdrop, where the massive root systems create natural green tunnels that feel worlds away from the busy beaches of Manuel Antonio.
This Stand Up Paddling session in the Damas Island mangroves is specifically designed for those seeking a tranquil, eco-friendly immersion. The estuary is completely protected from ocean swells, providing glass-flat water that serves as the perfect, stress-free environment for beginners to master their balance. Guided by certified local naturalists, you will navigate through winding lagoons where the stealthy nature of SUP allows for incredibly close encounters with wildlife. These expert guides are trained to track highly camouflaged residents, such as the elusive silky anteater, green iguanas, and the playful white-faced capuchin monkeys that frequent the branches hanging over the water.
High-quality, wide, and stable paddleboards are provided to ensure maximum comfort, along with Coast Guard-approved lifejackets. During the expedition, you will take a refreshment break in a shaded, peaceful alcove of the estuary. Here, you can rest your legs and enjoy fresh tropical pineapple and watermelon while soaking in the absolute silence of the mangrove forest. It is an educational journey into the heart of a vital ecosystem, led by an instructor team dedicated to safety and local biological knowledge.
The tour operates year-round, with start times shifting daily to align perfectly with the local high tide, ensuring the waterways are deep enough for exploration.
Book your stand up paddleboard safari in the Damas Island mangroves today and discover one of Costa Rica's most vital natural habitats!