About this tour
When Saskia from the crew hired Royal Charters' 51-foot Leopard yacht, we scored a proper floating playground on Costa Rica's coast. This isn't your cramped catamaran — it's a five-star vessel with four separate lounging zones, a full kitchen, four bedrooms, and enough deck space to actually move around. You get a captain, first mate, and chef on board for 4–8 hours, plus snorkel gear, paddleboards, fishing kit, and a stocked bar. It's the kind of day trip where you pull up to deserted beaches, jump in warm water, eat decent food, and genuinely forget you're near civilisation.
Highlights
- Massive foredeck sun pad — actually spacious, not sardine-tin cramped
- Chef cooks aboard; fresh meals and snacks included, not sad packed sandwiches
- Snorkel, paddleboard, fish, or float on the mat without extra hire fees
- Four distinct entertainment zones mean no fighting over deck real estate
- Fully stocked bar and Bluetooth stereo for proper ambiance
- Captain steers to quieter beaches most day-trippers miss
- Four bedrooms option for small groups wanting overnight escape
What to expect
You'll board a proper yacht — not a fishing boat posing as luxury. There's a salon with panoramic windows, covered lounge areas, an outdoor dining setup, and enough shade to avoid heat death. The captain will take you to snorkel sites with actual visibility and fish; Saskia said the marine life was solid without feeling like a zoo. Watersports are genuinely included — snorkel gear, paddleboards, and a floating mat for lounging — so you're not nickel-and-dimed. The chef serves proper meals and snacks; think better than resort buffet, not fine dining, but genuinely good.
The pace is relaxed. You're not herded on and off boats every 20 minutes. Saskia spent hours at one beach, swimming and paddleboarding while the crew prepped lunch. The yacht rocks gently enough that even prone-to-seasickness crew members were fine in calm waters. Peak times (dry season, weekends) book up; go shoulder season if you want fewer boats and better prices. Fishing gear is on board if that's your vibe.
What travellers say
- Genuinely spacious yacht with multiple lounging zones and zero cramping
- Food and bar included without upsell; chef cooks fresh aboard
- Watersports gear (snorkel, paddleboard, floats) no extra cost
- Captain finds quieter snorkel sites, avoids package-tour crowds
- All-day vibe; no rushing between photo stops and souvenir shops
- Gratuity and towels not included; add those costs upfront
- Early starts standard; not ideal for hardcore sleep-ins
- Rough Atlantic swells can cause motion sickness on choppy days
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is worth it if you're a small group (friends, families, couples) wanting a full day at sea without the chaos of larger tour boats. The all-inclusive food and watersports mean no hidden costs. Suitable for all fitness levels — you can sunbathe the whole time if you want. Overnight charters (using the four bedrooms) are an option for groups wanting something special.
Gratuity isn't included, so budget for tipping the crew. You need to bring your own sunscreen (non-aerosol only — no spray bottles) and towels. Early morning departures are standard. Motion sickness is possible in rough Atlantic-side swells, though Pacific charters are usually calmer. Group size affects vibe — eight people is cosy; more feels crowded. Book ahead; these fill up months out in high season.
Duration runs 4–8 hours depending on package. Meals, booze, watersports gear, fishing kit, and WiFi included. Not included: tips, towels, sunscreen. All fitness levels welcome. Peak season: December–April.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.