Kayaking Tours Near Me at Isla Damas Mangroves

Calm Mangrove Waters

Unique Wildlife

Family-friendly Activity

Paddle in One of Costa Rica’s Most Diverse Ecosystems

Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow along salt or brackish water. They have tangles of exposed roots, which allow them to withstand changing water tides. Mangroves help reduce erosion and their complex root systems attract fish and other animals seeking nutrients and shelter. For this reason the Isla Damas mangroves are one of Costa Rica’s most eco-diverse areas and are vital for the preservation of many wildlife species. Come meet the variety of creatures that call this island home while navigating the tight quarters of the mangroves on our eco-friendly paddle boards!

Why Book With Paddle 9?

See white-faced capuchin monkeys, iguanas and a plethora of bird species

The gentle waters of the Isla Damas Mangroves make paddling easy so you can focus on taking in the spectacular wildlife all around you

Our informative local guides will teach you all you ever wanted to know about this unique Costa Rican island and the ecosystem it supports

Trip Details

Pricing & Logistics

Price

$75 per person
$50 per person (child 9 years or younger)
+ 13% sales tax

Departure time

Dependent on high tide, please contact us to schedule

Meeting point

The Paddle 9 tour office in Quepos or we can provide transportation from anywhere in Quepos or Manuel Antonio.

Pickups outside of Quepos or Manuel Antonio are available for an additional cost. For more information or to schedule a pick up outside of these areas, please contact us.

Availability

Available daily, all year round*

*Tide permitting

Duration

3.5 hours

Group size

2 person minimum – 16 person maximum

Included

Transportation
Snacks
Water
Certified guide
All gear

Not included

Picture package (available at an extra cost)
Guide gratuity

What to bring

Sandals or flip flops
Towel
Sunscreen
Bug spray

Trip Overview

This half-day tour starts when we pick you up from your accommodations in Manuel Antonio or Quepos before heading to the mangroves for your Isla Damas paddleboard tour. Nature and wildlife are in abundance on this tour. We will be on the lookout for monkeys, birds, marine wildlife, and reptiles. You will also learn all about the mangrove tree species and why the ecosystem is so important to Costa Rica. This tour is great for all ages and levels, it is very easy to paddle the Isla Damas mangroves as the water is very calm.

Good to Know

Please advise us of any health conditions, recent injuries (especially back, neck or shoulder surgeries) or medical procedures that could affect your tour experience. Let us know about pregnancy, back pains, and any walking as well as dietary restrictions or preferences.

We have two rules at Paddle 9: 1) Be safe! and 2) Have serious fun! Paddle 9 prides itself in running safe tours and transport with the best logistics and safety procedures in the industry. Our guides and staff are well-trained in emergency situations and take your safety very seriously. Should an accident occur, we are covered by a comprehensive umbrella liability insurance policy.

Have more questions? You can check out our FAQ page.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It!

					Had the best experience at Naucaya Waterfall with the most wonderful tour guides— Ken, Alejandro, Gustavo, and Hiace! They were super nice and extremely knowledgeable, always pointing out different wildlife and vegetation! They paced the tour perfectly, allowing time to enjoy the scenery but never dragging on. After the hiking and swimming the chicken and rice lunch was delicious!
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Amy McLaughlin
3/04/2025
					Ken, Tyler and Roberto (Rista) were phenomenal tour guides. Not only did they provide us with a SAFE waterfal jumping experience but they also provided us with great information about Costa Rica 🇨🇷. The lunch was out of this world! Mike did a great job of capturing our adventures on film. Well worth the cost of the excursion. Highly recommend it!
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Gail FreidhoffBohman
2/27/2025
					We used Paddle 9 for an all day tour to Nauyaca Falls. Pick up was timely and Carlos, Roberto and Tyler showed us just the most incredible time! We visited the upper falls first and enjoyed the refreshing waters after the beautiful short hike to get there. We enjoyed a fresh pineapple snack before heading to the lower falls. Tyler and Roberto let us each figure out our own comfort levels of enjoying the falls. A few of us chose to swim right up to the falls and they made sure we had good and perfect footing for sitting on the rocks under the falls. Definitely a highlight of mine! The next highlight was watching Tyler and Roberto cliff dive 30' off the falls! Truly incredible to watch! They not only watched out for us but we watched the care Roberto provided for someone in a different group that fell and got injured. He made sure to help her get safely out of the water. Not only that but another older woman got overwhelmed on the trail. He made sure she wasn't left behind and arranged a ride out for her. Such care is not found in many companies. I'd choose Paddle 9 for any excursions in Manuel Antonio! PS~lunch with fresh blackberry juice at the end was awesome!
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Tammy Rinaldi
2/27/2025