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

$80 per person
+ 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!

					My family and I had an incredible experience with Paddle 9 and their waterfall tour. The guides made everyone feel safe the entire time leading up to some really fun jumps off beautiful waterfalls. It was so much fun, we would love to go again next time in CR.
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Matthew Devine
8/31/2026
					MUST DO IN MANUEL ANTONIO! I would absolutely do this again!! Alex & Mike were THE BEST!! They made us feel so welcomed, we’re so knowledgeable about Costa Rica, & made us feel safe. out of the 5 tours we did, this was our favorite!
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Kathryn Price
8/22/2026
					Paddle 9 Costa Rica — An Amazing Experience!We had an absolutely amazing experience with Paddle 9 over two days, and I can’t recommend them enough!Our first day was at Manuel Antonio National Park with Cory, who was incredibly knowledgeable, relaxed, patient, kind, and right on time for pickup. We got lucky and saw so much wildlife, and Cory made the whole experience fun and enjoyable.The next day, my 10-year-old daughter and I did the waterfall cliff-jumping tour, and it was unforgettable! We visited three different waterfalls with Alex, and Ken and Alonso. Our photographer was Lorena and our driver was Gummi. Everyone was wonderful, and their English was excellent.My daughter was nervous at first, but she ended up doing EVERY jump — including the 30-foot jump! The trails to some of the cliff were challenging, but the guides were with us every step of the way, making us feel incredibly safe. They were encouraging and patient while we waited for each jump and never pressured us.I also have to give a huge shout-out to Lorena. I normally don’t purchase tour photos because they can be so expensive, but she did such an amazing job that I couldn’t resist. She even captured videos and slowed down the jumps, which looked SO cool! They were absolutely worth it.The guides were also incredibly accommodating with our phones and cameras. They let us bring them along and kept them safely in dry bags between waterfalls. I’m pretty sure I asked for my phone in and out of that bag a thousand times, and they never once seemed annoyed — just patient and helpful every single time!One thing that really stood out to us was how much Paddle 9 cares about recycling, protecting the environment, and preserving Costa Rica. They also taught us a bit about Costa Rica in between each stop. You could tell how proud they were of their country and how much they genuinely care teaching about it and taking care of it.Most importantly, we felt completely safe, welcomed, and cared for the entire time. Everyone we met was genuinely kind and fun to be around.If you’re considering booking an adventure in Costa Rica, book with Paddle 9! My daughter and I had an incredible experience, and we would absolutely use them again. 🇨🇷❤️
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Lauren Coker
8/16/2026