An uninhabited Costa Rican jewel in the Gulf of Nicoya — pure white sand, coconut palms, and calm turquoise water await. Ships anchor offshore; this is a true tender-to-beach experience.
There is no pier on Tortuga Island — all cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers directly to the beach.
💡 Pro move: Large ships (Carnival, Princess, Celebrity) typically dock at Puntarenas on the mainland and run catamaran excursions to the island — check your itinerary. Small-ship and expedition lines (Star Clippers, Windstar) anchor directly off the island.
Tortuga Island has no pier — access is exclusively by tender or excursion boat.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small/expedition ships (Star Clippers, Windstar) | Anchored off Isla Tortuga📍 | Tendered |
| Large cruise ships (Carnival, Princess, Celebrity) | Dock at Puntarenas pier on mainland; catamaran to island📍 | Tendered |
Nearly everything here revolves around the water — snorkel, dive, paddle, or simply claim a patch of white sand.
The main beach is pure vacation fantasy: soft white sand, calm warm water, coconut palms, and a thatch-roofed bar serving Coco Locos and Imperial beer. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent.
Book Tortuga Island beach tours →The best snorkeling is off the volcanic rock outcroppings just offshore. Boat tours take you to spot angelfish, porcupine fish, moray eels, and occasional sea turtles in clear Pacific water.
Find snorkeling tours →The waters off Tortuga Island hold several deliberately sunken shipwrecks — including the Franklin Chang Díaz (a former Coast Guard vessel sunk in 2004) and the Caroline Star — now artificial reefs teeming with marine life. A must for certified divers.
Find Tortuga Island scuba tours →The sheltered, glassy water makes this one of Costa Rica's best spots for paddling. Rentals available directly on the beach by the hour.
Find kayak rentals →Green iguanas, tropical birds, and coatis roam freely, and white-faced capuchin monkeys are sometimes seen. A forest trail climbs from the beach into the hills for Gulf of Nicoya views — steep and can be slippery.
Find wildlife tours →Large-ship passengers take a high-speed catamaran (75–90 min each way) from Puntarenas. Most include live music, rum punch, snorkeling gear, and a buffet lunch — the journey itself is half the fun.
Book Tortuga Island catamaran tours →The island is small and traffic-free — everything worth seeing is a short stroll along the beach or a short hike into the forest.
Walk the length of the main white-sand beach from the tender landing to the far end. Watch for iguanas sunning on the sand and birds in the palms.
📍 Open in MapsA trail heads uphill from the beach into dry tropical forest with views over the Gulf of Nicoya. Can be slippery — bring good shoes and go early before the heat peaks.
📍 Open in MapsTransport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the beach. No independent dock access — arrival is via the cruise line tender or a booked day tour.
All-inclusive catamaran tours depart from Puntarenas, Jacó, or Los Sueños Marina and typically include breakfast, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and return transport.
Private boat charters can be arranged through local operators for small groups seeking a more exclusive experience on the island.
Upcoming cruises that call at Tortuga Island, Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.