Let nature hold you, let your spirit rise
Go deep, get rooted
You've found Ikara Explore.
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Where every journey is a return
To stillness, to presence, to what holds
And to the adventures that unfold
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Rooted in the rhythms of nature
We guide you through coastlines bathed in morning light
mangrove corridors where silence speaks
and glowing waters that awaken under the stars
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Not to impress, but to reconnect
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​​​​With the wild
with the wonder
with the roots.
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Discover your next adventure
Golfo Dulce Sunrise Kayaking & Coffee
First light, first breath, a dawn ceremony
Mangrove Kayak Preciosa - Platanares Wildlife Refugee
Slip into a world shaped by water, roots, and silence.
Sunset Kayaking & Bioluminescence - Golfo Dulce
Where the ocean glows, life begins.
Birdwatching Kayak - Golfo Dulce Wetlands
Snorkel & Kayaking - Golfo Dulce Coastline
A journey betwen two world,.
Multiday Kayak & Camping - Golfo Dulce Expedition
An adventure into the wild heart of Gofo Dulce.
Glide into a morning shaped by wings, water and wonder,
About us
​Ikara Explore was born from three kayaks, a cart, and a conviction:
That nature, when shared with respect and presence, brings us back to what is essential.
​We are passionate naturalist guides who specialize in creating immersive experiences in the coastal and forest ecosystems of southern Costa Rica, through silent kayak explorations, early morning paddles, interpretive trails, and nights lit by bioluminescence.
We design experiences for travelers who want to go deeper, who want to feel the pulse of the mangroves, listen to birds at sunrise, float in glowing waters, and awaken their senses with every paddle stroke.
We are a team that loves paddling slowly, listening to our surroundings, and sharing authentic experiences with people.
We follow the path of conscious travel, moving gently, connecting with intention, and sharing places that still whisper with the wild.
These are the hidden corners of the Osa Peninsula, and we are honored to call them home.
What We Offer
Comfortable Basecamp
Shaded meeting point, clean facilities, private parking, and a peaceful launch by the water.
Small Groups, Big Connection
We listen to the rhythms of nature and minimize our impact with every stroke.
Expert Naturalist Guides
Professional guides who share their knowledge with passion and care.
Local Snack Experience
Our ‘surprise snack’ features local flavors while supporting community producers.
Stable Kayaks & Quality Gear
Lightweight and easy to handle. Designed to glide gently and quietly through water.
Safety & Peace of Mind
We operate with full insurance and comply with all Costa Rican regulations.
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Designed for your comfort and safety, guided by presence, respect, and a deep connection to nature.
What We Offer
Comfortable Basecamp
Shaded meeting point, clean facilities, private parking, and a peaceful launch by the water.
Expert Naturalist Guides
Professional guides who share their knowledge with passion and care.
Stable Kayaks & Quality Gear
Lightweight and easy to handle. Designed to glide gently and quietly through water.
Small Groups, Big Connection
We listen to the rhythms of nature and minimize our impact with every stroke.
Local Snack Experience
Our ‘surprise snack’ features local flavors while supporting community producers.
Safety & Peace of Mind
We operate with full insurance and comply with all Costa Rican regulations.
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Designed for your comfort and safety, guided by presence, respect, and a deep connection to nature.
Golfo Dulce Sunrise Kayaking & Coffee
Step into a morning shaped by stillness, light, and awakening.
This is a journey that begins in the dark, when the stars still watch over the sea, and the world holds its breath. With each paddle stroke, the water begins to glow with color.
First light, first birdsong, and the first breath of a new day.
Here we don’t rush. We receive.
The gift of a rising sun. The quiet company of the ocean. And the warmth of a first sip of coffee, shared with the wind, the tide, and the moment itself.
Itinerary
We begin paddling under the stars, with the gulf still wrapped in silence.
On moonless nights, bioluminescent waters sparkle before dawn, a fleeting gift that lights our strokes.
As the horizon shifts from darkness to light, colors unfold across the water and the wild world begins to stir.
We receive the rising sun from our kayaks, coffee in hand, carried by the quiet rhythm of the ocean.
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We pause on a quiet beach for breakfast and time to relax by the shore, returning renewed — ready to begin the day with intention.
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Details
Price: $65 USD (min 2 participants)
Starting time: 4:00 am​
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Meeting point: Corcovado Beach Lodge.
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Location: Preciosa–Platanares Wildlife Refuge.
Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
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Level: Easy / Suitable for beginners
Includes: Kayak & gear, certified guide, dry bag, beach side breakfast, fresh fruit, surprise local snack
What to Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, sandals or water shoes
Mangrove Experience,
Preciosa-Platanares Wild Life Refuge.
This is a journey through one of nature’s most fascinating and essential ecosystems, the mangroves.
With each paddle stroke, you’ll glide deeper into a realm where land meets sea, where stillness holds life, and where time seems to slow.
Here, every breath is a conscious glide. We listen. To birdsong echoing in the canopy. To the quiet strength of roots anchoring land and soul. To the pulse of an ecosystem teeming with hidden life.
It's a calm reminder that nature set the rhythms.
Itinerary
We set off paddling from our base, gliding toward the calm waters of the Platanares River.
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As the mangroves embrace us, we move slowly and pause to listen, surrounded by roots and branches that breathe between land and sea.
In silence, the creatures we encounter reveal themselves, each one sustained by the mangroves and their remarkable strategies to endure.
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We pause on a quiet beach to enjoy fresh fruit and a surprise local snack, with time to relax before following the tide back.
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We return with a quiet sense of connection, carrying the calm strength of the mangroves within us.
Details
Price: $55 USD p.p (min 2 participants)
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Starting time: Depends on tide conditions.
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Meeting point: Corcovado Beach Lodge.
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Location: Preciosa–Platanares Wildlife Refuge.
Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours.
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Level: Easy / Suitable for beginners.
Includes: Kayak & gear, certified guide, dry bag, fresh fruit, surprise local snack.
What to Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, sandals or water shoes.
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Bioluminescence Experience
Golfo Dulce
When night falls, the Golfo Dulce reveals its secret language, a whisper of light flowing through the water.
Tiny plankton, the foundation of life in the sea, awaken with every movement, turning the darkness into a living constellation that glows all around you.
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This tour invites you to experience Golfo Dulce in its most magical form, watching the sunset fade into twilight, learning about its rich flora and fauna, and feeling the wonder of bioluminescent life as you enter the water.
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In that tranquil glow, the ocean feels closer, reminding us that where the sea shines, life begins.
![2-20240803_172829[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009b60_6b1e47c735904d498dbd42e79f67c7ca~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_1105,y_0,w_1492,h_1504/fill/w_235,h_237,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/2-20240803_172829%5B1%5D.jpg)
Itinerary
We set off in the late afternoon, gliding over the calm of Golfo Dulce as the last light fades.
On shore, there is time to swim or walk the sand while the guide prepares fresh fruit to share with the last colors of the day before night falls.
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Once darkness settles, we slip back into the water, each movement igniting a glow, blue sparks rising from every stroke.
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After immersing in this quiet spectacle, we return across waters still whispering with light.
Details
Price: $55 USD p.p (min 2 participants)
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Starting time: 4:15 pm. (​by lunar Cycle)
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Meeting point: Corcovado Beach Lodge.
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Location: Preciosa–Platanares Wildlife Refuge.
Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
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Level: Easy / Suitable for beginners
Includes: Kayak & gear, certified guide, dry bag, fresh fruit, surprise local snack
What to Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, sandals or water shoes
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Kayak & Snorkel Experience
Golfo Dulce Coastline
This is a journey between two worlds, the one we glide across and the one that opens beneath the surface.
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We follow a stretch of coastline shaped by forest, ocean, and time where solitary beaches and untouched landscapes unfold, interrupted only by the quiet presence of something wild.
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Beneath the surface, a different realm awakens. Vibrant fish move through patches of growing coral, revealing the serene complexity of marine life, a living mosaic in constant renewal.
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This is an invitation to move slowly, observe deeply, and let the ocean remind you of its vastness.
Itinerary
​We set off at sunrise, paddling along the wild coastline of Golfo Dulce. The morning light reveals secluded beaches and lush forest slopes, where the richness of biodiversity surrounds us at every stroke.
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Reaching our destination, we anchor the kayaks and slip into the water. With mask and fins, we explore reefs where new coral colonies are forming, alive with the movement of tropical fish.
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After snorkeling, we pause on a quiet beach to enjoy a picnic-style lunch, with time to rest and take in the horizon. Finally, we return to our base by land transportation.
Details
Price: $65 USD p.p (min 2 participants)
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Starting time: 6:00 am​
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Meeting point: Corcovado Beach Lodge.
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Location: Preciosa–Platanares Wildlife Refuge.
Duration: Approximately 5 hours
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Level: Easy/medium
Includes: Kayak & gear, certified guide, dry bag, fresh fruit, surprise local snack
What to Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, sandals or water shoes
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Birdwatching & kayak
Golfo Dulce - Wetlands
Step into a morning shaped by wings, water, and wonder.
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From the seat of a kayak, you move silently through mangroves, estuarine inlets, and coastal forest edges, places where birds rise with the sun and the day begins in song.
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Resident and migratory, soaring and wading, they gather here for food, for shelter, and for the rhythm of life itself.
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We come not to chase, but to observe, to listen, and to appreciate the quiet grace of wings in motion.
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Each sighting tells a story. Each call carries meaning.
Together, they remind us that birds are not just part of this place; they help hold it together.
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Itinerary
We set off in the calm of the morning, paddling slowly along mangrove channels and coastal edges where the day comes alive with birdsong.
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Moving quietly through the water, we may spot herons and kingfishers in the estuaries, scarlet macaws and flycatchers in the forest canopies, and pelicans, frigatebirds, and hawks along the coast, among many other species that thrive where ecosystems meet.
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We pause on a quiet shore to rest, share fresh fruit, and take in the landscape before returning with the morning still unfolding around us.
Details
Price: $65 USD p.p (min 2 participants)
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Starting time: 5:15 am.
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Meeting point: Corcovado Beach Lodge.
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Location: Preciosa–Platanares Wildlife Refuge.
Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
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Level: Easy
Includes: Kayak & gear, certified guide, dry bag, fresh fruit, surprise local snack
What to Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, sandals or water shoes
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Multi-day Kayak & Camping
Experience 3 days 2 nights
An adventure into the wild heart of Golfo Dulce.
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This journey is for those who feel the call.
​For those who seek more than landscapes, who seek belonging.
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For three days, we follow the coastline, through mangroves, river mouths, wild forests, and remote beaches that few ever reach.
​​We hike through rainforest trails, paddle on glassy waters, snorkel coral gardens, and pause to quietly observe life in the canopy and the sea.
Days unfold in movement and discovery, nights are spent on wild shores, with the sound of waves, the forest close behind, and under skies flooded with stars.
Here, adventure is not just movement, it’s transformation.
​You won’t return the same. Something will have taken root.
Perhaps a question, maybe a certainty.
Whatever it is, it will be yours. And it will keep growing.
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Itinerary
Day 1
We paddle through Golfo Dulce, crossing its calm waters until we reach a secluded beach on the opposite shore. Here we set up camp, swim, or explore nearby before dinner by the fire and a night under the stars.
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Day 2
The day unfolds at a gentle pace: snorkeling vibrant reefs, trying artisanal fishing, and taking short forest walks that reveal the richness of the coastline. Evening brings another shared meal and the quiet rhythm of nature.
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Day 3
After breakfast, we break camp and begin the paddle back across the gulf. Each stroke carries the memory of sea, forest, and campfires, until we return to base with the journey still echoing within us.
Details
Duration: 3days / 2 nights.
Includes: sea kayaks, paddles, and safety equipment, snorkel gear camping gear (tents, mats), all meals and snacks (picnic, lunches, camp dinners, fresh fruit), local guide with naturalist expertise
Activities: Gulf crossing by kayak, Snorkeling coral reefs, Artisanal fishing experience, short forest walks, and wildlife spotting. Beach camping under the stars.
What to Bring: Comfortable clothes, for paddling and camping, swimwear, towel, Lightweight shoes or sandals for land walks.
Level: Medium
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Our Galleries
![20250329_064848[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009b60_5091b445a96b4696a4bfee4ca86e40d0~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_100,w_4080,h_1591/fill/w_480,h_182,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/20250329_064848%5B1%5D.jpg)
![7-IMG_7760[2].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009b60_4001203646fc48d0b6904cf820b4c5be~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_773,w_3737,h_1454/fill/w_480,h_182,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/7-IMG_7760%5B2%5D_JPG.jpg)
Voices of the forest
lnto the first light
The ocean’s giant breath
Share joy and open waters
Flavors by the sea
Companions of the gulf
![IMG_7583[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009b60_a22b72acd02a430690008b066485315b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_823,w_2706,h_1053/fill/w_480,h_182,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_7583%5B1%5D_edited.jpg)
![IMG_7039[1].JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009b60_2b443445a4c94560931073ebe63a08cd~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_66,y_884,w_2990,h_1166/fill/w_480,h_182,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_7039%5B1%5D_JPG.jpg)
A tireless swimmmer
The quiet soul of the forest
Colors in flight
Dancing with the tides
Where the roots meet the water
First light, first coffee
![IMG_8879[1]_edited_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009b60_57ca1b5a525a4f43b0d3b54ba304cc67~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_314,w_3000,h_1169/fill/w_480,h_182,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_8879%5B1%5D_edited_edited.jpg)
![5-20250322_060511[2]_edited_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009b60_cd22be1f49f34f4da4d1fb76f087dc84~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_87,y_274,w_2375,h_925/fill/w_480,h_182,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/5-20250322_060511%5B2%5D_edited_edited.jpg)
Glowing nights
Ocean Encounters
Grace in motion
Life in the canopy
Early paddle by the coast
Exploring the mangrove channels
Stories and Comunity
Moments that live beyond the paddles...
Voices from travelers who paddled with us, moments of joy and connection.
Quiet notes from the water, moments and reflections to slow down and be present.
Alongside local allies, we protect culture, livelihoods, and the land we share.
Voices of the journey
(Guest´s Reviews)
Oleana & Thomas - TripAdvisor Apr. 2025
"Bioluminescence at 4am, dolphins at sunrise, coffee on the water , an unforgettable morning filled with magic and wonder."
Bla b - TripAdvisor Aug. 2025
"Mangrove and bioluminescence both magical. Gabriel shared his deep knowledge and passion, making the tour unforgettable. Even in the rain, every drop lit up the ocean with blue sparks"
Marc - Andre - TripAdvisor Aug. 2025
"A magical night of bioluminescence. Gabriel guided us with care and shared the stories behind Costa Rica’s biodiversity. Safe, thoughtful, and deeply meaningful"
Every journey leaves ripples in the water, and voices in our memory
Chronicles of the Water
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​The Turtle’s Path​
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In the middle of our paddle across Golfo Dulce, we noticed a shell floating on the water. At first, we couldn’t tell what it was, just a shape adrift. We thought of approaching, but the shell was already swimming towards us. It was a green turtle.
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She passed right beside us, as if we were simply standing in the middle of her path. She lifted her head for air, looked at us briefly, and kept flapping forward.
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Excited, we would have liked to follow her, to stretch the moment a little longer. But it wasn’t necessary. In those few seconds, her eyes flooded us with peace, leaving us with the lesson of the day: to embrace the moment just as it is.
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Then she moved away, swimming with the serenity of a tireless swimmer, until her shell disappeared into the horizon, leaving only her wake and a trace of hope.
Rooted in Community
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Travel that leaves something good behind.​
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We paddle these waters as part of the community that cares for them.
Ikara Explore collaborates with local families and initiatives, ensuring that each experience supports livelihoods, culture, and the natural heritage of Puerto Jiménez.
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What this looks like in practice
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Fair partnerships: transparent rates and shared value with our local allies.
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Local flavor, real people: our surprise snack comes from family kitchens, bringing authentic taste to the journey.
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Learning together: occasional nature talks with schools and youth groups.
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Light footprint: refill water, minimal plastics, and respect for wildlife.
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How guests can join
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Bring a refillable bottle, choose local when you dine, share your photos, and tag small businesses you meet.
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Together, we keep these roots alive. Pura vida!
Contact & Policies
Let’s plan your adventure together
Address
Puerto Jimenez, Puntarenas, Península de Osa
Contact
Contact us on WhatsApp
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am – 7:00 pm
​Sunday
9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Policies
Every journey begins with trust. These policies are designed to protect your experience, honor the environment, and ensure that every step is guided by respect and clarity.
Reservations & Payment​
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Please book at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible.
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Last-minute bookings may be accommodated depending on availability. We recommend confirming via WhatsApp.
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Start times depend on tides and conditions; we’ll confirm the exact time and meeting point in advance.
Cancellations & Refunds
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Cancellations must be made between 48 and 24 hours before the tour.
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Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour may incur penalties or result in no refund.
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No-shows cannot be refunded.
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For safety reasons, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a tour if weather or conditions make it unsafe. In such cases, guests may choose a new date or receive a full refund.​
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Safety & Responsibility
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All participants must sign a waiver before starting.
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Children are welcome under the responsibility of their parents. For kids under 5, please ask us for recommendations.
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Please be in adequate physical condition for paddling.
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.​For everyone’s safety, participation is not allowed under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Additional Notes
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Group size is limited to keep the experience personal (max. 7 guests per guide).
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Please bring a reusable water bottle and avoid single-use plastics.
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We encourage respect for nature and local communities throughout the experience.
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Moderate rain is not a cause for cancellation — tours continue unless conditions are unsafe.