Discover Spearfishing course

The unusual appeal here is that you are not simply watching Costa Rica’s Pacific coast from a boat. You learn how to select, stalk, and spear a fish, then head offshore near Flamingo to try it yourself. The afternoon combines a practical classroom lesson with a real open-water session, and the catch may become dinner.

I like the small-group limit of eight, which gives the instructor a better chance to explain equipment and safety before you leave shore. I also like that the price includes the full kit, boat transport from Tamarindo to Flamingo and back, fruit, drinks, and souvenir photos or video.

The main caution is the ocean itself. Pacific conditions can mean chop, current, or cloudy water, so you should be a confident swimmer and comfortable in open water. One unhappy customer felt left alone at sea, while the operator explained that the instructor normally gives a site briefing and works with buddy teams before supervising from the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• You start with a 1 p.m. classroom lesson in Tamarindo, covering equipment, technique, fish selection, and safety.
• The open-water session takes place near Flamingo, reached by shuttle from the school and followed by a boat trip.
• No previous spearfishing experience is required, but you must be at least 18 and able to swim.
• Your group can include up to eight people, a useful size for an introductory lesson.
• The ocean may be rough or murky, and basic comfort in open water matters more than prior spearfishing skill.
• The $192.10 price includes equipment, transport between the school and boat, drinks, fruit, and underwater photos or video.

Starting at 1 p.m. in Tamarindo

Your afternoon begins at Freedive Costa Rica, on the second floor of Centro Comercial Plaza Conchal in Tamarindo. The meeting time is 1 p.m., so arrive ready to get started with swimwear and sun protection already packed.

This is not a quick equipment handout. The first hour is devoted to the basics of spearfishing. You learn how the equipment works, how to handle a speargun safely, and how to choose and approach a fish. The instructor also explains the general methods used to move through the water and make a clean catch.

That classroom time matters. Spearfishing is not simply a matter of pointing a gun at a fish. You need to understand safe handling, breath control, fish choice, and how to work around other people in the water. For a first-timer, the lesson gives the activity some structure before you are standing on a boat with open water below.

The course is aimed at beginners, and previous spearfishing experience is not required. Several people with no earlier free-diving background still managed to catch fish, while other customers found the physical side demanding. You do not need to be an expert, but you should arrive comfortable in the water.

The shuttle from Tamarindo to Flamingo

At about 2 p.m., you leave the school by shuttle for Flamingo. Transport is included between the school and the boat, so you do not need to arrange your own ride for this part of the outing.

The transfer makes the schedule easy to follow. You meet at one place, learn the basics, then travel as a group to the departure point. The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Tamarindo.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If your accommodation is elsewhere, plan your own way to Centro Comercial Plaza Conchal and back. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the provided information does not specify a hotel transfer service.

Getting the full safety briefing before entering the water

Once you reach the boat and the open-water site, the instructor should give another briefing. This is where the general classroom advice becomes specific to the day’s conditions.

You should be told about the current, water depth, visibility, and the best area to fish. The operator’s stated procedure is to organize participants into buddy teams of two or three people. The instructor normally enters the water with the group at first, demonstrates technique, points out fish, and helps participants get started.

After that introduction, the instructor may return to the boat to keep watch over the group as a whole. The boat captain also plays an important safety role. The instructor can help reload spearguns, handle fish, and assist different buddy teams, but cannot remain beside one person for the entire session.

That arrangement is worth understanding before you book. This is an instructional introduction, not a one-to-one coaching session. If you need constant personal attention in the water, a private lesson would be a better question to ask about before paying.

One customer had a poor experience after feeling abandoned in the water, especially when a companion became uncomfortable and stayed on the boat. The operator apologized and explained that the usual procedure includes an on-site briefing, an initial period in the water, buddy teams, and supervision by the instructor and captain. The sensible takeaway is to confirm the day’s plan before you get in, and to speak up immediately if you feel uneasy.

Fishing near Flamingo

The boat takes you to open water near Flamingo, where conditions can change from one site to another. On some outings, the boat has moved between two locations after the first spot produced few fish. On others, fish appeared quickly near the reef.

That flexibility is a real benefit. If one location is quiet or visibility is poor, changing spots can give you a better chance. Still, there is no promise of clear water or a full catch. Pacific wind, waves, current, and murky conditions are part of the setting.

You may spend much of the session repeatedly preparing for a short underwater approach. Spearfishing asks for patience and effort, not just excitement. You may need to watch carefully, move slowly, and wait for the right fish rather than taking the first possible shot.

The physical side should not be underestimated. One person described the water as choppy and found it hard to move down through the waves. Another called the outing physically challenging but worthwhile. If you are not a strong swimmer, or if you dislike being away from shore in moving water, this may not be the right activity.

On the other hand, beginners have caught fish within the first half hour. Couples with no previous free-diving experience caught several fish, and other participants brought home multiple edible species. Results depend on conditions, your comfort in the water, and the luck of finding fish.

What happens to the catch

A particularly appealing part of the outing is the chance to take fish home for dinner. The guide may clean the catch, and the crew has sometimes allowed participants to keep some of the guide’s fish as well.

That does not mean every participant is guaranteed a fish. Your result depends on the conditions and your ability to handle the equipment. But the possibility of eating what you catch gives the activity a practical, local feel that a standard sightseeing cruise does not offer.

You should ask the crew about the day’s catch and what you may keep. Fish handling is part of the experience, and guides such as Miguel have been noted for cleaning the catch. The included fruit and drinks are useful during the session, but bring sun protection and swimwear, as those are specifically required items.

The instructors and boat crew

The experience is provided by Freedive Costa Rica, and several instructors have been praised for patience, clear instruction, and practical help. Aaron has been singled out for preparing first-timers well, while Guiterras has been described as a good instructor who kept safety in mind. Christian has helped participants locate fish, and Miguel has been praised for demonstrating technique and cleaning the catch.

You may not have any particular instructor on your date, so treat these names as an indication of the staff style rather than a guarantee. The quality of the day also depends on communication between the instructor and boat captain.

The captain matters more than you might expect. The boat is not just transport to the fishing site. It is the place where you return between attempts, where equipment can be adjusted, and where you receive support if you need a break. A strong captain helps keep the group organized and watches the water while the instructor works with participants.

What the $192.10 price includes

At $192.10 per person, this is not a bargain beach activity. It is priced as a half-day specialty outing with instruction, equipment, boat access, ground transport, refreshments, and photo or video souvenirs.

The included equipment is important because spearfishing requires more than a mask and fins. You receive the required diving and spearfishing gear, so you do not need to bring or rent the main equipment separately. Transport between the Tamarindo school and the Flamingo boat is also covered.

Photos or video of your underwater session add value, particularly if this is your first catch. You can focus on learning rather than trying to document the action yourself. Fruit and drinks are simple inclusions, but useful after time in the sun and water.

The value is strongest if you want an active lesson and a genuine attempt at catching fish. If you only want a relaxing boat ride, the price will feel high. If you are curious about spearfishing and would otherwise need to arrange instruction, equipment, transport, and a boat separately, the package is more reasonable.

The group limit of eight also helps. It is not a private charter, but it is small enough to keep the lesson manageable. Ask ahead if you want the smallest possible group on your date.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to adults who are confident swimmers, curious about spearfishing, and willing to work for the result. It suits solo visitors, couples, and friends who want something more active than a standard coastal tour.

You do not need prior experience. The course is built to introduce the sport, and the classroom instruction gives beginners a starting point. Still, you should be comfortable putting your face in the water, using fins and a mask, and operating in waves and current.

This is not a good match for someone who wants calm water, constant hand-holding, or a guaranteed catch. It is also unsuitable for anyone under 18, since the minimum age is 18.

The tour is available to most participants, but the most important requirement is not technical skill. It is confidence in open water. A free-diving lesson in advance is not required, although one customer recommended that preparation for anyone who wants to feel more at ease.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The outing is often reserved about 19 days ahead, so booking early is sensible if your Tamarindo dates are fixed.

You can cancel without penalty up to 24 hours before the 1 p.m. start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Bring swimwear and sun protection. The tour provides fruit and drinks, but hotel transport is not included, and tips for the crew are extra. Since the activity ends back at the meeting point, leave enough time afterward for the return trip to your accommodation.

Should you book the Tamarindo spearfishing course?

Book it if you want a hands-on Pacific coast activity, are comfortable in open water, and like the idea of catching food rather than simply looking at scenery. The strongest parts are the structured lesson, full equipment package, small group, chance to change fishing sites, and helpful boat crew.

Think twice if you are nervous in waves or need an instructor beside you every minute. Conditions can be choppy or murky, and the instructor must supervise the whole group rather than one person alone.

For the right participant, this is a memorable way to spend an afternoon near Tamarindo. Go in expecting instruction, effort, changing ocean conditions, and a chance rather than a promise of fish. That honest expectation is the key to getting good value from the $192.10 price.

FAQ

Where does the spearfishing course begin?

It begins at Freedive Costa Rica on the second floor of Centro Comercial Plaza Conchal in Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

What time does the activity start?

The meeting time is 1 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The course lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the open-water session take place?

You travel by shuttle from Tamarindo to Flamingo and board a boat there for the open-water session.

Is previous spearfishing experience required?

No. Previous spearfishing experience is not required.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 18.

How many people can join the activity?

The group has a maximum of eight participants.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Required spearfishing and diving equipment is included, along with transport between the school and boat, fruit, drinks, and souvenir photos or video.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point and return from there.