Can you kayak if you can’t swim?

Plenty of travelers who never learned to swim want to paddle through a mangrove forest, and then talk themselves out of it. You do not need to be a swimmer to join a guided kayak tour in the Tamarindo Estuary. You do need a properly fitted life jacket, calm water, a guide who knows you are not a swimmer and a little preparation. Here is what to expect, without sugar-coating it.

Why the estuary is a good place to start

• Calm, protected water. The kayak tour runs in the mangrove channels, away from the surf. There are no waves to manage.
• A life jacket for everyone. It is mandatory and included, along with the kayak and paddle, and you wear it buckled the whole time.
• A short lesson first. Before you launch, the guide explains how to sit, how to hold the paddle and how to turn and stop. No experience is needed.
• A guide close by. The group paddles together, at an easy pace, and the guide keeps everyone in sight.

The life jacket: how it should fit

A life jacket only works if it fits. When the guide hands you one:

1. Put it on and close every buckle or zipper.
2. Tighten the straps until it feels snug but lets you breathe comfortably.
3. Ask someone to pull it up firmly by the shoulders. If it slides up past your chin or ears, it is too loose: tighten it or ask for another size.

Keep it on from the moment you get in the kayak until you are back on land, even if you get hot. That is the whole point of it.

What to tell us when you book

This is the most important step, and it only takes a message. When you book or contact us, let us know:

• That someone in the group cannot swim or is afraid of the water. No one will judge you; it helps the guide plan and stay closer.
• Any medical condition that matters on the water: heart or breathing problems, back or shoulder injuries, recent surgery, pregnancy, seizures or medication that makes you dizzy.
• The ages of children and whether everyone is under the 120 kg maximum per person for the kayak.

If, after hearing your situation, the kayak does not seem like a good fit, we will tell you honestly and suggest the boat.

Getting in and out of the kayak

Most of the wobbling happens in these two moments, not while paddling. The guide holds the kayak steady and talks you through it:

1. Keep your weight low and centered. Crouch rather than stand.
2. Hold both sides of the kayak with your hands.
3. Sit down first, in the middle of the seat, then bring your legs in one at a time.
4. Once seated, stay seated. Never stand up in the kayak.

To get out, wait for the guide's signal, swing your legs out one at a time, keep your hands on the sides and stand up slowly.

If you fall in

Capsizing on calm water is uncommon, but if it happens, this is the plan:

1. Let the life jacket float you. It will bring you to the surface and keep your head out of the water. You do not have to swim.
2. Breathe and lean back. Panic is the real danger, not the water. Slow breaths help you think.
3. Hold on to the kayak or the paddle. Do not try to climb back in on your own.
4. Listen to the guide. The guide comes right away, steadies the kayak and tells you step by step how to get back in.

Because crocodiles live in the estuary, the guide's route and rules are designed to keep you in your kayak and away from the muddy banks. Read kayaking near crocodiles in Tamarindo to see how that works.

Small habits that keep you upright

• Sit in the middle of the seat and keep your back straight.
• Do not lean far over the side to take a photo or grab something from the water.
• Move slowly when you turn your body to look at an animal.
• Do not grab branches or roots to pull yourself along.
• Keep your phone in a dry bag or zip bag so you are not tempted to save it in a hurry.

For clothing and shoes, see what to wear kayaking in Costa Rica and our packing list for the estuary tours.

Prefer not to paddle? Take the boat

If the idea of being at water level makes you anxious, there is nothing to prove. The Tamarindo Estuary boat tour goes through the same mangrove forest in a covered boat. You stay seated, you do not paddle, life jackets are included and it is suitable for all ages. It lasts about two hours and costs $35 per person. A family can also split up: the adventurous ones take the kayak, the rest take the boat, and everyone compares photos afterward. Our guide to boat or kayak can help you decide.

Children and non-swimmers

The kayak tour has a minimum age of 8 years. If your child is 8 or older but cannot swim yet, tell us when you book so the guide can keep them close and make sure their life jacket fits well. For younger children, the boat tour is the right choice.

The bottom line

Not knowing how to swim is a reason to prepare, not a reason to stay on shore. With a well-fitted life jacket, calm water, a guide who knows your situation and a few simple habits, the mangrove at water level is within reach. Write to us with your questions; we would rather answer them before the tour than have you worry during it.