Discover Spearfishing course

The unusual appeal here is that you do not simply sit on a boat and watch someone else fish. You learn how to choose, stalk, and spear a fish, then test those skills in the Pacific waters near Flamingo. I like the small maximum group of eight, and I like that the price includes gear, transport, fruit, drinks, and underwater photos.

The main caution is the sea itself. Current, wind, waves, and cloudy water can make this hard work, especially for a first-timer who is not fully comfortable swimming in open water. The classroom lesson is useful, but you should arrive ready to manage yourself in the water while staying close to your buddy and following the safety briefing.

Key points before you book

• Classroom first, ocean second: Start at 1pm in Tamarindo with instruction on equipment, fish choice, technique, and safety.
• Flamingo boat trip included: Around 2pm, transport takes you from the school to the boat launch area and back again.
• Designed for beginners: No previous spearfishing experience is required, though you must be at least 18 and able to swim.
• A real physical challenge: Choppy water and current can make it difficult to reach fish or stay comfortable underwater.
• Fresh-catch reward: Some sessions produce several fish, and the crew may clean the catch for you.
• Small-group format: The maximum is eight people, which matters when you need help with equipment or technique.

Learning the sport at 1pm in Tamarindo

Your afternoon begins at Freedive Costa Rica, on the second floor of Centro Comercial Plaza Conchal in Tamarindo. Arrive in swimwear with strong sun protection, since the practical portion takes place outside and on the water.

The first part is a theory session. You learn how the speargun works, how to handle it safely, how to choose a suitable fish, and how to approach it without wasting energy. You also receive guidance on breath-hold technique and the basic mechanics of reaching fish below the surface.

That preparation is important. Spearfishing is not simply underwater target practice. You need to move quietly, judge distance, handle the equipment correctly, and know which fish are appropriate. A solid lesson can save you from burning through your strength before you even reach the reef.

The staff connected with this experience include instructors named Aaron, Miguel, Christian, and Guiterras. Aaron is praised for patient teaching, while Miguel is noted for demonstrating technique and helping with the catch. The exact instructor can vary, so do not assume you will meet a particular person on your date.

I like the fact that beginners can start here without having taken a previous course. Still, there is an important difference between no spearfishing experience and no comfort in the water. You need to be able to swim and remain calm in open water. If waves make you anxious in an ordinary boat outing, this may not be the right first water activity.

The ride from Tamarindo to Flamingo

At roughly 2pm, you leave the school by shuttle for Flamingo. Transport from the freediving school to the boat and back is included, which keeps the afternoon simple. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi between Tamarindo and the launch point.

Flamingo is the departure point for the open-water portion. Once aboard, your instructor and the boat captain take you toward the fishing area. The exact conditions and location can change with weather, current, visibility, and fish activity.

That flexibility is worth understanding before you pay. Some sessions reach a reef quickly and find fish right away. Other outings require moving between two spots because the first area may be quiet. The boat crew has changed locations when needed, and several participants have reported catching fish at more than one site.

The boat trip is not just a scenic transfer. It is part of the working rhythm of the experience. You may spend time getting organized, listening to instructions, checking equipment, and waiting for the right area. If the water is rough or murky, the pace can feel less predictable than a standard sightseeing cruise.

What happens once you enter the Pacific

Before you get into the water, you should receive a briefing about the site, current, depth, and where to look for fish. The intended approach is to work in buddy teams of two or three people while the instructor demonstrates technique and points out fish.

At the start, the instructor may enter the water with you to show how to move, where to search, and how to use the speargun in real conditions. The captain watches from the boat, while the instructor helps organize the group and offers assistance with loading equipment or handling fish.

This is where expectations matter most. An instructor cannot remain beside one person for the entire session when several people are in the water. You should expect guidance and demonstrations, but also a degree of independence once the group is spread out.

The water may be choppy. Current can make it harder to stay in one place, and murky conditions can limit how far you can see. One person may find it difficult to descend or locate fish, while another may quickly spot several species. That unevenness is normal for an ocean activity, but it can affect how much you get from the five-and-a-half-hour outing.

I would treat the experience as an introduction to spearfishing, not a private lesson. If you want constant one-on-one coaching, ask about private instruction before booking. If you are comfortable swimming and willing to practice independently after the initial demonstration, the format should make more sense.

Catching fish for dinner

The goal is simple: find an edible fish and bring it aboard. Several sessions have produced multiple fish, including outings where a couple caught five fish between them despite murky water. Another successful session produced four different edible species after the boat moved to a better spot.

That does not mean a catch is guaranteed. Fish numbers, visibility, weather, current, and your own comfort all matter. The activity gives you the chance to catch fish, but the Pacific is not a stocked pond.

A particularly nice touch is that the guide may share part of the crew’s catch. This has allowed people to take fish home even when their own results were modest. The crew may also clean or fillet the catch, making it easier to turn the afternoon into dinner.

The food connection gives the experience a more practical feel. You are not collecting a souvenir item or checking off a quick thrill. You are learning a traditional way to source food, then seeing the process through to preparation. Just keep your expectations realistic: first-timers may catch one fish, several fish, or none.

Equipment, photos, and what the $192.10 price covers

The cost is $192.10 per person. That is not a minor add-on, but the package includes the main pieces you would otherwise need to arrange separately:

• Spearfishing equipment
• Transport from the school to the boat and back
• Souvenir photos and video
• Fruit and drinks

The included equipment makes the price easier to justify for a first attempt. Buying or renting individual items, arranging a boat, and finding an instructor would be more work and could cost more. The small group also adds value, since the maximum is eight people rather than an anonymous crowd.

The photos and video are useful because it is difficult to document your own underwater experience. They give you something concrete from the outing, although the amount and style of footage are not specified. Think of them as a souvenir, not a professional film package.

Fruit and drinks are practical rather than lavish. You will be active for several hours, so having refreshments on hand is helpful. Bring your own additional water if you normally need more fluids during physical activities, but the supplied information confirms only fruit and drinks, not a full meal.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the school at Plaza Conchal yourself and return there at the end. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Tamarindo.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for an adult who can swim, enjoys physical activities, and wants a hands-on introduction rather than a passive boat ride. You do not need previous spearfishing experience, and several beginners have caught fish during their first outing.

It also suits someone who likes learning a practical skill. The best part is not just firing a speargun. It is understanding how to move, conserve energy, choose a fish, and respond to changing sea conditions.

You should think twice if you are uneasy in open water, have trouble with waves, or expect an instructor to stay beside you every minute. The ocean can be rough, and the session may require self-reliance after the first demonstration.

A prior breath-hold swimming course is not required, but it may help. One participant specifically considered an earlier freediving experience useful, and that makes sense: better breathing control and comfort underwater can make the spearfishing lesson far less tiring.

The minimum age is 18. The activity is not described as suitable for children, and the water conditions make the adult-only rule understandable.

Safety and the question of instructor support

Safety should be your first concern, not the number of fish you bring home. The classroom covers safe speargun handling, equipment, technique, and fish selection. You should also receive an on-site briefing before entering the water.

Pay close attention to the captain and instructor at that stage. Ask where the group should stay, how buddy teams will work, what signal to use if you need help, and how to return to the boat. These are sensible questions for any open-water session.

The experience has received a 4.9 rating from 57 reviews, with 98 percent of participants recommending it. Those figures point to consistently strong results, but they do not remove the need to judge your own swimming ability.

There has also been a clear warning from one difficult outing. A participant felt left alone in choppy water and believed the instructor spent too much time fishing independently. The provider acknowledged that the intended procedure is a full briefing, an initial in-water demonstration, buddy teams, and supervision from the boat afterward.

That response gives you a useful picture of how the session is meant to run, but it also highlights an important point: conditions and staff performance can vary. If you ever feel unsafe, return to the boat and speak directly with the captain or instructor. Do not stay in the water just to meet a catch goal.

Timing, cancellation, and planning tips

The total duration is about five hours and 30 minutes, starting at 1pm and ending back at the Tamarindo meeting point. The classroom begins first, followed by the transfer to Flamingo and the boat session.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is often booked 19 days ahead on average, so reserve early if your Costa Rica schedule is tight.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Bring swimwear and sun protection. You should also arrive ready for physical exertion, changing sea conditions, and a long afternoon outside. Since hotel transport is not included, allow enough time to reach the school at Centro Comercial Plaza Conchal.

Should you book the Tamarindo spearfishing course?

Book it if you are a confident swimmer who wants to try a real, active ocean sport and is happy to learn in a small group. The included equipment, boat transfer, refreshments, and photos make the $192.10 price reasonable for a first experience, especially when several people in one group can share the instruction and boat outing.

Skip it if you want calm water, guaranteed fish, or constant personal supervision. The Pacific can be choppy and cloudy, and your success will depend partly on conditions and partly on your comfort underwater.

For the right person, this is a memorable way to spend an afternoon near Tamarindo. You learn the basics in town, head to Flamingo, work with real equipment, and may bring home fish for dinner. Just treat it as a physically demanding introduction, not an easy sightseeing trip.

FAQ

Where does the spearfishing course start?

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

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 1:00pm. The classroom preparation begins first, with the transfer to Flamingo planned for around 2:00pm.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes and ends back at the Tamarindo meeting point.

Is previous spearfishing experience required?

No. Previous spearfishing experience is not required, but you must be able to swim and feel comfortable in open water.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 18.

What does the price include?

The $192.10 price includes spearfishing equipment, transport from the school to the boat and back, souvenir photos or video, fruit, and drinks.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.