Spearfishing in Tamarindo is a hands-on lesson. This small-group intro blends classroom safety with an open-water fish hunt near Flamingo, using all the gear you need and ending right back where you started.

I love the way they start with practical speargun safety coaching, not just theory. You’ll learn how to choose the right gear, stalk fish, and spear with control, plus you’ll get a souvenir photo/video to take home.

One thing to think about: water conditions on the Pacific can bring chop and current. If you’re not very comfortable swimming (and staying calm with gear), this can feel harder than you expect.

Key highlights you should care about

• Max 8 people: more attention for first-timers in a hands-on setting
• 1pm start at Freedive Costa Rica: a clear classroom-to-boat flow before you hit the water
• Speargun + safety instruction: you get taught safe handling and what to do underwater
• Shuttle to Flamingo and boat session: you’re not stuck right next to shore
• Souvenir photo/video: you’re building memories, not just a skill you’ll forget
• Fruits and drinks included: a small comfort after time in the sun and salt

Where the course starts: Freedive Costa Rica, Tamarindo at 1:00pm

This is built as an afternoon course, so plan your day around the 1:00pm meetup. You’ll meet at Freedive Costa Rica, on the 2nd floor of Centro Comercial Plaza Conchal in Tamarindo. It’s near public transportation, so you’re not forced into a complicated plan if you’re not on a hotel shuttle.

After you meet your instructor, you start with prep and classroom time. Expect a quick shift from “tour mode” to “sport mode.” You’ll want to be rested enough to pay attention—spearfishing is simple to describe and tougher to do well.

Good to know:

• No hotel pickup is listed, so you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point.
• The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not dropped off somewhere random across town.

Classroom fundamentals: speargun safety, technique, and fish know-how

The first part of the experience is theory and hands-on gear education. This is the moment that makes the rest of the afternoon safer and more productive. You’ll cover the basics of spearfishing equipment, techniques, and safety, then move into what you’ll actually practice: how to stalk a fish and how to spear it correctly.

If you’re brand-new, you’ll likely appreciate that they don’t treat “first-timer” as a bad word. In feedback from instructors like Aaron, training is often described as patient and structured, with enough guidance that people can spear their first fish within a short window once they’re in the water.

You’ll also hear practical advice about what matters most during the hunt, like:

• how to handle and aim the speargun safely
• how to choose shots you can make
• how to think before you move (because rushing is where accidents happen)

Tip for your comfort level: when they explain safety and fish selection in the classroom, treat it like a checklist. Those rules will feel slow until you’re in real conditions, then suddenly they’ll feel like common sense.

The move to Flamingo: shuttle + boat time near the fishing grounds

Around 2:00pm, you head out by shuttle toward Flamingo. Then you jump on the boat with your instructor for the open-water session. This matters because spearfishing is all about location and timing. Instead of staying near the shoreline, you’re going farther where fish can be more plentiful.

Boat rides on the Tamarindo coast can be a mix of calm and chop, depending on the day. That’s not something you can control, so bring the right mindset. If you’re prone to seasickness, consider taking steps before you go.

The boat portion also sets expectations for how the afternoon will run:

• you’ll get oriented on what to do next
• you’ll understand the plan for your water time
• you’ll see how your instructor and the boat captain coordinate while you’re geared up

One crew member called out in feedback is Miguel as a boat captain, praised for being attentive and for running a safe operation.

On the water: stalking and spearing with real guidance (and real conditions)

The heart of the course is the open-water session. This is where you stop learning “about” spearfishing and start doing it.

Your training typically follows a structured rhythm:

• you’ll be organized into buddy groups (so you’re never floating around alone)
• the instructor demonstrates technique and points out where fish are
• you get time to try, with supervision and help as needed

In good conditions, the lesson clicks fast. Feedback has highlighted that people have speared their first fish quickly, and others have scored multiple edible species even when water visibility was less than perfect.

At the same time, you need to respect the reality of the Pacific:

• current can move you faster than you expect
• waves can make it harder to get into position
• gear adds drag and changes how you feel in the water

That’s why they set requirements like being able to swim and having a minimum age of 18. It’s also why comfort matters more than bravado. One low-rating comment described a day where the instructor wasn’t clearly visible to the group while conditions were rough, and that made the experience feel unsafe for a less-confident swimmer. The takeaway for you isn’t panic—it’s honesty about your own comfort. If you’re shaky in choppy water, choose a calmer day if possible, or consider building confidence with a different kind of training first.

A practical note about catching fish

The course is designed so you’re learning skills and safety, not only trying to win a contest. But many people do come away with fish (and sometimes with fresh catch handled for food).

One detail I really like for first-timers: when the crew does a great job, you don’t just learn the motion. You learn the decision-making—what kind of shot makes sense, and when it’s better to wait.

What’s included in the price: value beyond the gear

At $192.10 per person for about 5 hours 30 minutes, this course can feel like strong value—mainly because it’s not just instruction.

Included:

• spearfishing equipment
• transport from the Freedive Costa Rica school to the boat and back
• souvenir photo/video from the underwater trip
• fruits and drinks

Not included:

• hotel pickup/drop-off
• tips for the crew

From a value standpoint, equipment + transport is the hidden cost most people forget. Rentals for a sport like this add up fast, and a full instructor-led afternoon isn’t the same as paying for a standalone activity. On top of that, the souvenir photo/video is a big “future-you” perk. You’ll have proof you actually did the thing.

One more small but important value point: having fruits and drinks included is practical. You’re in sun and salt water. By late afternoon, energy dips fast unless you plan ahead.

Who this course fits best in Tamarindo

This is a small-group intro for people without previous spearfishing experience. The minimum age is 18, and you need to be able to swim.

You’ll likely enjoy it most if:

• you want structured coaching, not guesswork
• you can handle an afternoon that’s physically active and sometimes choppy
• you’re curious about learning the “why” behind technique (safety, stalking, choosing fish)

You might want to be cautious or choose a different plan if:

• you’re not comfortable swimming in waves or with gear
• you hate feeling far from an instructor during the water part
• you’re hoping the day will feel gentle and easy every minute

The good news is that instruction quality matters, and you can learn a lot even in a first session. Named instructors mentioned in feedback include Aaron and Christian, with one instructor called out as Guiterras. When things go well, they’re the difference between a nervous try and a confident one.

Tips that make the experience smoother (even if conditions change)

Bring swimwear and sun protection. That’s basic, but it matters a lot here. Costa Rica sun can feel sharp fast, especially when you’re waiting on the boat or suiting up.

Also:

• Arrive ready to swim: you’ll get more out of the lesson when you don’t spend time fiddling with gear.
• If you’re on the fence about comfort in rougher water, don’t ignore it. Spearfishing is safer when you’re calm enough to think.

If keeping any fish is a big part of your personal plan for dinner, know that the course description emphasizes gear and photos. Some instructors have been described as letting students take some catch home, but that’s not listed as a guaranteed part of the basic package. If it matters to you, confirm directly with the instructor on the day.

Should you book this Tamarindo spearfishing intro course?

I’d book it if you want a guided, beginner-friendly introduction with equipment, transport, and safety coaching in a small group. The combination of classroom prep plus an open-water attempt near Flamingo is a smart way to learn fast without wasting time.

I’d think twice if you know you struggle in choppy water or you’re uncomfortable with gear and being away from an instructor for moments. Since conditions can shift, your confidence level in the water is the biggest deciding factor.

If your goal is skill + safety + a realistic shot at your first fish, this course is a strong fit—and the souvenir photos make it worth remembering.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for Discover Spearfishing?

You meet at Freedive Costa Rica, 2nd floor, Centro Comercial Plaza Conchal, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, Costa Rica (start time 1:00pm).

What time does the tour start and how long does it last?

It starts at 1:00pm and lasts about 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.), ending back at the meeting point.

How much does the spearfishing course cost?

The price is $192.10 per person.

Do I need prior spearfishing or underwater experience?

No previous spearfishing experience is required, but you must be able to swim.

What’s the minimum age?

The minimum age is 18.

What’s included in the price?

The package includes spearfishing equipment, transport from the school to the boat and back, a souvenir photo/video, and fruits and drinks.

What is not included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and tips for the crew are not included.

How many people are in the group?

The activity has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and sun protection. You should also be ready to swim.

How does cancellation work if plans change?

Free cancellation is available if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.