Isla Chora: the snorkelling island in the mouth of Sámara bay
Isla Chora is a small island in the mouth of Sámara bay, about 1.5 kilometres by kayak from the eastern end of Playa Sámara. It has a short white shell beach on its landward side and the only worthwhile snorkelling in reach of the town, in the sheltered water between the island and the reef. Go near high tide and stay off the seaward channel, where the current runs out through the reef gap.
The facts
| Swimming | Calm — safe on most days |
|---|---|
| Rip currents | The strip of water between the island and the reef is sheltered and shallow. The channel on the seaward side is not — the current there runs out through the reef gap. |
| Tides | Land and leave near high tide: at low tide the reef between the island and the shore is exposed and a kayak has to go the long way round. |
| Surf | No rideable waves |
| Snorkelling | Yes |
| Water | 28 °C |
| Getting there | Boat or kayak only — Kayak from Playa Sámara — about 40 minutes each way — or on a boat tour from the beach; there is no landing for anything larger |
| Parking | Park in Sámara and paddle; the kayak operators are on the sand at the eastern end |
| Drive from Sámara | 0 min |
| Length | 0.2 km |
| Sand | White crushed shell and coral fragments |
| Shade | Yes |
| Lifeguard | No |
| Bandera Azul | No |
| Best months | Feb–Apr, when the water is at its clearest and the bay is flat in the morning |
| Where it is | Isla Chora, in the mouth of Sámara bay — 1.5 km by kayak from the eastern end of Playa Sámara |
| GPS | 9.87560, -85.51270 |
Not yet checked in person — compiled from published sources
How do you get to Isla Chora?
By kayak from the eastern end of Playa Sámara — around forty minutes each way for someone who has paddled before — or on one of the boat tours that leave from the same stretch of sand. There is no landing for anything larger, and no way to walk there: at the lowest tides the reef between the island and the shore is exposed, but the channel is not.
Kayak rental is on the beach at the eastern end, near where the Rio Sámara comes out. Most operators will point you at the route rather than simply hand over a boat, which is worth accepting: the paddle out is straightforward, and the way back against an afternoon wind is not.
What is the snorkelling like?
Modest by Caribbean standards and the best thing within an hour of here. The strip between the island and the reef is shallow, sheltered and clear in the dry season, with reef fish, rays over the sand and rock structure to follow. February to April is when the water is at its clearest; in the green season, river run-off puts silt in the bay and there is not much point.
What should you be careful of?
The seaward side. The water between the island and the open Pacific moves out through the gap in the reef and is not somewhere to swim. The other thing is timing: land and leave near high tide, because at low water the reef is exposed and a kayak has to go the long way round the island, into exactly the channel you would rather not be in.
The island is part of a protected area — take everything back out, and leave the shells where they are.
Where it is
Isla Chora, in the mouth of Sámara bay — 1.5 km by kayak from the eastern end of Playa Sámara
Navigate · Opens Google Maps directions to this beach's access point, not to the middle of the bay.
Frequently asked questions
Can you snorkel at Isla Chora?
Yes — it is the only worthwhile snorkelling within reach of Sámara. The sheltered strip between the island and the reef is shallow and clear in the dry season, with reef fish and rays. Visibility is best from February to April; in the rainy months, river silt in the bay makes it barely worth the paddle.
How long does the kayak to Isla Chora take?
About 40 minutes each way from the eastern end of Playa Sámara, for someone who has paddled before. Go in the morning: the bay is flat before about nine and the afternoon onshore wind makes the return trip considerably harder work.
Can you stay on Isla Chora?
No. It is an uninhabited islet inside a protected area, with no facilities, no shade structure and no landing for larger boats. It is a half-day trip from Sámara and nothing more.
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