Guided safari float boat drifting past rainforest riverbank with a sloth and herons near La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Wildlife

La Fortuna Wildlife Boat Safari (2026): Best River Float Tours Compared

Written by: Costa Rica Day Trip Team Content Last Updated July 2026 11 min read
Price
From $71
River safari float
Duration
4–8 hrs
Half or full day
Season
Year-round
Best wildlife early AM
Top Pick
$96
Caño Negro Boat Safari

A La Fortuna wildlife boat safari is the easiest way to see Costa Rica's animals: you sit in a boat while a guide paddles and spots sloths, monkeys, caimans, and birds along the riverbank. Here's how the best river float and boat safari tours compare.

What You Should Know

  • A wildlife boat safari is the lowest-effort wildlife activity in La Fortuna: the guide paddles or drives, you sit and watch. No swimming, no paddling, and no hiking required.
  • Two formats dominate: gentle half-day river floats on the Peñas Blancas or Sarapiquí rivers (about 4 hours, from $71), and the full-day Caño Negro boat safari in the wetlands near the Nicaraguan border (about 8 hours, from $96).
  • Wildlife is the point, and the odds are genuinely high: sloths, howler and white-faced monkeys, caimans, iguanas, turtles, and dozens of bird species are all common sightings.
  • Boats approach quietly, so animals stay put instead of scattering. Guides carry spotting scopes and will take photos through the lens with your phone, which is how most people get their close-up shots.

La Fortuna Wildlife Boat Safari

A La Fortuna wildlife boat safari is the most relaxed way to see Costa Rican wildlife, and often the most productive. Instead of hiking and hoping, you sit in a boat while a naturalist guide handles the paddling and does the spotting, drifting quietly along riverbanks where sloths, monkeys, caimans, and herons live. Because the boats move slowly and silently, animals do not scatter the way they do around a motorboat or a group on a trail. These trips are also known as a La Fortuna river float or river wildlife safari, and the two headline options are the gentle Peñas Blancas River Wildlife Safari Float and the full-day Caño Negro boat safari.

Boat Safari vs River Float

Quick version: the Caño Negro full-day boat safari travels farthest and reliably delivers the biggest wildlife counts, especially caimans and birds; the Peñas Blancas safari float is the best value and the easiest half-day option close to town; and the combo tours pair a float with the La Fortuna Waterfall if you want two experiences in one booking. If your La Fortuna itinerary is already packed, we'd lean toward the Peñas Blancas float: it costs less and gives you your afternoon back.

TypeDurationPriceBest For
Caño Negro boat safari~8 hoursFrom $96The biggest wildlife counts, especially caimans and birds
Peñas Blancas safari float~4 hoursFrom $71Best value, easiest half day, families
Sarapiquí jungle float~2 hrs on the riverFrom $93A quieter river and a different rainforest corridor
Float + waterfall combo~7 hoursFrom $170Two headline experiences in one booking
Our Top Pick

Caño Negro Wildlife Boat Safari from La Fortuna (Full-Day Tour)

From $96 per person  ·  4.8 ⭐ (229 reviews)

The most-reviewed wildlife boat trip from La Fortuna (229 reviews at 4.8 stars) and the one that consistently produces the biggest sighting lists: caimans by the dozen, multiple monkey species, sloths, iguanas, turtles, and a long roll of birds. It is a full day with a couple of hours on the bus each way, but guests overwhelmingly say the wetlands are worth it, and a buffet lunch is included.

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Compare the Best La Fortuna Wildlife Boat Safaris

Five guided boat safaris and river floats run from La Fortuna, ranging from a $71 half-day float to a $170 float-and-waterfall combo. Prices, ratings, and review counts were confirmed with our team in July 2026.

TourPriceOnline RatingFocusDuration
Top Rated
Caño Negro Wildlife Boat Safari from La Fortuna (Full-Day Tour)
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From $96 pp ⭐ 4.8 (229 reviews)
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Wetland boat safari, biggest wildlife counts ~8 hrs (full day)
La Fortuna: Peñas Blancas River Wildlife Safari Float Tour
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From $71 pp ⭐ 4.9 (212 reviews)
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Gentle river float close to town ~4 hrs (half day)
Peñas Blancas River Safari Float
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From $92 pp ⭐ 4.9 (155 reviews)
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Same river, second operator ~4 hrs (half day)
Half-Day Tour with Safari Float and La Fortuna Waterfall
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From $170 pp ⭐ 5.0 (53 reviews)
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Safari float + La Fortuna Waterfall (2-in-1) ~7 hrs
Jungle Safari Float on Sarapiquí River from La Fortuna
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From $93 pp ⭐ 5.0 (23 reviews)
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Sarapiquí jungle corridor float ~2 hrs on the river

ℹ️ All tour listings, prices, ratings, and review counts were reviewed by our team in July 2026. Prices and availability change seasonally; always confirm with the operator before booking.

Option 1 · Compare

Compare the Top La Fortuna Wildlife Boat Safaris

The most-booked river floats and boat safaris from La Fortuna side by side. Browse live options, then book the top-rated Caño Negro full-day safari directly below.

Option 2 · Book

Book the Most Popular Option Directly

Live pricing and dates for the top-rated Caño Negro wildlife boat safari from La Fortuna. Pick your date below.

  • Free cancellation 24h
  • Reserve now & pay later
  • Naturalist guide with spotting scope
  • About 2 hours cruising the wetlands
  • Buffet lunch and snacks included
  • Long bus ride each way

We may earn a commission on bookings made through this link — at no extra cost to you.

WHAT TRAVELERS SAY

Real Reviews of the Caño Negro Wildlife Boat Safari

Here's what recent travelers had to say after cruising the Caño Negro wetlands, straight from verified bookings.

D
Darryl P
Mar 2026
5/5

Amazing Wildlife Tour

It was a long bus ride from La Fortuna (probably 2 hours) but well worth it. Easily the best tour we have gone on in Costa Rica. We saw over a dozen caimans, a dozen bird species, iguanas, JC lizards, slider turtles, a sloth, a howler monkey, and a troupe of white-faced monkeys. And the lunch after the tour was excellent. Our guide was excellent.

Biggest Sighting ListVerified booking
M
Mackenzie C
Jan 2026
5/5

Excellent Wildlife Tour

This was the best tour we took during our trip to Costa Rica! Well organized and our guide was amazing. Bring sunscreen, bug spray, and binoculars if you want a closer look. The guide has a scope and will take great pictures of the wildlife. We saw so many different types of animals. The included lunch was a delicious traditional Costa Rican meal. Fruit and drinks are provided before boarding the boat.

Best Tour of the TripVerified booking
H
Hayden T
Feb 2026
5/5

Cruising Through Nature

Although the bus ride is long, our guide kept us informed and entertained along the way. The bus itself was comfy and delivered us on time to the restaurant where snacks, coffee, and bathroom breaks were provided. Then, two hours cruising the river to see caimans, numerous birds, iguanas, two species of monkeys, and a sloth being slothful. A very relaxing way to view the diverse wildlife of Costa Rica. We finished with a very good buffet lunch which made the ride home comfortable and sleepy. We came away with great memories and some great photos.

Very RelaxingVerified booking

What to Expect on a Wildlife Boat Safari

A typical full-day Caño Negro safari runs roughly like this; half-day floats compress this into a single morning:

  1. 01Morning

    Hotel Pickup

    Pickup from your La Fortuna hotel in an air-conditioned bus or van. Half-day floats head about 30 minutes out of town; Caño Negro is roughly a two-hour drive north.

  2. 02~30 min

    Snack and Rest Stop

    On the longer Caño Negro run, a stop at a roadside restaurant for coffee, fruit, snacks, and bathrooms before boarding. Guides use the drive to brief you on what you'll be looking for.

  3. 03~2 hrs

    On the Water

    The main event. The guide handles all the paddling or piloting while you watch the banks. Frequent stops for sloths, caimans, monkeys, and birds, with the scope out for close-ups and photos.

  4. 04Midday

    Lunch or Farm Stop

    Caño Negro includes a buffet lunch of traditional Costa Rican food. The Peñas Blancas float finishes at a local farm for homemade snacks and coffee instead.

  5. 05Afternoon

    Return to La Fortuna

    Back to your hotel. Half-day floats have you home by early afternoon with the rest of the day free; Caño Negro returns late afternoon after the drive back.

No paddling or swimming is required on any of these, and the boats are stable and calm throughout. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and binoculars if you have them; most guests find the guide's scope covers the close-up viewing, but binoculars let you follow things yourself between stops.

Which Wildlife Boat Safari Should You Choose?

All five deliver wildlife. The right one depends on how much of your day you want to give it:

If you want…ChoosePriceDuration
The most wildlife, especially caimansCaño Negro Wildlife Boat SafariFrom $96~8 hrs
The best valuePeñas Blancas Safari FloatFrom $71~4 hrs
A short, easy half dayPeñas Blancas Safari FloatFrom $71~4 hrs
Two experiences in one bookingSafari Float + La Fortuna WaterfallFrom $170~7 hrs
A quieter, less-visited riverSarapiquí Jungle Safari FloatFrom $93~2 hrs on river
Young kids or limited mobilityPeñas Blancas Safari FloatFrom $71~4 hrs

Our take: if you have a spare full day and wildlife is the reason you came to Costa Rica, take Caño Negro. If you want a relaxed morning that still delivers sloths and monkeys without eating your day, the Peñas Blancas float is the better use of time and money.

Best La Fortuna Boat Safaris, Reviewed

Here is how we would choose between the five, starting with the one most wildlife-focused visitors should book.

1

Caño Negro Wildlife Boat Safari (full day)

Our overall pick and the most-reviewed of the group (4.8, 229 reviews). A full day out to the Caño Negro wetlands near the Nicaraguan border, with about two hours cruising and a buffet lunch. From $96. Guests routinely report over a dozen caimans plus multiple monkey species, sloths, iguanas, turtles, and a long bird list. The catch is roughly two hours on the bus each way.

2

Peñas Blancas River Wildlife Safari Float

The best value and the easiest half day (4.9, 212 reviews, from $71). Pickup is usually around 7:30 to 8 AM with a return by roughly 11:15, floating an inflatable raft with no engine so you drift right up to sloths, monkeys, and birds. There are two stops: fresh tropical fruit on the river, then a farm finish with a chocolate-making demo and a hot snack of tortillas, local cheese, and plantains with coffee. If you only have a morning, this is the one we'd book.

3

Peñas Blancas River Safari Float (second operator)

A second, separately run float on the same river, rated 4.9 across 155 reviews from $92. Same format and roughly the same 4 hours, at about $20 more than the cheaper Peñas Blancas listing. Worth booking when the lower-priced option is sold out on your date, or if its departure time suits you better.

4

Safari Float + La Fortuna Waterfall

A 7-hour 2-in-1 pairing the river float with the La Fortuna Waterfall and lunch (5.0, 53 reviews, from $170). Good if you want to bundle two headline experiences into one booking, though it is the most expensive option here and the waterfall's staircase makes it a more demanding day than a pure float.

5

Sarapiquí Jungle Safari Float

About two hours paddling the quieter lower Sarapiquí, alongside a protected biological corridor with good odds on sloths and howler monkeys (5.0 from a small 23-review base, from $93). Max 30 travelers. We'd shortlist this if the Peñas Blancas float is sold out or you want a river with fewer boats on it.

What Wildlife You'll See

The reason a La Fortuna river wildlife safari works so well is the approach: boats drift quietly, so animals along the bank stay put instead of scattering. Guides also carry spotting scopes and will line them up with your phone camera, which is how most guests get their close-up shots.

  • Sloths: Both two- and three-toed sloths in riverside trees. Commonly reported on every route here.
  • Monkeys: Howler and white-faced capuchin troops are frequent, and spider monkeys turn up on some stretches.
  • Caimans: The Caño Negro wetlands are the standout; guests regularly count a dozen or more in a single trip.
  • Birds: Herons, cormorants, anhingas, kingfishers, and toucans. Caño Negro is one of Costa Rica's premier birding wetlands.
  • Reptiles and more: Iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards running across the water, slider turtles, and bats roosting under branches.

The biggest difference is that you stay still and quiet while a trained spotter works the bank, rather than walking past animals and hoping to notice them. Nothing is guaranteed on any single trip, but these are among the highest-probability wildlife activities in the Arenal area, and consistently outperform hiking the volcano's lava fields for animal sightings.

How Likely Are You to See Each Animal?

Both headline routes deliver wildlife, but they are strong on different animals. Peñas Blancas runs through riverside forest, which favours sloths and monkeys; Caño Negro is open wetland, which favours caimans and water birds. Here is how we'd rate the odds on each:

AnimalPeñas BlancasCaño Negro
Sloth⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Monkeys⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Caiman⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Herons and water birds⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Iguanas⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Toucan⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ℹ️ This is our editorial read based on operator itineraries and recurring review reports, not a guaranteed sighting rate. Wildlife is wild, and any single trip can differ.

The practical takeaway: if sloths and monkeys are what you came for, the shorter Peñas Blancas float is genuinely competitive with the full-day trip. If you want caimans, wading birds, and sheer volume, Caño Negro is worth the drive.

Best Time for Wildlife Boat Safaris

Wildlife boat safaris run year-round from La Fortuna, but the season and the hour both change what you see. Two things matter most: water level (which concentrates or disperses animals) and time of day (which decides how active they are).

Dry Season (December to April)

The strongest window, especially for Caño Negro. Water levels fall steadily through these months until little remains but the main Río Frío channel, which pushes wildlife to the water's edge and makes caimans dramatically easier to spot. February and March are the peak. It's also the busiest and priciest season for La Fortuna generally, so book a few days ahead.

Green Season (May to November)

Higher water spreads animals out across the wetlands, so Caño Negro sighting counts typically drop from their dry-season high. The river floats hold up better, since sloths and monkeys stay in the same riverside trees regardless of water level, and the forest is at its lushest. Fewer crowds and lower prices are the trade.

Bird Migration

Migratory birds arrive at Caño Negro from around December and stay through the dry months, which is why it's regarded as one of Costa Rica's premier birding wetlands. They depart as the rains return and water levels rise. If birding is your main reason for booking, aim for January through March.

Morning vs Afternoon

Morning wins, in every season. Wildlife is most active before the midday heat drives it into cover, and the light is far better for photos. Most operators depart in the morning for exactly this reason: the Peñas Blancas float typically picks up around 7:30 to 8 AM, and Caño Negro tours usually run about 7:30 AM to 4 PM.

Should You Cancel If It Rains?

Usually not. This is rainforest, and light rain often improves the experience: temperatures drop, the boats keep running, and animals frequently stay active rather than sheltering from the sun. Guides carry ponchos or covered boats on most routes. Heavy sustained downpours can cut visibility and make photography difficult, but a wet forecast alone is a weak reason to cancel a wildlife float, and reviewers regularly report good sightings on drizzly mornings.

Caño Negro vs Peñas Blancas: Which Is Better?

These two account for most bookings, and they suit different travelers. Here is the honest comparison:

Caño NegroPeñas Blancas
Total time~8 hours (full day)~4 hours (half day)
Travel each way~2 hours~30 minutes
PriceFrom $96From $71
Wildlife volumeHighest, especially caimans and birdsVery good, strong on sloths and monkeys
FoodBuffet lunch includedFarm snacks and coffee
Best forWildlife-first travelers with a spare dayFamilies, tight schedules, best value

The main tradeoff is bus time against sighting volume. Caño Negro asks for about four hours of driving in exchange for the richest wetland wildlife in the region, and reviewers consistently say it was worth it. Peñas Blancas gives you most of the wildlife experience for less money and half the day, which is why it works better for families and anyone already packing a lot into their La Fortuna itinerary.

Season tilts this decision too. Caño Negro is strongly seasonal in a way the river floats are not, so between December and April we'd give it the edge, while outside that window the Peñas Blancas float closes much of the gap. See the best time section above for the detail.

Wildlife Photography Tips

A boat is one of the better wildlife photography platforms in Costa Rica: you're low, quiet, and stable, and the guide positions the boat for you. The limitation is distance, since most animals sit high in riverside trees or across the water.

  • Use the guide's spotting scope: This is the single biggest upgrade and it costs nothing. Holding your phone lens to the scope eyepiece (digiscoping) turns a distant speck into a frame-filling sloth or toucan. Guides do this constantly and will set the shot up for you.
  • Phones alone struggle at distance: Digital zoom on a phone falls apart on a small animal 30 metres up a tree. Use the phone for scenery and scope shots, and don't expect handheld phone zoom to capture wildlife.
  • Bring a zoom lens if you have one: A 200mm or longer lens on a mirrorless or DSLR is ideal. Anything in the 300 to 400mm range covers most of what you'll see from the boat.
  • Raise your shutter speed: Boats drift and animals move. Aim for at least 1/500s for perched birds and faster for anything active, and lift ISO rather than accepting blur. Rainforest light is dimmer than it looks, especially under canopy.
  • Bring binoculars as well as a camera: Binoculars let you follow animals between the guide's stops rather than only seeing what gets pointed out. Many guests find they enjoy the trip more when they're not viewing everything through a viewfinder.
  • Protect your gear from water: A dry bag or a simple waterproof pouch is worth packing. You're on open water for a couple of hours, rain is possible any month, and there's spray and splash from paddling.
  • Shoot early: Morning light is softer and animals are more active, which is another reason the early departures are the ones to book.

Wildlife Boat Safari Prices

Here is what each format costs and what the price covers:

From $71

Half-Day River Float

The Peñas Blancas safari float, about 4 hours door to door with hotel pickup, a naturalist guide, the boat, and farm snacks with coffee at the end. The best value of the group and the easiest to slot into a busy itinerary.

From $93

Sarapiquí Jungle Float

About two hours on the quieter lower Sarapiquí with a bilingual nature guide paddling, capped at 30 travelers. A good alternative river if you want fewer boats around.

From $96

Caño Negro Full-Day Safari

A full day including roughly two hours of transport each way, about two hours cruising the wetlands, a snack and coffee stop, and a buffet lunch. The most wildlife per trip of any option here.

From $170

Float + Waterfall Combo

A 7-hour 2-in-1 bundling the river float with the La Fortuna Waterfall and lunch. The priciest option; worth it mainly if bundling saves you a separate booking and transfer.

Prices are per person from-rates confirmed in July 2026 and change seasonally. Most include hotel pickup within central La Fortuna and a bilingual naturalist guide. What matters more than the headline price is total time: the $71 float and the $96 Caño Negro safari differ by $25 but by a full four hours of your day.

From Our Experience

We've found this is the single highest-yield wildlife activity in La Fortuna, and it beats hiking for sightings. On the volcano's lava fields the forest is young and animals are scarce; from a boat, the guide does the spotting while you sit still, which is exactly the setup wildlife rewards.

Tips for Your Wildlife Boat Safari

  • Go in the morning: Wildlife is most active early, and the light is better for photos. Afternoon heat pushes animals into cover.
  • Bring binoculars if you have them: Guides carry a scope and will set up shots for you, but binoculars let you follow animals yourself between the guide's stops.
  • Use the guide's scope for photos: Holding your phone to the scope eyepiece is how most guests get their sloth and bird close-ups. Handheld phone shots of distant wildlife rarely come out.
  • Pack sunscreen, repellent, and a hat: You're on open water for a couple of hours with limited shade, and riverbanks mean insects.
  • Budget the drive for Caño Negro: Roughly two hours each way, with tours typically running about 7:30 AM to 4 PM. It's comfortable and guides use the time to brief you, but it makes this a genuine full day rather than a half day.
  • Time Caño Negro to the dry season if you can: Between December and April the water drops and wildlife concentrates along the remaining channel, so caimans are far easier to spot and migratory birds are present in numbers. February and March are the peak. Outside that window the animals disperse and the Peñas Blancas float is the better-value choice.
  • Pick the float if you're short on time: The Peñas Blancas option delivers sloths and monkeys in about four hours total, leaving the rest of your day free for the volcano or hot springs.
  • Visiting in August? Our La Fortuna in August guide covers high water and strong wildlife activity on the river in the green season.
  • Good for all ages and mobility levels: No paddling, hiking, or swimming is required on any of these, which makes them the most accessible wildlife activity around La Fortuna. We'd shortlist one for any group travelling with older relatives or very young kids.

Pair this with the rest of La Fortuna: our La Fortuna hiking tours guide compares the guided trails, our sloth tour guide covers the land-based wildlife walks, and the Arenal Volcano hike guide covers the lava-field trails. Just arriving? Our San José to La Fortuna transport guide covers how to get here.

How We Selected These Safaris

The Costa Rica Day Trip team built this comparison from the wildlife boat safaris and river floats currently bookable from La Fortuna, weighing star ratings, review volume, price, total time commitment, transport distance, and the wildlife each route actually delivers. Prices, ratings, and review counts were reviewed in July 2026 and reflect per-person from-rates at that time. Tour details and pricing change seasonally, so confirm the current itinerary, inclusions, and departure times with the operator before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a La Fortuna wildlife boat safari?+

It's a guided wildlife-watching trip by boat, where a naturalist guide paddles or pilots while you watch the riverbanks for sloths, monkeys, caimans, and birds. No paddling, hiking, or swimming is required. Options range from a gentle half-day float on the Peñas Blancas River to a full-day boat safari in the Caño Negro wetlands.

How much does a La Fortuna river safari float cost?+

The Peñas Blancas River Wildlife Safari Float starts at about $71 per person for roughly four hours, and a second operator runs the same river from $92. The Sarapiquí jungle float is from $93, the full-day Caño Negro boat safari from $96, and the 2-in-1 float and La Fortuna Waterfall combo from $170. Most include hotel pickup and a bilingual naturalist guide.

What animals will I see on a Peñas Blancas safari float?+

Sloths, howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas, turtles, caimans, and a wide range of birds including herons, cormorants, and kingfishers are all common. Because the boat drifts quietly, animals tend to stay put rather than scatter, so sightings are generally reliable, though nothing is guaranteed on any single trip.

Is Caño Negro worth the long drive from La Fortuna?+

For wildlife-focused travelers, yes. It's roughly two hours each way, making it a full day, but it consistently produces the biggest sighting lists of any trip from La Fortuna, especially caimans and birds, and includes a buffet lunch. If you're short on time, the Peñas Blancas float delivers much of the experience in about four hours.

Is a wildlife boat safari suitable for kids?+

Yes. These are among the most family-friendly activities around La Fortuna, since nobody needs to paddle, hike, or swim, and the boats are stable and calm. The shorter Peñas Blancas float works best for young children because it avoids the long drive that the full-day Caño Negro safari involves.

What should I bring on a river safari float?+

Sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and water are the essentials, since you're on open water with limited shade. Binoculars are a genuine upgrade if you have them. Guides carry a spotting scope and will help you take photos through the eyepiece with your phone, which is how most guests get their close-up wildlife shots.

What is the best time of day for a wildlife boat safari?+

Morning. Wildlife is most active early, before the midday heat pushes animals into cover, and the light is better for photography. Most tours depart in the morning for this reason, and half-day floats have you back in La Fortuna by early afternoon.

What is the best time of year for a Caño Negro wildlife boat safari?+

The dry season, December to April, with February and March the peak. Water levels drop steadily through those months until little remains but the main Río Frío channel, which concentrates wildlife along the banks and makes caimans much easier to spot, while migratory birds arrive in large numbers. Once the rains return the water rises, animals disperse, and the migrants leave, so the river floats close much of the gap outside that window.

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