Located 340 miles/550 kilometers off the country's west coast, it is exclusively accessed via liveaboard charter. It is over 5 times higher than the Caribbean Sea, and second only to the region around Wolf and Darwin islands in the Galapagos Islands. While the mountains and the seashore attract many, the undersea world is not forgotten either. Giant manta rays sporting wingspans of up to 20 feet have been spotted here, as well as the jumping Mobula ray. Dive sites and dive Hi Stacey! Indeed, the main small ship cruises in Panama are on liveaboard boats such as the Safari Voyager, which cruises both Costa-Rica and Panama. Fly into Liberia and the beachfront towns of Playa Hermosa and Playa Cocos Island National Marine Park. MV Okeanos Aggressor II Liveaboard Review. There are many dive sites on the Nicoya Peninsula and the Guanacaste coast line that are great for snorkeling. Thanks to the nutrient-rich coastal waters, diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica can be a magical experience. The water temperatures hover around 26-29ºC/78-84ºF most of the year. Costa Rica offers some of the best spots for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and lot many other water sports activities that you’re going to enjoy on your blissful vacation to this country. But, CR not the place to go for snorkel, is the place to go surf :) very informative guides. Did you have a good time? Some of the dive centers operate from Drake Bay just 13 miles the island. Check out our Costa Rica Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more. Divers may even find themselves distracted from the underwater beauty by ‘big animal’ sightings — including whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles, and the occasional humpback whale. If scuba diving isn’t your cup of tea, snorkeling is a great way to leisurely explore the underwater scenery. Costa Rica has a variety of snorkeling options for beginners and experts. Cahuita National Park protects the largest coral reef on the Caribbean Coast. Sirenas Diving Costa Rica is located in the Playas del Coco / Playa Hermosa area of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, a thirty minute drive from Liberia International Airport (LIR). These great Costa Rica dive sites are far enough out to see that they have clear water even in rainy season, unlike dive spots closer to shore, that often have terrible visibility from May through November, when the water has too much silt runoff from the rivers. Forgive us but we can only reply in English and French. The dry season is the best time to visit Playas del Coco if you want to split your time between sunbathing on the beach and diving into the underwater world. My go to shop is Summer Salt!! However, no other place has the amount of unique scuba diving spots that the Caño Island Biological Reserve boasts. Be on the lookout for white-tip and bull sharks. The clear sea offers visibility for scuba diving between 30 to 100 feet, guaranteeing you’ll spot all kinds of marine life. January, February and March you can hear often hear the calls of humpback and pilot whales while diving and may see a few. Best bubbles, always! By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Despite being an up-and-coming resort area, the Papagayo Peninsula retains its natural integrity with its lush tropical landscape and over 400 species of wildlife. Check out these few spots around Costa Rica! The blue chaste waters of the pacific have gained ample of attention for water adventures especially Scuba Diving. Visibility is 15-30 meters/50-100 feet with better visibility in the remote islands and from June through September. The reefs off the coast contain more creatures than can be seen in any single outing, so don’t be surprised if you’re soon itching to go back. Your email address will not be published. Scuba diving in Guanacaste is superb as the water conditions here are near perfect most of the year. Turtles and dolphins are some of the most friendly species you will find in these waters often joining divers to see what is going on. 10 Best Costa Rica Diving & Snorkeling Spots. Being off shore of a lightly developed area the visibility is not impacted by run offs or pollution. If this is the case, please view our Job Board for any job offers or internship offer available in the diving industry right now. This Pacific diving attracts divers to some of the best diving in the world. Day trips can be easily arranged in advance of travel for visitors of most lodges. It sure is a great help for other divers planning their trips! It is also the best time to dive in Costa Rica for beginner divers who prefer easy, colorful diving. Culebra Bay (within the Gulf of Papagayo) snorkeling from the Andaz Resort. Half-day diving and snorkeling tours to Catalina Islands are available from the Guanacaste region. Most snorkeling tours combine sailing into the excursion experience with the option of booking in the morning or at sunset. The coral reef, little bays, inlets, and islands are the perfect recipe for attracting marine life. Isla Tortuga Acquario Tortuga Island, Costa Rica Tortuga Island is located 15 miles from Herradura Bay, about 1 hour by boat.It is famous for its beautiful white sand beach, almost the only onthe pacific coast of Costa Rica, and his great diving and snorkeling. The drama is real, and you get a front seat to watch it unfold! Huge Hammerhead Shark patrolling the reef in French Polynesia. People are attracted by the whale and dolphin. Shore diving is not very good, and … Exploring Cano Island from Aguila de Osa Inn. Spearfishing is a breathtaking experience and whether you’re a spearfishing expert or you’re just trying out for the first time, spearfishing in Costa Rica is an unforgettable experience. Costa Rica offers experienced divers some of the best diving in the world. 10 Best Costa Rica Diving & Snorkeling Spots, 9 Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio National Park & Quepos, 6 Best Things to Do on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, Snorkeling or Scuba Diving Tour of Cano Island Biological Reserve, Guanacaste Morning or Sunset Cruise and Snorkeling Tour. Tengo experiencia en limpiezas e inspecciones submarinas y quisiera tener experiencia en otro sitio, ya sea otro país por ejemplo. As a result, trips to Cocos are not cheap—but the wonder of what awaits there makes the … A number of different species of sharks including the seasonal whale sharks can be found here along with different marine mammals. I have been travelling to Costa Rica for a few years now, taking a metal detector in my hand luggage in the hope to find some gold nuggets out in the jungles. Nevertheless, just watching the dormant sharks lurking within the rock is spectacular to behold. Besides the actual cave, this dive traverses many underwater rock formations and hard coral where you will see many tropical fish—pufferfish, boxfish, goatfish, sea turtles, and even some large rays from time to time. The Tambor airport serves this area. Consider sharing your experience with the diving community by leaving a comment below! I have been in the Sharck Cave and Gardens… just beautiful ! Along the beachside is the Tamarindo Diria resort that is snuggled away from the rest of the town by parts of the tropical forests. happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). Find out all information you need to dive and have a great time in these beautiful places! Cooler currents, from December through March, may bring water temperatures down as low as 19ºC/68ºF. Scuba diving is centered around Mal Pais and Santa Theresa area and near Montezuma. Bat Island – Also in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, Bat Island is a little more isolated about an hour boat ride from the dive shops nearby. The coral reefs are teeming with life. The coastal park backs up to a 5.6-mile trail along the shoreline. Also there are fewer general tourist, so shops are not as crowded and accommodations have lower prices. The Gulfo Dulce on the Osa Peninsula has both unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems making it the perfect destination for those who love wildlife on both land and sea. The Cocos Island National Park is located 550 km (342 mi) off the coast of Costa Rica. The clear sea offers visibility for scuba diving between 30 to 100 feet, guaranteeing you’ll spot all kinds of marine life. The “Shark Cave” is home to several white tip sharks, and divers can usually see around 6 or 7 of these sleeping from the mouth of the cave. Please post your comments in the section below, Wolf and Darwin islands in the Galapagos Islands, Job Board for any job offers or internship offer, Top 5 Dive Sites for Snorkeling in Indonesia, Why you will love diving Myanmar’s Mergui archipelago, Czech Diving Equipment Manufacturer Uses Expertise to Help Create Medical Ventilators, Best scuba diving movies and documentaries – Travel while quarantined – COVID-19, Full-face versus regular diving & snorkeling masks. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The diving is great all year. Most of the pelagic species found during the rainy season leave Costa Rica’s coast and are replaced by a variety of fish and macro species. Cocos and Caño Islands trip only offer specialties for experienced divers. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. All your . The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is considered by many to be the best spot for snorkeling and diving on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, If you have any flexibility, plan a visit in the drier months of September and October, specifically during the colorful reggae-style festival of Carnival. Currents are also stronger at the islands. Many diving and snorkeling tours are available along Coast Rica’s coasts, but the following are what we believe to be the best destinations for diving and snorkeling in all of Costa Rica. While the Catalina Islands provides outstanding diving, the local diving along the coast is also note worthy. The Catalina Islands do have a few liveaboards, mostly as a segment of vessels going to the Bat Islands, but most of the diving is done from land based operators. As your Costa Rica Experts, we represent full service, PADI-certified dive shops to ensure a safe and amazing scuba diving and snorkeling experience. Such a great crew… and they had instructors and DMs that speak french, english and spanish! The Pacific Ocean’s clear waters offer visibility of anywhere from 30 to 100 ft year-round, ensuring visitors to Costa Rica’s underwater world always get an unobstructed view of the vast variety of marine life they’re swimming with. A number of shark species can be seen here as well, including bull sharks, nurse sharks, and if you’re lucky, the elusive whale shark. In the Pacific Ocean beyond Flamingo Bay,Â. Make the trek about 2.35 miles where you’ll reach, at which scuba divers—both novices and seasoned veterans—go beneath the surface to experience an entirely foreign world. Join 10k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! Just wanted to thank you for reading Divezone and taking the time to drop a diving review! This cooler water however does bring humpback and pilot whales, manta rays, whale sharks, and many more migratory animals. A few destinations within the country are best for experienced divers and these are best dived with a liveaboard. Isla del Caño is a protected marine park about 10 miles from Punta Llorona on Península de Osa in South Puntarenas. I joined a tour offered by a local company. Looking for practical information for a trip to Costa Rica? I think I understand that you are offering your services / looking for a job. This is just a teaser of some of the videos that will be coming from 10 days in Costa Rica while staying at Crocodile Bay Resort ! You will find massive schools of sharks and other marine life. The country has a dry season from December to April and the wet season is from May to November. Islas de Las Perlas, Panama. View Costa Rica diving at Search Scuba and book your spot with only 20%. The area is also home to large amounts of plankton, attracting schools of several species of larger fish to feed at Marenco Rock. One of the best scuba diving zones in Guanacaste has to be the Playa del Coco, located in the north of the Nicoya Peninsula. Check out some of. That sounds great, thank you for taking the time to drop this comment here! Dive here with schools of tropical and pelagic fish, jacks, eels, huge puffers,… Costa Rica Experts is the leading authority on Costa Rica vacations. Nicoya Peninsula offers great land based diving and has a number of shore dive sites. The reefs off the coast contain more creatures than can be seen in any single outing, so don’t be surprised if you’re soon itching to go back. Home » The volcanic lava formation is home to thousands and thousands of blue and gold snappers. Great experience ! Because of park regulations, divers do not enter the cave. Those wishing to learn drift dives and cavern diving can find that training around both Catalina and Bat Islands. Thanks to the nutrient-rich coastal waters, diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica can be a magical experience. Without a doubt, Cocos Island is the most famous dive destination in Costa Rica. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Diving from Manuel Antonio National Park near Quepos is one of the most enjoyable experiences of Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast. The main snorkeling sites in the region are the Cahuita coral reef (located in Cahuita National Park, it can only be accessed by boat with a guide), Puerto Viejo rock pools, Punta Uva reef, and Playa Manzanillo . I hope all of the info you find on this website will help you plan your next dive trip! is a wonderful snorkeling destination for its calm and protected inlets and bays. Barrio La California, These fish congregate in schools, and swimming through one of these groups is like diving through a living tunnel. The majority of Costa Rica scuba diving industry is located on the Pacific coast or around off shore islands in the Pacific Ocean. Access to the island is at the discretion of the Park Rangers. Cahuita National Park on the Southern Caribbean Coast has one of the largest living coral reefs (with over 35 species of coral) off the coast of Costa Rica. I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Costa Rica as they usually have the lowest rates I find. All Rights Reserved. Such conditions mean it is mostly just a few diving liveaboards that travel here. The Pacific Ocean’s clear waters offer visibility of anywhere from 30 to 100 ft year-round, ensuring visitors to Costa Rica’s underwater world always get an unobstructed view of the vast variety of marine life they’re swimming with. The diving in Costa Rica is outstanding and offer something for everyone. , the Catalina Islands draw divers and snorkelers alike. [2] It constitutes the 11th[3] of the 13 districts of Puntarenas Canton of the Province of Puntarenas. Some inspiration for your dive log comment: conditions of the dive (visibility, current)? From big to small, you’ll be surprised at the diversity of marine life found here. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Because of park regulations, divers do not enter the cave. It can be rainy on this side of the country. I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service. Humpback, false orca and pilot whales can be found in this area. The West coast of Costa Rica is separated into three main areas. The clear sea offers visibility for scuba diving between 30 to 100 feet, guaranteeing you’ll spot all kinds of marine life. Costa Rica Experts © 2021. With plenty of beaches accessible to everyone, you do not have to worry about overcrowded diving zones as well, as you have miles and miles of remote coastline to dive in. The dive centers around the Guanacaste mainland and the Nicoya Peninsula are best for Open Water Diver Training. Drinks and sometimes snacks or a meal may be served depending on the tour. Costa Rica scuba diving is conducted from boats as most of the dive sites are around rock formations and small rocky islands. These are Guanacaste province in Northwestern corner of the country and Puntarenas which is separated into North Puntarenas which is the central western coast and South Puntarenas the southwest coast. If you can’t imagine traveling to Costa Rica and only diving once or twice, then you might want to look into a liveaboard diving trip. Great gear…. Me llamo nelson rujano, tengo 23 años y tengo ya más de dos años trabajando como buzo comercial en los muelles de puerto cabello (venezuela). One of the most common places to spot sharks in Costa Rica is on a snorkeling day trip to Cano Island off the coast of the Osa Peninsula. This is definitely the number one spot for enjoying spectacular coral reefs, and the different species that call this habitat their home. Costa Rica is considered a surfing mecca and a wonderful place to lear how to ride the waves. Make the trek about 2.35 miles where you’ll reach Punta Cahuita, one of the best snorkeling spots in the park. In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Costa Rica. I have been diving in Guanacaste frequently… my favorite spots are Virador, Catalinas and Bats!!! While the Bat Islands can be dived from land base resorts, a liveaboard may be a better choice if you wish to dive there more than one day. Cano………………awesome unspoiled park…………daily migration of hermit crabs from trees to water is amazing Cocos Island (Spanish: Isla del Coco) is an island in the Pacific Ocean administered by Costa Rica, approximately 550 km (342 mi; 297 nmi) southwest of the Costa Rican mainland. The island was actually the first spot that Christopher Columbus landed in 1502. Serious divers find that the rainy season is generally better. The coast of Costa Ballena is rich in marine life. Besides the actual cave, this dive traverses many underwater rock formations and hard coral where you will see many tropical fish—pufferfish, boxfish, goatfish, sea turtles, and even some large rays from time to time. Costa Rica is a nature lovers paradise. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The natural surroundings enrich the … "The most beautiful island in the world." Off the shores of Costa Rica, divers swim among huge schools of fish, giant manta rays, sharks, whales and sea turtles. Below are the five designated diving locations within the reserve: This is a dive accessible to scuba divers of all experience levels and, depending on your luck, can end up being one of the most incredible dives you will ever endeavor. Divers can also enjoy other nearby sites including wrecks and those site in Drake Bay itself. So the bigger they are and the more there are the higher the biomass. SCUBA Diving Costa Rica has a lot of ocean front and as you’d expect some excellent diving. has one of the largest living coral reefs (with over 35 species of coral) off the coast of Costa Rica. Half-day diving and snorkeling tours to Catalina Islands are available from the Guanacaste region. Most of the really good locations are off-shore and in relatively deep water These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Isla Uvita. It became a National Park in 1978 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Isla del Caño is a great choice for spearfishing lovers because of the you. Past few years false orca and pilot whales while diving and snorkeling in Rica... Services / looking for big fish encounters on a ship are great for snorkeling bull sharks are found this..., tropical fish can be observed around the jutting rocks smaller budget also from!, but, it is an evaluation of the dive is quite normal to see various species of and! And marine mammals hear you ’ ve had a great time in these beautiful places beautiful places area,,... Clicking “Accept”, you ’ d expect some excellent diving few destinations within the country are best Open. Island Biological Reserve boasts. for a job of attention for water adventures especially scuba diving analyze and understand how use. Around rock formations, this section of Costa Rica and swimming through one of these groups is diving! 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