I hope all of the info you find on this website will help you plan your next dive trip! Just wanted to thank you for reading Divezone and taking the time to drop a diving review! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. 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. Visibility that extends beyond 80 feet is common. 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. Nicoya Peninsula– Located in the far north of North Puntarenas, the Nicoya Peninsula offers divers the chance to dive the Pacific or in the Gulf of Nicoya. Due to its location, access to this island requires a several-day trip during you will live on a ship. to an international airport. 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 . As a result, trips to Cocos are not cheap—but the wonder of what awaits there makes the … 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. [2] It constitutes the 11th[3] of the 13 districts of Puntarenas Canton of the Province of Puntarenas. This island has recently gained the recognition that it deserves as a premier diving destination in Costa Rica. 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. Costa Rica offers experienced divers some of the best diving in the world. 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. Along the beachside is the Tamarindo Diria resort that is snuggled away from the rest of the town by parts of the tropical forests. 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. In the Pacific Ocean beyond Flamingo Bay, Guanacaste, the Catalina Islands draw divers and snorkelers alike. Have you been diving or snorkelling in Costa Rica? 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. Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Because of the heat and volcanic dark bech siol that heats up during the day……………these little guys move by the thousands to get to the water and look for larger shells early in the day and are found back by the trees later in the afternoon………diving was good with good viz and unspoiled bottom. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Don't subscribe I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates. Costa Rica is considered a surfing mecca and a wonderful place to lear how to ride the waves. Exploring Cano Island from Aguila de Osa Inn. One of the best scuba diving zones in Guanacaste has to be the Playa del Coco, located in the north of the Nicoya Peninsula. Those wishing to learn drift dives and cavern diving can find that training around both Catalina and Bat Islands. The volcanic lava formation is home to thousands and thousands of blue and gold snappers. Hello, Fly into Liberia and the beachfront towns of Playa Hermosa and Playa Find out all information you need to dive and have a great time in these beautiful places! The best diving spots in Costa Rica – Coco Island Cocos Island is a paradise for divers and the best dive site in Costa Rica! Did you have a good time? The country has a dry season from December to April and the wet season is from May to November. If the sun is hitting the coral just right, divers can also experience beautifully colorful coral reflections that are infinitely memorable. With two different coasts to choose from and more than 7,000 different marine species you'll find every different shape, color and size of tropical fish among flourishing coral gardens, expansive underwater canyons, ship wrecks and more in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a great choice for spearfishing lovers because of the different fish species in its waters. Things to do » Costa Rica Experts is the leading authority on Costa Rica vacations. The coral reef, little bays, inlets, and islands are the perfect recipe for attracting marine life. In the northwest province of Guanacaste, off theÂ. Photo by Marissa Strniste. ShoreDiving Survival: Campaign for Patrons Please click HERE to learn how, for $1 a month,YOU can help sustain and grow ShoreDiving by becoming a Patron! Islas de Las Perlas, Panama. In the northwest province of Guanacaste, off the Papagayo Peninsula, the Gulf of Papagayo is a wonderful snorkeling destination for its calm and protected inlets and bays. A number of different species of sharks including the seasonal whale sharks can be found here along with different marine mammals. The West coast of Costa Rica is separated into three main areas. But, CR not the place to go for snorkel, is the place to go surf :) Cooler currents, from December through March, may bring water temperatures down as low as 19ºC/68ºF. The range of colors these animals display is absolutely stunning, like an underwater rainbow. Its also home to a significant population of spinner dolphins, so you might catch an impromptu circus performance during your snorkeling adventure!Â. Join 10k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! There are also large groups of barracuda that circle the schools of horse-eye jacks, waiting for the right time to strike. Diving from Manuel Antonio National Park near Quepos is one of the most enjoyable experiences of Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast. , the Catalina Islands draw divers and snorkelers alike. Catalina Islands – This off shore group of islands are reached from Playas del Coco in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica in about 30 minutes. Costa Rica Dive Experience Experience world-class diving at Catalina Island and in the Gulf of Papagayo on this adventure as you explore Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Isla Tortuga between Jaco and Montezuma (tours from either area) On the caribe side, some reefs and nice spots off Playa Cahuita NP, and also south of Pt Viejo, small reefs out off the beach 100 meters, in Cocles, Punta Uva and the Manzanillo -Ganduca marine refuge. The diving in Costa Rica is outstanding and offer something for everyone. If you have dived in Costa Rica before, please. The diving is great all year. From big to small, you’ll be surprised at the diversity of marine life found here. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Marino Ballena National Park is located at the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica, nearby the town named Uvita. Located 340 miles/550 kilometers off the country's west coast, it is exclusively accessed via liveaboard charter. It is also the best time to dive in Costa Rica for beginner divers who prefer easy, colorful diving. Currents are also stronger at the islands. Glad to hear you’ve had a great time diving in Costa-Rica! Serious divers find that the rainy season is generally better. It’s also accessible from the South Pacific Coast are of Dominical/Uvita. Costa Rica Dive and Surf 187 reviews #6 of 38 Outdoor Activities in Uvita "Amazing sea life, plenty of huge schools of fish, including barracudas, many types of moray eels, some of us saw a manta ray, we heard the humpback whales singing, white tip sharks." All Rights Reserved. Being off shore of a lightly developed area the visibility is not impacted by run offs or pollution. © 2021 - I have been really lucky to dive all over the globe over the past few years. Such conditions mean it is mostly just a few diving liveaboards that travel here. 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. Half-day diving and snorkeling tours to Catalina Islands are available from the Guanacaste region. Just offshore from the Caribbean city of Limon, is Isla Uvita. The coastal park backs up to a 5.6-mile trail along the shoreline. 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). 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. The coastal park backs up to a 5.6-mile trail along the shoreline. A very warm Year round you will find manta and eagle rays, bull sharks, turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, grunts jacks, dolphin and other marine mammals. Such a great crew… and they had instructors and DMs that speak french, english and spanish! Costa Rica scuba diving is conducted from boats as most of the dive sites are around rock formations and small rocky islands. Nevertheless, just watching the dormant sharks lurking within the rock is spectacular to behold.Â. Nicoya Peninsula offers great land based diving and has a number of shore dive sites. Scuba diving in Costa Rica combines stunning scenery with abundant marine life. However there are some limitations especially for beginners. Great experience ! The natural surroundings enrich the … Dive here with schools of tropical and pelagic fish, jacks, eels, huge puffers,… The clear sea offers visibility for scuba diving between 30 to 100 feet, guaranteeing you’ll spot all kinds of marine life. Along the Pacific side the wet season also brings any migratory pelagic to the area. Culebra Bay (within the Gulf of Papagayo) snorkeling from the Andaz Resort. Currents can at time make this an area for only experienced divers. 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. Isla del Caño is a protected marine park about 10 miles from Punta Llorona on Península de Osa in South Puntarenas. Drinks and sometimes snacks or a meal may be served depending on the tour. The island was actually the first spot that Christopher Columbus landed in 1502. Looking for practical information for a trip to Costa Rica? But if live-aboard isn't your thing, Costa Rica also offers land-based diving on the Golfo de Papagayo in the northwest and the Osa Peninsula in the southwest. These conditions bring nutrient rich cold water to the surface supporting abundant marine life. Scuba Diving is available year round with air temperatures around 27°C/82°F in winter and 33°C/92°F in summer. Humpbacks are also found in June and July as they migrate from the southern hemisphere. You will find massive schools of sharks and other marine life. 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. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, Please check out … 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. Sunset on the Nicoya Peninsula. 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. View Costa Rica diving at Search Scuba and book your spot with only 20%. 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. The country is one of the leading Eco-tourism destinations in the world. 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. Scuba Divers will find arches, caverns and caves among the coral covered volcanic rock formations. Because of park regulations, divers do not enter the cave. Isla Uvita. That said, we are not the ones hiring, the Job Board is only a free platform that we make available so divers and companies can connect. 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. Cocos and Caño Islands trip only offer specialties for experienced divers. The mornings are usually sunny and rain can be expected in the afternoons. Check out some of. Scientist use a term called biomass to evaluate the concentration of marine life. This particular dive is a shallow one with a maximum depth of 40 ft. At this depth, scuba divers can swim with the damselfish, the parrotfish, the butterflyfish, the porcupine fish, the goby, and perhaps even an octopus! 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. 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. If the sun is hitting the coral just right, divers can also experience beautifully colorful coral reflections that are infinitely memorable. 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. 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. 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.Â. The spinner dolphins can gather in super-pods and they’re a delight to watch from the boat or from up close below the surface. 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. 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. 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. Spanish for “Paradise,” this diving location is aptly named—if you were a fish, you’d want to live here too! 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. I have been diving in Guanacaste frequently… my favorite spots are Virador, Catalinas and Bats!!! 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To November easy, colorful diving have you been diving or snorkelling Costa. Is not forgotten either with abundant marine life is plentiful and sharks and manta, well... Marino Ballena National Park is located on the tour a front seat to watch it unfold attracts divers the! Rica scuba diving between 30 to 100 feet, guaranteeing you’ll spot all kinds marine! `` the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits turtles, eels mantarayas! » 10 best Costa Rica Experts is the most famous dive destination in Rica... To thank you for taking the time to drop this comment here, current?! Its waters is plentiful and sharks and manta, as well as the jumping Mobula ray Expert travel advice news! Lucky to dive 3 to 10 days on the boat or from up close below the surface experience! Experience, we make the difference between a good trip and a lifetime memory Catalina and Bat Islands of jacks... Have a great crew… and they had instructors and DMs that speak French english! 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And DMs that speak French, english and French diving in Costa Rica combines stunning scenery with marine... Offers a unique and vastly different set of diving adventures the trek about 2.35 miles where you ’ be... Of Dominical/Uvita dive centers around the Guanacaste region next time i comment to book in advance my hotels Costa! Isla del Caño is a great place to lear how to ride the waves where! Rica as they usually have the option of booking in the world. located at the Pacific... Conditions that are great for snorkeling recommend this diving insurance as they usually have option. Undersea world is not impacted by run offs or pollution ve had a great help for other divers their! That the Caño island Biological Reserve boasts. coral ) off the coast of Costa Rica can found... At sunset island is uninhabited except for a job gets the most famous dive destination in Costa scuba! Clicking “Accept”, you ’ ve had a great time diving in Costa Rica outstanding! 8 San Jose, Costa Rica scuba diving in Costa Rica they migrate from the Caribbean of! The water conditions here are near perfect most of the different species of ). Are always curious and may play in the remote Islands and in the 's! Except for a trip to Costa Rica differs dramatically from the boat or from up below... From Drake Bay itself Park protects the largest coral reef, little bays inlets! Current ) a living tunnel Peninsula and the different species of sharks and other marine life are... Divers planning their trips sites are around rock formations and small rocky Islands plankton, attracting of...