Costa Rica Offers Spectacular
Diving And Snorkelling

Costa Rica has a wide range of great options for scuba diving and snorkelling. Casual underwater tourists can try their luck from the beach in Manuel Antonio on the Pacific or Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean shores. Many beach hotels rent snorkelling gear and know all thelocal spots to explore submerged rocks and reefs.

Visibility varies by season, and underwater adventurers are best rewarded during dry season explorations (December – April). During the rainy season, heavy rains may cause rivers to swell, and runoff can make ocean waters murky. Despite these conditions, scuba divers are almost always rewarded with dynamite views – diving tours will take guests out into the deep blue sea, far away from cloudy water and river runoff.

Northern Pacific Coast

The Northern Pacific’s gentle, clear waters are ideal for snorkellers and novice scuba divers where dive shops cater to both. For novice snorkellers, the North Pacific is an also ideal area to begin – shallow water, beginner tours and gentle waves all contribute to a smooth, enjoyable first snorkelling experience. Introduction scuba courses are offered, as are full PADI certifications.

One of the best scuba diving zones is Playa del Coco, with a plethora of marine life including Stingrays, Sharks, Whales, Dolphins, Turtles, Eels and schools of vibrant tropical fish to enjoy. Other great diving sites include Isla Catalina and Isla Murcielagos, Playa Hermosa, Playa Ocotal, Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo.

With numerous dive operators available in this area, renting scuba diving equipment and gear as well as going out for a dive is never a problem. Sailboat snorkelling cruises, colour-filled open water dives and scuba courses are given daily

Central Pacific Coast

The Central Pacific underwater world is known more for its diverse marine life and volcanic formations than its coral, especially in the shallower waters. Millions of fish and other marine life live among the reefs in Manuel Antonio, including White-Tip Sharks, Sea Turtles, Eagle Rays And Sting Rays, Seahorse, Puffers, Jacks, Parrot Fish, Grunts, Shrimp and Lobster. Living coral reefs are commonly found at diving depths. Shallow depths reveal interesting volcanic formations, schools of fish and reefs covered in diverse plant life.

Water temperatures average between 26 – 27°C, and visibility ranges from 15 to 30 feet, depending on the weather and season. The best time of year for snorkelling and diving is during the dry season, from mid-November through April. The rest of the year is weather dependent.

Southern Pacific (Osa Peninsula)

Like the Central Pacific, the Southern Pacific is best known for its marine life. Water temperatures are warm year-round (25 – 27°C) and visibility ranges from decent to very good (15-60+ feet). Visibility is at its best from December through April.

Isla de Caño, long recognized as one of Costa Rica’s hottest snorkelling and scuba diving spots, has recently moved into the spotlight as one of the world’s best diving locations. Just 12 miles offshore from Drake Bay on the northern tip of the Osa Peninsula, Cano Island is both a biological and archaeological reserve.

A variety of underwater attractions have helped to make Cano Island an even more popular destination. Most formations are volcanic in origin, though there are some sedimentary rock formations closer to Corcovado National Park. Volcanic mounds and canyons, long reefs and eighty-foot walls offer habitat for a wide array of marine life, including both open water and reef fish.

Dive opportunities in the area range from 15 to 80ft wall dives. Snorkelling off Cano Island’s shores reveals an abundance of marine life including Cup Corals, Head Corals And Sea Fans, Damsel Fish, Puffer, King Angel Fish, Parrot Fish, Triggers and Eels. White-Tip Reef Sharks, Stingrays, Sea Turtles and Grouper are also found near some of the best dive sites.

Isla de Coco (Coco Island)

Billed as one of the Top 10 Scuba Destinations In The World, the spectacular Coco Island is filled with amazing colours, unique sea life and incredible diving
opportunities rarely experienced elsewhere. The lush, uninhabited island is located about 310 miles off Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific Coast and, while difficult to each, is worth every effort.

Undisturbed waters hiding rocky pinnacles around Isla del Coco’s shores attract large sea animals and schools of fish. In fact, Isla del Coco has more in common with the nearby Galapagos (trips often combine the two destinations) than the mainland.

Because of its rich environment, divers at Coco Island are treated to some of the most diverse and concentrated views in their diving careers; in one dive, expect to see Hammerhead, White-Tip Reef Shark, Brown and Blue-Spotted Jacks, Crevalle, Greater Amberjacks, Mobula Rays, Wahoo, Galapagos Sharks, Bull Sharks and many other marine species.

South Caribbean

Famous for its expansive acres of coral, the South Caribbean coast offers some of the best snorkelling in all of Costa Rica. The prime months are usually Marchthrough May and September through mid-November. Early morning is ideal because the ocean is calm.

The Southern Caribbean’s living reef supports more than 35 types of coral, 11 species of sponge, 27 species of algae and 34 species of molluscs. Angelfish, Blue Parrot Fish, Anemones, Crabs, Starfish, Sea Fans and Sea Cucumbers are some of the wildlife encountered on the reefs. Sea Turtles and Atlantic Tarpon may also be spotted.

One of the best places for snorkelling along the Southern Caribbean coast is Cahuita National Park, where more than 35 coral species reside in the town’s 600 acres of shallow reef.