activities

While diving in Costa Rica may not be the crystal clear yet aquarium style diving you find in the Caribbean, so what. This is true open sea diving. There are no pre-established feeding areas for stingrays or crowed dolphin viewing areas. This is true open sea diving. Costa Rica offers coastal coral reefs to protected offshore islands. This range in habitats offers divers an opportunity to see diverse and beautiful marine life that include giant manta rays, frog fish , sea turtles, stingrays, angel fish, octopus , puffer fish, sea fans, dolphins, white tip reef sharks, sea horses, starfish, yellowtails, spotted eagle rays, large schools of jack, wahoos, and snapper, and if you are lucky humpback whales, pilot whales, orcas, and even false killer whales. There are a number of dive shops that offer daily dives. It you are an experience or beginner diver you will find excitement here. And for those of you that have always wanted to dive there are certification courses as well. Many of our staff got certified here and continue to come back to dive years later.

There are four major dive spots we recommend for diving.

• North Pacific
  The northwest pacific coast in the Gulf of Papagayo offer quality dive spots, including Culebra Bay and the Bat Islands (Islas Murcielagos), and Santa Catalina Islands, both great places to see big fish and sharks. The visibility in this area starts around 30ft and can range towards 70+ feet depending on the conditions while the water temperature is best from June to September.

• Osa Peninsula and Cano Island
  Some of the best diving in the country is found offshore of the Cano Island National Park. Cano Island is a short boat ride from Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. The reefs off the island offer some of the best wildlife viewing around. The best visibility occurs during the dry season, though the water tends to be pretty clear year round. Cano Island also offers great snorkeling tours. The clear water around the island offers great views of colorful schools of fish. The island makes a great location to snorkel and enjoy the beach.

• Caribbean
  The Caribbean coast does not offer the same quality off-shore diving spots as the Pacific but it makes up for it with the amazing coral reefs just off shore. The country's largest coastal reef is protected within Cahuita National Park, while Punta Cocles, Punta Uva, and Playa Manzanillo have healthier coral formation and plenty of wildlife. Many of the coral areas are just a short swim from the shore. The best visibility is from March to early May and from mid August to mid November. There a number of places to rent equipment and eve boat taxis along the coast.

• Cocos Island
  Located nearly 330 miles of off the coast of Costa Rica lays Cocos Island National Park. Cocos Island offers some of the best diving anywhere. Diving a Coco Island is not a simple day dive. Cocos Island tours include a 10 day trip on a 40+ foot boat with a 36 hour ride to the island and back. Since Cocos is a protected natural park there is no lodging on the island. The boats are set up with comfortable cabins and dining areas. Tours include 3 tanks dives a day at different locations and if you are up for some big fish you will see it here. Divers often witness rays, dolphins and hammerhead sharks, which sometimes gathering in schools of 30 or 40 animals. This is a truly luxurious and amazing tour, one you will not forget.