At the Bats dive site Big Scare, divers brave the strong currents and choppy surface conditions to look for huge bull sharks. Costa Rica holds dozens of critical nesting areas, many of which are monitored and protected by noble volunteer efforts. This PADI Dive Training Facility runs 4 diving trips daily making sure there’s always room for their guest. The Costa Rica Caribbean. Bocas del Toro is sufficiently isolated from large cities, it’s well outside the Caribbean’s hurricane zone, and its reefs have some of the best preserved hard and soft corals. Caribbean diving in Costa Rica offers the chance to enjoy colorful coral reefs and seagrass habitat. The only way to access the. Scuba diving in Costa Rica is a really great idea for entertainment. It is one of the premier dive locations to see schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks, found off Cocos Island. When I arrived in Utila, Honduras—one of country’s three Bay Islands, which are located in the Caribbean—I had no intention of scuba diving … The beach gets its name from the chocolate colored sand that borders the ocean. Boat trips in the Catalinas are a great part of the experience, with common visits from dolphins, humpback whales, false killer whales, and breaching mobula rays. The Caribbean coast stretches for some 125 miles between Panama and Nicaragua.The region is sparsely populated, but has splendid beaches, excellent fishing, great water sports and it gives endless opportunities for getting close to … 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. If you're a diver and you're spending a few days on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica it's definitely worth booking a day's diving here. Most diving in Costa Rica can be organized from land-based dive centers. Each side is very different. The best diving in Costa Rica, though, is arguably at the Cocos Islands, 300 miles off the mainland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Costa Rica, you can find many places where you can enjoy the best scuba diving experience. Dive vacations in Costa Rica offer something to satisfy every adventure craving. On the Pacific side, Isla del Caño, Bat Island, and the Catalina Islands offer the best diving options. The best time to see hammerheads, mantas, and whale sharks at Cocos Island is June through September, even though the crossing from the mainland can be rough. Also at Cocos, divers will likely encounter whale sharks, marlin, sailfish, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks. Scuba Diving The Bat Islands The Bat Islands are a world class dive location that has been protected by the Costa Rican government. Its most famous dive site is Bajo Alcyone, a seamount with cleaning stations which draw manta rays, whale sharks, and hundreds of scalloped hammerheads. Here you'll have the opportunity to see giant manta rays, swimming alongside brightly colored tropical fish and sharks. Copyright © 2021 Scubago™. The average depth is anywhere from 6 to 12 meters. The Caribbean is warm with reefs that protect many brightly colored species. It is absolutely beautiful. Click on the map to select a costal region. On the Caribbean side there are over 120 species of fish and beautiful coral while the diving on the Pacific side is adventurous where diving … Visibility in Costa Rican dive sites improves with the distance from shore, since there are many rivers in Costa Rica. Enter your registered email address and we will send you link to reset your password. In general, the islands offer a … The rocky landscape on the Pacific side is not colorful or diverse. We are also approved by the Costa Rica Tourism Board and partner with a local Marine Conservation non-profit. The Islands are located in the far north of Costa Rica and are at the edge of Santa Rosa National Park. Dive with hundreds of hammerhead sharks at Cocos Island or try an adrenaline-filled dive with bull sharks at Bat Island. Guanacaste and Puntarenas regions also have plenty to offer, as do the clear waters of the Caribbean coast. Caribbean Costa Rica Scuba Diving On the Caribbean side, Costa Rica scuba diving is not as developed. No worries, a number of companies will help learn all you need to know to earn your certification. Without a doubt, Cocos Island is the most famous dive destination in Costa Rica. Costa Rica If you’re looking for something with a bit of history, Isla del Coco is right up your alley. The language spoken is Spanish, but English is widely understood in tourist areas. Boasting the most unexplored dives and the country's best visibility, Drake Bay is in a league of its own. The shipwrecks are easy to explore since they are not in very deep water. Costa Rica scuba diving, Pacific side The best time to go scuba diving in Costa Rica. In the Southwest check out Cano Island. A diving adventure to Isla del Coco is only for experienced scuba divers with a truly adventurous spirit. If you are already an experienced diver and have completed the diving course, you will certainly appreciate our diving trips. 1. Here, scuba divers gather at Cocos Island, a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site , to dance in the water with manta rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks. Costa Rica diving is at its best near Playas del Coco. Diving in Costa Rica Diving in Costa Rica is a great way to discover the underwater riches of this beautiful country. The eastern coast of Costa Rica is on the Caribbean Sea and the western coast is on the Pacific Ocean, both coasts are generally warm and humid all year round. Answer 1 of 4: I'm visiting Costa Rica this September and I plan on scuba diving. Which is what keeps it one of the best kept secrets. Costa Rica is not considered a world-class dive spot except in one extremely remote location, Isla del Coco, which Jacques Cousteau called “the most beautiful island in the world.”It’s famous for big schools of hammerhead sharks and Galapagos-like isolation. Please remember to add JaviTheFrog@GoVisitCostaRica.com to your email whitelist or add me as an email contact to ensure you get all my emails, don't worry I will never spam you. Costa Rica diving is mostly about seeing big animals and abundant marine life. Scuba diving in Costa Rica, Best places The best diving spots in Costa Rica are located typically in the Pacific side. Isla del Coco was described by Jacques Cousteau as “the most beautiful island in the world.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located 483 kilometers/300 miles southwest of Cabo Blanco. Scuba diving in Costa Rica is the best way to experience the country’s ‘Rich Coast.’ Costa Rican waters, especially on the Pacific side are teeming with life, fed by the nutritious west coast currents and plankton blooms. Aquacenter Diving Costa Rica. Diving schools can be found in the Playas del Coco area of ​​Guanacaste, Uvita in Puntarenas, and Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side. Diving Costa Rica. It usually rains for a couple of hours each afternoon during rainy season. Located on the Caribbean side of Panama, it’s one of the premier sites for scuba diving. The diving is not well established and there is a lot of reef damage. Special local inhabitants include turtles, dolphins, and even manatees and saltwater crocodiles. Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity on its land and in its waters. Costa Rica. However, rainy season is considered much better for certain dive experiences, because the season’s plankton bloom attracts many big animals. This Pacific diving attracts divers to some of the best diving in the world. Scuba diving in Costa Rica. It is a great place to see various species of sharks and manta, as well as humpback whales and huge schools of fish. Come Scuba Diving to Costa Rica and enjoy a world class dive destination. There are an assortment of exhilarating places to explore fish, sharks and sting rays, to name a few, but the crowd favorites are: Drake Bay, Playa Hermosa and Manuel Antonio. However, a dive liveaboard is the only way to reach Cocos Island, and some liveaboards also travel to Cano in order to spend extra time at all its excellent dive sites. Other reef species in Costa Rica include barracuda, schools of snapper, spadefish, grunts, jacks, eagle rays, mobula rays, moray eels, and huge lobsters. Divers in Costa Rica will likely see some of these intelligent, awe-inspiring creatures on the way to their dive sites, but it’s also worth considering a dedicated whale- or dolphin-watching tour. Each side is very different. Costa Rica posted May 29th, 2015 at 5:21pm One way is flying into San Jose, then getting whisked away to Puntarenas, where you'll get on a live-aboard vessel for a 300-mile ride south to Cocos Island. Costa Rica lies in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. With the ability to dive the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the amazing Cocos Islands, a diver will never get bored. Scuba Diving in Costa Rica Situated between Panama and Nicaragua, the small country of Costa Rica is known for its unique beauty, with lush rainforests, active volcanoes, and some of the rarest wildlife on Earth. During these months, divers will benefit from calmer seas and visibility reaching 100 feet (30 meters). Where to you want to go? Get the inside scoop on the best of places to go and things to see in Costa Rica in our free weekly newsletter. There are a few scuba outfiters in the nearby town of Puerto Viejo. Still, Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast is one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas in the country. Shark-lovers will jump at the opportunity to see other rarely-encountered species like galapagos sharks, silky sharks, and tiger sharks. It is also the best time to dive in Costa Rica for beginner divers who prefer easy, colorful diving. Go in search of these giants or simply enjoy colourful coral reefs and seagrass beds teeming with life. Scuba Diving in Costa Rica Water temperature: From mid-May to mid-December, water temperatures are generally in the range of 24-26 C (75-79 F). Thank You for Signing Up for the Pura Vida Newsletter, The Westin Golf Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal. Caño Island (Isla del Caño) enjoys some of the best visibility conditions in Costa Rica, which give divers a chance to wonder at its colorful coral reefs. Seamounts and volcanic islands offer good opportunities for wall diving and drift diving, and provide interesting caverns to explore. Scuba Diving Costa Rica’s Northern Peninsula. In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in … If you’re a fan of sharks, Cocos Island should be your top choice for Costa Rica scuba diving. From young adventurers to families with kids. Those who know this country well will remember that less than a decade ago, Costa Rica was completely unknown as a scuba diving destination. Enjoy our diving, snorkeling and other activities. It is Costa Rica’s most exquisite marine park and one of the top diving destinations in the world. Which is what keeps it one of the best kept secrets. Whether you're a certified pro or a beginner, there are several companies that will take you on an underwater adventure of a lifetime. If you're susceptible to seasickness, you might consider looking for a Cocos tour during the dry season. The best diving spots in Costa Rica – Coco Island Cocos Island is a paradise for divers and the best dive site in Costa Rica! We are a PADI Career development and technical dive center located on the central pacific coast of Costa Rica, Central America and we are dedicated to helping you explore the underwater world in Costa Rica. There are also a few wrecks in Costa Rican waters which lie within recreational diving limits. You’ll find an array of permanent and migratory species off the coast of Costa Rica, from massive humpback whales to gentle manta rays. We love our ocean and want to introduce you to the amazing, safe and fun sport of scuba diving and snorkeling. The reef features 35 different varieties of coral, including the dramatic giant elkhorn coral. However, you may find some good spots for scuba diving in the South Caribbean. The best months for scuba diving Costa Rica are September and October when the waters are more transparent because they are the months when there is less rain in this area. One of the world’s top ten scuba diving destinations, Cocos Island features an amazing display of biodiversity among ethereal underwater experiences. Native Costa Ricans do not like that side for reasons I will not go in to with out violating the TOS. Book your dive easily online. The best diving spots in Costa Rica – Coco Island. You can spot sea turtles, octopus, white tip and reef sharks, lobsters and more tropical fish than you'll know what to do with. Does … Dive with hundreds of hammerhead sharks at Cocos Island or try an adrenaline-filled dive with bull sharks at Bat Island. All rights reserved. This lush, uninhabited island is located 340 miles off Costa Rica’s south Costa Rica diving is mostly about seeing big animals and abundant marine life. Costa Rica offers divers an abundance of marine life. The turtles use the ocean to eat and breed and the beaches to lay their eggs. It is a great place to see various species of sharks and manta, as Aquacenter Diving Costa Rica. 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