Diving is one of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica. If you have never tried it before, it is a great opportunity to dive for the first time or even do the whole diving course. Today we want to introduce you to several places that are considered to be the best places to dive in Costa Rica.

Isla del Caño

It is a small tropical island that is located on the Pacific Ocean, near the Osa Peninsula. The whole area of the island and the waters around the island are strictly protected due to the biological reserve created here. It is one of the best places for diving and snorkeling. Around the island you can find many sea creatures, including whales, dolphins and sharks. There is a reason why the Isla del Caño is at the top of our list. Due to its unique beauty it should be a must on every trip to Costa Rica. You can read more about Isla del Caño here: Isla del Caño - Practical Tourist Information

Bat Islands

The Bat Islands or Islas Murcielagos are one of the most unique dive destinations in Costa Rica. Islands are located north of the Guanacaste province, in Santa Rosa National Park. It is a perfect spot if you are interested in diving with bull sharks. In fact, it is the only place in Costa Rica where you can see them. Marine biologists are trucking them to understand why they choose this specific place. But on Bat Islands you can find much more than bull sharks. There are huge schools of fish, small ones and big. And let’s not forget about rays! There may be lots of them, in different sizes.

Tortuga Island

Tortuga island is a popular place to visit and is located on the Nicoya Pennisula Gulf in Costa Rica. Most trips starts from Jaco or Quepos area. It is a must if you are around Montezuma area and it takes around 30-45 minutes by boat.

Around the island there are few dive sites. Some of them are perfect for the beginners, like: Mortero 22 - 49 feet (7- 15 meters) or Cañones 16 - 100 feet (5 - 30 meters).

On few dive sites you may experience currents and bad visibility. One of the shipwrecks is called Franklin Chang Wreck and it lays at the depth of 75 feet (23 meters), and the top is on 56 feet (17 meters) below the surface. Every year there are more marine life and fish on the wreck. You can find their hundreds of Jacks and Snappers.

Catalina Island

Catalina island is a famous dive spot in Guanacaste province, on Pacific side of Costa Rica. It usually takes around one hour to get to the Catalina island. You can get there from Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo and others places located in the northern parts of Guanacaste.

Around island there are few dive sites, but there are more for more advanced divers. There may be strong current and often rough surface conditions. Divers should be familiar with drift diving.

While diving you can find white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, giant sting rays, giant manta rays and devil manta rays. Between the months of September and March you have chance to spot a whale sharks, killer whales, spinner dolphins, tiger sharks or humpbacks. But let's not forget about smaller creatures. On the waters around Catalina island you can find schools of fish like: barracudas, barberfish, angelfish, scorpion fish and even more. Because of the marine life it is recommend to take a camera with you. All the videographers and photographers will be pleased during diving around Catalina Island.

Cocos Islands

Cocos island is probably the most famous dive spot in Costa Rica and on the world. It is a dream for most of the divers. Entire island is a National Park and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Island is 330 miles (523 km) southwest of the eastern Pacific Ocean side. It takes about 30 hours by boat to get there. Only few boats are allowed to take divers there, and it is usually one - two weeks trip on a liveaboard.

The island itself is a beautifully jungle covered national park. There is a legend about treasure hidden somewhere around island. An interesting fact is that the first part of Jurassic Park was filmed on Cocos Island.

The conditions around Cocos Island can be difficult, so recommended for experienced divers only. Most of the dive sites are between 60 - 100 feet deep (18 - 30 meters). Visibility depends on the conditions but most of the times is around 32 - 100 (10 - 30 meters). Best conditions of the see are from December to May, but from June to November there are biggest chances to see Hammerhead sharks, Whale sharks and Manta Rays.

All year long you have big chances to see fish like: marlin, barracudas and sailfish. But the real reason for diving in waters on Cocos Island are sharks. You can see lots of them! White tips reef sharks, hammerheads, silky sharks, silver tips sharks and even whale sharks. And let's not forget about turtles, like hawksbill turtles. At certain times of the year there are lots of them. Some of the Costa Rica beaches are a place where turtles come to lay eggs.

Cocos Island is a must go for every diver. You can get there only on liveaboards and on the island there are no accommodations. Entry to the island is by permit only.

Scuba Diving in Costa Rica

As you can see, Costa Rica has a lot to offer, and diving in Costa Rica can be an amazing experience. We strongly recommend trying to dive deep into the ocean and see for yourself the beauty of the underwater world of Costa Rica. But even if you are not ready for diving, ordinary snorkeling will also bring you a lot of joy and nice views. Just a mask and snorkel to watch underwater creatures in their natural environment. This is definitely on the "I have to do" list in Costa Rica.

If you want to learn more about diving in Costa Rica, we refer you to: Scuba Diving In Costa Rica