SUBMERGE YOURSELF INTO A NEW REALM OF ADVENTURE

While in Costa Rica, you will find intense sea-land adventures. This country has put a lot of effort into protecting its natural resources, which reflects in the paradisiacal splendor of the flora and fauna found in the forests, the fascinating and imposing volcanoes, and beaches for all kinds of activities.

The long shores along the Pacific and the Caribbean, plus the tropical climate, will lead nature lovers to discover an undersea world of extraordinary beauty. Discover the spectacular shades resulting from the combination of a great number of marine landscapes, the coral reef formations among them, combined with thousands of colors offered by the different fish you may observe. The biodiversity coexisting in the coral reefs is only comparable with the one existent on tropical land forests.

So, once you decide to discover Costa Rica’s fascinating sea world, you will understand why this is one of the major eco-tourist destinations for some thrilling scuba diving adventures. The proof of this is the 2004 Readers' Choice Award, granted by Rodale 's Scuba Diving magazine to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast as one of the top five destinations of the world for advanced scuba diving.

FUN FOR EVERYONE

In the Pacific region, as well as in the Caribbean region, Costa Rica gets adrenaline pumping for all tastes and ages, depending on what kind of experiences you want to have.

The action of diving is thrilling for open water divers, who may practice it in the different areas of the country. There are places for the more experienced, who may wish to go deep. During the greatest part of the year, you may find a temperature ranging between 26ºC (78,8ºF) and 28ºC (82,4ºF) and extreme conditions caused by currents or thermocline; the temperature may descend to 19ºC (66,2ºF). These waters are home of sharks, octopuses and ray fish, among other kinds of marine fauna.

The main diving sites coincide with the very rich in marine biodiversity, most times located within the protected marine wildlife areas, with wetlands of the fringing type, which is one of the main habitats of the live forms and colors present.

NORTH PACIFIC REGION

This is one of the most frequented areas by divers from around the World. Just 30 minutes away from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, you will be near a great concentration of diving operators in the beaches of Hermosa, Coco, and Ocotal. Other places like the Bolaños and Negritos Islands also have conditions for diving, as well as of admiring a great marine diversity; they are located at approximately one hour and 45 minutes from this airport.

The temperature in this area ranges from 80ºF (24ºC) and 85ºF (27ºC), although these may vary depending on the season of the year, the currents, and the thermoclines.

Don't miss the awesome arches and coral formations of Santa Elena Bay, Blanca Beach Range, and Bajo Meros (ravine), a perfect place for beginners. You may also dive in Gorda Point, Bajo Tiburones, Negritos Island, Cabros Island, and Murciélago Islands, where you might find the bull sharks which measure up to 12 feet (Carcharhinus leucas) in their natural habitat. The best time to visit this site is from March through November. Despensa Island and Catalinas Islands are also a perfect spot for observing the abundant sea life, which is difficult to find anywhere else.

All these places are great for watching different species of sharks such as the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), dolphins, morays, and rayfish, among which noteworthy is the Golden ray (Rhinoptera steindachneri) or Pacific cownose ray, of the many existing Pellagic species.

PUNTARENAS AND THE GULF ISLANDS

An area with the convenience of a quick access, with good conditions (depending on the tides and marine currents) for snorkeling in the Curu National Wildlife Refuge and close to the tourist complexes found in the Tambor and Montezuma beaches. Also the islands located in the Gulf of Nicoya as the captivating Tortuga Island.

COCOS ISLAND

This world-famous National Park was established in 1978. In 1997, UNESCO declared it a World Natural Heritage Site.

Located in the Pacific side of Costa Rica, 543 km of Cabo Blanco, Coco’s Island is a real treasure that has been safeguarded, where you can dive deep into the sea and discover such unforgettable natural richness. To visit the Coco's Island you should contact a tour operator in order to organize your trip. The journey lasts approximately one day and a half, and when arriving to the Island, you will find anchoring services, lectures, walks, trails, and potable water.

Coco’s Island counts with a great diversity of natural environments, owing to conditions related to its geological origins, geographical location, and of being an oceanic island. Its flora and fauna, marine as well as terrestrial, are exceptional; even though they are known to some extent, recent studies have determined that the island houses approximately 600 species of marine mollusks, 300 species of fish and 32 species of coral, 9 of them belonging to the deep waters.

The large number of white tip sharks (Triaenodon obesus and Carcharinus albimarginatus), schools of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) during migration at the cleaning stations, tuna fish (Thunnus sp), parrot fish (Scaridae), mollusks, and other coral species, make this island one of the most marvelous places on earth to explore.

CENTRAL PACIFIC

Only a few hours away from San José, this is an ideal diving zone during the Summer, because of the great variety of fish, lobster, and white tip sharks (Triaenodon obesus) that can be spotted in the area.

Your senses will be overwhelmed when observing the impressive rock formations and the underwater cave of the Manuel Antonio National Park, where you may explore the waters at Cathedral Point, Puerto Escondido, and the Mogote and Olocuita Islands.

Access to the area can be by the road going to Orotina, trip lasting almost 90 minutes, from San José. You can also reach there with the local flights to runways located in Hermosa Beach, Garabito canton, and in Quepos, Aguirre canton. Access to Hermosa Beach by sea is possible thanks to a marina located in Herradura Beach, while the access to Quepos is through Puerto Quepos.

SOUTH PACIFIC REGION

Plunge into a whole submarine garden full of coral formations and an impressive colouring.

The best diving spot in this zone is found in the Caño's Island Biological Reserve, 45 minutes away from Drake Bay-Osa Peninsula, where you will find a marine ecosystem beyond compare. In this beautiful place, you may observe hammerheaded sharks (Sphyrna lewini) , white finned sharks (Triaenodon obesus), whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), and ray fish. Your trip will be done in the pleasant company of dolphins and the migration of the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) or finback whales, as they are also known. These may be seen almost any month of the year, but their best season is when it is Winter on the Northern Hemisphere of the American Continent. A special attraction is that this area is the only place in the world where these whales come to, both from the North and the South, at different times of the year.

You will be able to explore the Tres Hermanas small Islands and the protected marine area of the Ballena Marine National Park, which possesses a huge number of coral species. This park is complemented with the abundance of existing marine life, among which we may mention the humpback whales’ (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrations.

SOUTH CARIBBEAN REGION

In the company of an exuberant vegetation and the exotic Caribbean culture, these fantastic and mystical waters that just a few have explored, are characterized by a coral reef ecosystem protected by the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, and the Cahuita National Park.

Approximately 4 hours from San Jose, the beautiful marine landscapes will attract visitors to Cahuita.

The depth of coral formations varies from very few meters to those up to 11 vertical meters high. These coral formations have a biodiversity composed of over 123 species of multicolored fish, like angelfish, queen angelfish (Holacanthus sp.), parrot fish (Scaridae), three-spined stickleback fish (Diodontidae), among many others. There are also over 35 coral species, which include Moose Horn (Acropora palmata) and Brain corals (Diploria sp.).

MORE THAN JUST CRYSTAL BLUE WATERS

Costa Rica offers several conditions that will facilitate your diving experience:

• Professional companies with the diving tour services, equipment and complete line of accessories, special boat equipped for diving and repair of equipment. All of it gives you the possibility of bringing your own gear, or renting it, without undermining the degree of security or professionalism.
• Open water diving courses, advanced in all its specialties, rescue and salvage, first aids, oxygen therapy, cardiovascular reanimations, courses up to the instructor level and other diving specialties for physically disabled persons, all acknowledged by the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors, located in California, the United States), NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) and SSI (Scuba Schools International) among others.
• Comfortable, good-quality accommodations in diverse hotels to suit every budget.
• Access to other adventures like: Sport fishing, white water rafting, canopy tours, National Parks tours, bird watching, kayaking, hiking, and many other attractions.

In Costa Rica it’s important to follow some precautions to make your diving experience safer and pleasanter:

• Look for recognized companies that represent well-established associations and search for operators with valid permits.
• Verify that the ships count with the emergency equipment exacted by the law.

In Costa Rica, this activity is regulated by the Adventure Tourism Regulation, which may be consulted at Regulation for Adventure Tourism companies. This same site may be visited when searching for the available diving tours in Costa Rica.

Main places for diving in Costa Rica