Dive Sites in Costa Rica (Central America)

Costa Rica's rich Pacific and Caribbean coasts are thriving with marine life! One of the best places in the world to see sharks and large whales, mantas & dolphins.

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Dive Site Overview for Costa Rica

Costa Rica, the ‘Rich Coast’, certainly lives up to its name with its ideal weather and rich marine life on both the Pacific and Caribbean Coast.

The majority of diving activities are focused around the Pacific Coast where there are several Marine Parks and islands to explore. Playa Hermosa is a great place to see tropical fish, puffer fish, seahorses, reef sharks and nurse sharks, several different species of rays and even the occasional whale shark. Popular sites include Virador, Argentina Point and Los Meros to name just a few, expect to see turtles, pilot whales, humpbacks and dolphins and that’s just on the boat ride out! For huge schools of eagle rays head to El Ocotal where you can also find marlins and even whale sharks.

The famous Cocos Marine Park, a World Heritage Site, is the best place to see sharks in Costa Rica. The thriving marine life here includes many different sharks, mantas and rays, tropical fish, huge tuna and turtles. Isla del Caño is considered one of the best areas for diving in Costa Rica with over 18 coral species, several dolphin species and almost 60 different crustations –don’t forget your camera!

Catalina Island and Bat Island (Isla Murcielagos) are great dive sites known for their huge manta rays (December – April), reef sharks, barracuda, jacks and other ray species. The Big Scare at Bat Island is the best place to see bull sharks and other large pelagics including mantas and zebra eels.

Diving facilities on the Caribbean Coast are less developed than the Pacific coast however the diving is spectacular, especially around Cahuita National Park, which hosts Coast Rica’s only coral reef, and Isla Uvita. There are several shallow wrecks including the Fenix cargo ship and even an old wreck complete with cannons that you can explore.

Diving is possible all year round, visibility averages 15-20m however rainy season (May to November) causes water run off that can reduce visibility. Sea conditions are usually calm and water temperature ranges from 25°C (March – December) to 28°C (April to November). Catalina and Bat Island experience surge, currents and rougher surface conditions recommended for experienced divers, the best time to dive here is during rainy season (April – November). Air and Nitrox are common, some centres cater for technical diving.