Diving Costa Rica

21 November 2022
Costa Rica sits between the Pacific and the Caribbean. The better scuba diving is on the Pacific coast, particularly in the Northwest: Catalina Islands, Bat Islands and the Gulf of Papagayo. In the Southwest check out Cano Island.

The best diving in Costa Rica, though, is at the Cocos Islands, 300 miles off the mainland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This world class diving destination is a great place to see pelagic species like marlin, sailfish and sharks when they visit the islands to feed and mate.

Compare prices of liveaboards to the Cocos Islands

When to dive in Costa Rica?

Costa Rican sea temperature ranges from 21 to 29 oC (70 to 85 oF): a 2-3 mm (1/8") wetsuit is may be sufficient for the hardy but at least a 5 mm is needed in the cooler temperatures for thinner divers. The dry season runs from November to May but can be very windy. From June to November is the rainy season when hammerhead sharks are more frequent. May is a good time to go as it shouldn't be too windy or wet.

Hammerhead shark
Hammerhead shark. Photo: DepositPhotos

What you need to know

Take special care when swimming from all beaches in Costa Rica. Rip tides are very common. Avoid using unofficial taxis - "taxi piratas". Violent incidents involving tourists have been reported. Official taxis are red with a triangular sticker and plastic box on the roof with the name and number of the taxi company. Medical care in Costa Rica is of a high standard, but only emergency medical treatment is available free for visitors. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad.

Costa Rica has a very high biodiversity, on land as well as underwater. The country is very proactive in protecting its wildlife.

Toucam in Costa Rica
Toucan. Photo credit: Fintan O'Brian/Pixabay

Dive Sites Diving Operators and Liveaboards Accommodation Further Reading Your Comments


The Diving around Costa Rica

Cocos Islands Dive Sites Catalina Islands Dive Sites Bat Island Dive Sites Gulf of Papagayo Dive Sites Santa Elena Peninsula Dive Sites Cano Island Dive Sites

Costa Rica
Cocos Islands

The Cocos Islands are reached by a 10 day liveaboard trip. All of the islands have large schools of fish, rays and sharks. You can dive the Cocos Islands year round, but perhaps the best time is August.

Cocos Island
Manuelita Coral Night Dive (or the Dinner Bell)

"Hundreds and hundreds of white tip sharks swarming in crystal clear ebony coloured water weaving gracefully through the nooks and crannies of the coral below searching for a meal. Little fish hiding behind rocks and even divers, hoping not to be spied. Then - CRACK!!!! - a shark finds a morsel and send the hundreds of other shark into a frenzy of movement. Thirty seconds later, the slow graceful ballet of movement resumes as if nothing had happened. What a rush!!
Rebecca Ramaley, 2011.

Rate this dive...

Cocos Islands
Dirty Rock

Reviews: 5 Star Rating: Recommended (4)

"Massive wall of hammerheads every time. Marble and eagle rays. Friendly whale sharks who enjoy the diver's bubbles for extended periods."
Mauri Sanderford, Norway, 2014.

"Dirty Rock is unbelieveable - we dove it 5 times on our liveaboard trip, and not once did it disappoint - schooling hammerheads, silkies, eagle rays, swarming white tips, and even a friendly dolphin. Definitely a top 20 dive"
Rebecca Ramaley, 2011.

"Huge schools of jacks, schooling hammerheads (up to 100 per school). Galapagos Sharks, turtles..... WOW"
Sacha Webber-Cross, UK

"Great pelagic dive site. Biggest school of rays i have ever seen....Hundreds."
Adrian Trent

Rate this dive...

Cocos Islands
Alcyone

"Jacque Cousteau's favorite dive site with even more hammerheads, cleaning stations, ++"
Mauri Sanderford, Norway, 2014.

Rate this dive...

Cocos Islands
Dos Amigos Pequeña (Small Dos Amigos)

A remote island in the south of the Cocos Islands. Diving is by liveaboard between December and April. (In the rainy season from May to November the conditions can get very rough.) Great place to see hammerhead sharks, eagle rays and dolphins.

Hammerhead shark
Hammerhead sharks. Photo: baechi/Pixabay

Reviews: 5 Star Rating: Recommended (2)

"Sloping reef with hammerhead feeding stations. Aside from hammerheads, Galapagos and silky sharks and a resident population of very friends dolphins. Not to mention the passing whale shark"
Richard, 2022

"Hammerheads, lots of them and very close up."
Sacha Webber-Cross, UK

Guanacaste

Guanacaste is in the North West of Costa Rica. The area includes Bat Island, the Catalina islands and the Gulf of Papagayo. The rainy season is May to November - there are less tourists there then and bull sharks visit Bat Island. The visibility improves and weather is calmer during the dry season - especially March to May.

Bull Shark
Photo credit: Albert Kok

Santa Elena Penisula. Depth: 9-28 m
Bat Island

Located in Santa Elena Peninsula, two and a half hours from Tamarindo. Offers a large variety of species: a major attraction are the Bull Sharks. The depth fluctuates between 9 and 28 m with beautiful rock formations. The islands also offer a refuge of parks where you may camp overnight.

Rate this dive...

Reviews: 3 Star Rating (1)

"First dive on Bat Island, 70 mins from Coco, I saw the elusive Bull Shark and a Manta Ray within 30 mins. Second dive there we saw enormous schools of fish and a modest collection of the smaller stuff. These islands it seems are better for pelagic and large schools and not so great for macro or coral lovers. Certainly a unique dive."
Dean, Canada, 2016
North Pacific Coast
Gulf of Papagayo

There are over 40 dive sites in the Gulf Of Papagayo. Some of the more popular ones are Aqarium, Surprise, Virador, Monkey Head, Punta Gorda, Baja Tiburones for normal diving and Los Meros and Escorpiones for shallow dives. All are volcanic rock formations with lots of marine life such as spotted eagle rays, whitetip sharks, schooling fish, mobule and cow nosed rays, frog fish and sea horses.

Rate this dive...

Reviews: 3 Star Rating (1)

"Closer to shore in Coco you do get some more macro but the nudis are hard to locate but expect octopus, morays, sting rays and eagle rays in large numbers and the occasional whitetip shark and the customary huge schools of fish. Pretty good!"
Dean, Canada, 2016
Northwest Costa Rica
Catalina Islands

The Catalina Islands are often visited because they are only 19 nautical mile/ 25 minutes from Tamarindo. It is very common to see white tip sharks, giant mantas, manta rays, fish such as buffoon, giant grouper, morays, and a great variety of many other species of different sizes and colours. It is best to descend to a depth of 18 m to encounter more species. At this depth the visibility is also better (horizontal visibility is approximately between 5 and 35 m). There are 6 dive sites regularly dived here.

Manta ray
Photo credit: Kevin Mc Loughlin/Pixabay

Reviews: 4 Star Rating: Recommended (1)

"The Main island after 2 separate dives delivered abundant white tip sharks, eagle rays and huge shoals of fish and some of the usual assortment of morays and octopus. On the second dive there was treated to the magic of schooling eagle rays that swooped by in formation in numbers upto 20 strong. Not good for macro or coral and the Mantas are mostly gone by May but one straggler was spotted in the blue. Memorable diving."
Dean, Canada, 2016
Catalina
Los Sombreros
"Lots of fish, not too deep, current was moderate, visibility fairly good, about 20-30 ft. Awesome for beginners but experienced divers will enjoy the multitude of sea life."
Angela, USA

Rate this dive...

Catalina
Elephant Rock
"More dramatic, with a drop straight dow 60 ft alongside a huge rock. Giant reefs and loads of fish. Good visibility."
Angela, USA

Rate this dive...

Catalina. Depth: 12-18 m
Cabo Velas (Secret Point)

Recommended by the locals. You may observe fish typical to the North Pacific and the most special part of Cabo Velas is the reef that looks like a garden under the water.

Rate this dive...

South Pacific Coast
Cano Island (Isla de Cano)

Reviews: 4 Star Rating (3)

" I just love Caño Island. I had the opportunity to dive there 3 times (6 immersions) and yes, I think is like a mini Coco Island. During the dive is quite normal to see small/medium sharks "parked" in the bottom, turtles, eels and mantarayas. "
Rodrigo V, 2018, dived with Costa Rica Dive and Surf

"Great dive saw a whale shark!!! And like 3 mantas, good visibility. I've been to Drake Bay (which is near Cano Island) 3 years and plan on going these year again, awesome dive sites. Go there!"
Jose Andres Fumero, 2016, dived with Cano Divers

"Saw White tip shark, turtle, Many Jacks, and an eel. Visability was 30 feet. Photography was limited. Snorkeling was part of tour which was actually a little better than the dives. "
Christian Andersen, 2013

"I dove Cano Island and it was AMAZING!!! I also dove in the Northern Pacific near Tamrindo and it was pretty good."
Brian Bohne, 1 May 2013

"I just came back from Costa Rica and dived in the Cano Island near Drake bay, on the South Pacific coast. It was very interesting, lots of Sting-ray, white-tip-reef shark, etc. "
Victor Cartin, 2011, dived with Costa Rica Adventure Divers

Rate this dive...

Cano Island
Shark Cave

Reviews: 5 Star Rating (1)

"Small cave with sharks and eels. We didn't go inside, just dive in the front. But it's possible to see the sharks inside and other creatures. Clean water good visibility."
Rodrigo V, 2018, dived with Costa Rica Dive and Surf

Rate this dive...


Dive Operators and Liveaboards in Costa Rica

Book liveaboard in Costa Rica

For trips to the world class Cocos islands dive sites you will need to take a liveaboard. Liveaboard trips here may last 10 days or more. As well as the Cocos Islands the liveaboard often takes in Cano Island, Guanacaste and Bat Island.

Recommend a dive operator or list your diving company on this page.

Cocos Islands Guanacaste Mid-Pacific Coast South Pacific Coast Caribbean

Cocos Islands
Argo

The luxurious steel-hulled argo liveaboard, accompanied by the 'deepsee' submersible, cruises to remote Cocos Island dive sites filled with large, schooling pelagics. Four passengers a day will have the opportunity to descend in the submersible.

Argo liveaboard

Read more about the Argo…

Rate this liveaboard...

Compare prices of liveaboards to the Cocos Islands

Cocos Islands
Okeanos Aggressor II (Wind Dancer)

Liveaboard diving to Cocos Islands.

Okeanos Aggressor II
Aggressor Fleet
209 Hudson Trace
Augusta, GA
30907
USA Tel: +1 706-993-2531
Email: info@aggressor.com
See Okeanos Aggressor II special offers

Rate this liveaboard...

Caribbean Coast
Reef Runner Divers
Reef Runner Divers, Costa Rica
North Pacific Coast » Guanacaste
Rocket Frog Divers
Rocket Frog Divers, Costa Rica

Hotel Los Almendros de Ocotal
Guanacaste
Costa Rica
Tel: +506-8834-6646
rocketfrogdivers@gmail.com

Rate this diving operator...

Bill Beard's Adventure Travel and Diving Safaris
Bill Beard's Costa Rica

Located on the Pacific Ocean at Playa Hermosa, a large beach on a paved road with trams to take you around the hotel, resort and villas. Offer packages for individuals, families and groups with special programs for children, mature travellers, honeymoon couples and non-divers. Privately escorted tours to volcanoes, hot springs, river rafting, tree top canopy, jungles, rain forests, horseback riding, wildlife refuges and national parks. Any of their scuba diving packages and land tours may be combined. Organise accommodation as well as diving.

Playa Hermosa
Guanacaste
Tel: +506 954 453-5044
Fax: +1 954 351-9740
agent@billbeardcostarica.com

Rate this diving operator...

North Pacific Coast » Guanacaste
Deep Blue Diving Adventures

Deep Blue Diving Adventures
Padi Gold Palm Resort
Playas del Coco
Costa Rica
+001 (506) 670 1004
dive@deepblue-diving.com

Reviews: 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

"All round pretty good."
Dean, Canada, 2016

"Deep Blue Diving Adventures are a Padi Gold Palm Resort. We’ll be happy to dive with you and to make all arrangements for you.
Our every day "2 Tank Morning dive" is $79, a 3 tank dive is $105. If you need equipment, full gear rental is $20 per day. The Catalina 2 tank dive trip is $110 and requires at least two divers. The trip to Islas Murciélagos (Bat Islands) is 1 hour only and cost $ 150 per person for 2 dives with a minimum of 3 divers. Our prices include boat, captain, guide, tanks, weight, drinks, snacks and fun!
May we help you with the accommodation? We offer the Hotel Puerta del Sol. A lovely Mediterranean style place, each room is equipped with ac, fan, coffee maker, fridge, bathroom with hot water, wireless internet and safe."

Oliver Bloemeke, IDC Staff Instructor, Deep Blue Diving Adventures, 2013

North Pacific Coast » Guanacaste
Rich Coast Diving

Rich Coast Diving
PADI 5* IDC and CDC Centre
Playas del Coco
Guanacaste 5019
Costa Rica
Tel: (506) 2670 0176
Tel: (506) 8702 4574
E-mail: richcoastdiving@windowslive.com
E-mail: dive@richcoastdiving.com

" We are a PADI 5* IDC Centre and the only CDC facility in Costa Rica. We have a staff of 12 divers and several boats including a specially outfitted trimaran.
We offer a great range of dive packages and can recommend good accommodation for every budget.
"
Martin and Brenda van Gestel

Rate this diving operator...

North Pacific Coast » Guanacaste
Manuel Antonio Divers

Complete dive center, including a dive shop and offer all PADI Certificates. Located in the province of Puntarenas, Central Pacific.

PO Box 242-6350
Quepos
Puntarenas Playas del Coco
Guanacaste
Costa Rica 5019
Tel: +001 (506) 777-3483
Fax: +001 (506) 777-4200

Rate this diving operator...

North Pacific Coast » Guanacaste
Aqua Center

Reviews: 3 stars

Play Flamingo
Guanacaste
Costa Rica

"Andrea was our dive master from the Aqua Center at the Playa Flamingo Resort. He was very nice and professional. I felt very comfortable during our 2-tank dive. We have gone with them for two years now. They also offer refresher courses and snorkelling trips, and offer dive sites for all levels of experience. Highly recommended.
You can easily stay at Playa Flamingo resort or try to reserve a private house on the beach. We stayed at Casa Piedras which is right on the beach. The dive was $95 including equipment for a 2 tank dive trip. We went twice, to four different sites - there are many sites here. I thought it was fantastic! Amazing sunsets!
"
Angela, USA
"Beware the boat staff! I had about 40,000 colones taken from my wallet while diving. I was daft for taking all my cash, but I had just been to the bank, and you expect to not get robbed on a dive boat.
I give them
"
R Ditloff

Rate this diving operator...

North Pacific Coast » Guanacaste
Dagua Rica Diving Center

Centro Comercial Diria
Tamarindo
Guanacaste
Costa Rica
Tel/Fax: (506) 653-0094
Mail-box N 25
agricadv@racsa.co.cr

"Not certified? No problem, our staff of Padi and SSI dive professionals are committed to quality dive instruction & services. If you do not want to take the full certification we will train you the day before the scuba tour; you will watch some videos and practice in the pool with an Instructor."

Rate this diving operator...

North Pacific Coast » Guanacaste
Buceo Gavilana

200 m north from hotel Helios
Las Delicias
GARZA (Provincia de Nicoya)
Guanacaste
Costa Rica
Tel: +506 26568051
Mobile: +506 89760599
Ditch@buceogavilana.com

Rate this diving operator...

North Pacific Coast » Puntarenas
Anamaya

Scuba certification and yoga retreat - a week long yoga retreat where guests also get a CMAS 1 star scuba certification.

Anamaya Resort
Montezuma
Puntarenas
Tel: (+506) 2642-1289
EnjoyLife@AnamayaResort.com

Rate this diving operator...

Mid Pacific Coast » Costanera Sur
Costa Rica

Frente de la entrada a la playa de Chaman
Costanera Sur
Puntarenas Province
Uvita
60504
Costa Rica
WhatsApp: +506 6438 1691
office@costaricadivers.com

"Scuba diving is a great recreation for all ages. We invite you to take advantage of our services and hop on our boat. You can go to the wonderful Isla del Caño or to the beautiful areas of Marino Ballena National Park. We also have a dive store where you can buy on site or order any diving equipment."
Pedro, Costa Rica Divers

Rate this diving operator...

Mid Pacific Coast » Jaco
Herradura Divers

700 metros del cruce al Oueste
Playa Herradura
Puntarena
Costa Rica
Tel: +001 (506) 2637-7123
info@herraduradivers.com

Rate this diving operator...

Mid Pacific Coast » Quepos
Oceans Unlimited

Quepos
Costa Rica
Tel: (+506) 777-3171
info@oceansunlimitedcr.com

"We are PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Resort offering a wide range of courses and a wide range of dives local to Quepos, offshore trips and to nearby Cano Island."

Rate this diving operator...

Mid Pacific Coast
Costa Rica Dive and Surf

Dominical Office
Dominical 60504
Costa Rica
Tel: (506) 2787 0362

Uvita Office
Uvita
Bahia Ballena 200 metros Norte de la entrada del Parque Nacional Marino Ballena
Sector Bahia Ballena
Tel: (506) 2743 8679

USA Office
Tel: (415) 234 8377

Reviews: 5 Star Rating (1)

"I joined a tour to Caño Island offered by a local company. The name is Costa Rica Dive and Surf. Great experience! Great service! Very professional team!"
Rodrigo V, March 2018

South Pacific Coast
Costa Rica Adventure Divers
Costa Rica Adventure Divers

Daily diving trips to Caño Island.

Costa Rica Adventure Divers
Drake Bay
Osa Peninsula
Costa Rica
Tel: Costa Rica: Tel/fax: + 506 8612 6214 / + 34 639 208 432
info@costaricaadventuredivers.com

"The diver centre of Jinetes de Osa were very helpful. Cost $130 for 2 dives, Cano island-1 hour boat ride and good lunch. Very helpful staff, they get all your gear ready for you!!!! A treat!"
Victor Cartin, 2011

Rate this diving operator...

South Pacific Coast
Cano Divers

Located in Pirate Cove Hotel, Drake Bay. Dive Cano Island. Book in advance in high season

Cano Divers
Pirate Cove Hotel
Drake Bay
Osa Peninsula
Costa Rica
Tel: +(506) 2234-6154
info@canodiverscostarica.com

Reviews: 5 Star Rating (1)

"Big boat, comfy space for loads of people. Fair price. Great operator."
Jose Andres Fumero, 2016

South Pacific Coast
Mystic

Reviews: 4 Star Rating (1)

Mystic
Ojochal
Costa Rica

"Max 8 divers. Good food and snacks. "
Christian Andersen, 2013

Rate this diving operator...

Costa Rica
Costa Rica Outward Bound

Costa Rica Outward Bound do 10 trips a year that involve diving, all of which students aged 18-24 years get college credits back in the US and Canada.

CRROBS
SJO 829
POBOX 025216
MIAMI FL 33102-5216
Tel: 1-800-676-2018 or 011-506-278-6058
Fax: 1-800-676-0486 or 011-506-278-6059

Rate this diving operator...

Costa Rica
Summer-Salt Dive Center

PADI Dive Operator.

Tel: (+506) 670-0308
Fax: (+506) 670-1394
Cel: (+506) 357-5531 or 824-7258
patrick@summer-salt.com

Rate this diving operator...

Costa Rica
Buzo Aventura

Dive the Pacific, Catalinas, Bat Islaind, Caño Island.

Tel: (506) 8368-0659 E-mail: info@buzosdeaventura.com

Rate this diving operator...


Accommodation

For more hotels see the Agoda site...

Hotel & Villas Cala Luna

A luxury hotel in Guanacaste, located in waters renowned for diving. E-mail: reservations@calaluna.com

Bahia De los Delfines, Playa Tambor, Costa Rica

Resort that offers diving. E-mail: info@bahiadelfines.com


Further Reading

The Reef Set (3 Volumes Boxed - includes Reef Fish, Reef Creature and Reef Coral)
by Paul Humann, New World Publications, 2013
Invaluable for diving Florida, Caribbean or the Bahamas.

Your Comments

Please send us your comments on Costa Rica. Do you want to recommend a diving centre or dive site?

  
E-mail:
Dive Operator Comments:
...name, cost of diving, 
would you dive with them again, etc...

Dive Operator Rating:
12 3 4 5
(1 = poor, 5 = excellent) What connection do you have to the dive operator? (Customer, owner, employee, relative, friend, contractor, supplier...) Comments:

Compiled by Jill Studholme