Tours » The best diving in Costa Rica, though, is arguably at the Cocos Islands, 300 miles off the mainland and a UNESCO World … There are huge schools of various species of fish. Horse tours are also very popular and there is a canopy (zipline) for the more adventurous! There is also a different beach to visit every day. The indigo waters surrounding the Catalina Islands serve as a haven for a spectacular array of marine life. Tamarindo beach is set among 2 estuaries with mangrove forests that you can explore with a boat tour of the mangroves or renting a kayak and exploring them yourself. We are Scuba Dive Costa Rica (SDCR), a multilingual PADI 5 Star Center located at the heart of Costa Rica's diving region in Playa Potrero.With the closest launch point to Las Catalinas Islands at just 15 minutes, SDCR is the only beachfront Dive Center in Costa Rica featuring our very own onsite training pool, restaurant and full bar. Take the time to enjoy it and just allow yourself to soak in the beauty; don’t worry about anything. Diving Tour of Catalina Islands. Spot dolphins, puffer fish, large schools of … The diving trip for certified people (2 tank dives) costs 115 USD. There is a very convenient diving package of 10 dives (5 days) for 400 USD (days do not need to be consequent; you decide when you want to go diving). But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Costa Rica’s Catalina Islands. However, the diving here is always good with the exception of October due to the strong rains. Diving in Fuerteventura (Morro Jable) Canary Islands – Spain, Q&A with Marine Science Teacher – Anna Ortega. Photo Credit: tobze. The Discover Scuba Diving depth limits are 12 meters. There is enough for all pockets and tastes! He has worked in many other places an instructor, ROV pilot and more. You can also take additional certifications and courses while diving in Costa Rica. Costa Rica offers travelers a magnificent rainforest, interesting volcanoes and gorgeous beaches. The dive trip lasts approx. The underwater world and marine life is also quite amazing. If people bring their own equipment, they can obtain a discount. Will you need a surfing or diving wetsuit when you get to Tamarindo? Weather and group size can limit the availability of these dives on any given day. Las Catalinas, Costa Rica Scuba Diving and Snorkeling. From San Jose to Tamarindo, it is a 4-5 hours drive depending on traffic. Costa Rica Experts © 2021. Costa Rica: Diving the Catalina Islands. Depending on their level, they will be followed by a divemaster or dive instructor. If you don't have your own transportation we will arrange the pick up at your place for free in Tamarindo, ... An early start reaped rewards diving off the Catalina islands. The bus trip lasts approx. Isla del Coco, or Cocos Island, although far away and only accessible with a multiday expedition is perhaps the most famous dive site. When conditions are not optimal, we might opt to go diving at Cabo Velas, a more sheltered area, closer to Tamarindo Beach. It provides a rich ecosystem, perfect for snorkeling and diving in Costa Rica. The best way is to fly into Liberia, the capital in the province of Guanacaste. The variety of life in this ocean is astounding and never boring as it changes so much during the year. They are perfect places for large schools of fish, rays, and other marine life to congregate. To start diving in Costa Rica, you should first get to Tamarindo. San Jose, Costa Rica 10104. You can scuba dive the Catalina Islands all year long, thanks to the tropical climate on land and the warm water temperatures throughout every season of the year. Please list any additional tours of interest or questions. 5 hours leaving in the mornings. A refresher course can be undertaken before the boat leaves for those who have not been diving in a long time or who do not have much experience. During February and March, strong winds may affect visibility (6 meters) and water temperature can be around 20°C. Local, Catalina's and Bat Island trips! All content on this website is copyright by Down to Scuba unless otherwise stated. Tortuga Island is located in the Gulf of Nicoya on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. The huge prize is to swim with the Pacific Giant Manta whose … The Catalina Islands are an archipelago of uninhabited islets which are found anywhere from 2-15 miles off the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica. We’ve already mentioned this a few times, but here’s our official declaration: Costa Rica’s Catalinas Islands are famous for their concentrated populations of massive manta rays – they can grow to almost 23 feet (7 meters) and weigh up to 3,000 pounds (1,400 kgs)! WHY ARE WE DIVING IN COSTA RICA AT THE CATALINAS? Divers take the plunge in hopes of sighting one of the many species of rays known to dwell in the islands' waters such as spotted eagle rays and devil manta rays. Join 10k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Let your stress and worries stay at home or on the boat and just relax and enjoy the amazing marine life. The depth of all sites varies from 12 to 30 meters. These dive sites are more advanced due to surge, stronger currents and rougher surface conditions. The Bat Islands which are found off the coast of Costa Rica are a beautiful and exotic place to experience the underwater world of Costa Rica . Just make sure you are always informed about the tides! The only thing you should bring, if you want to, is your diving computer, but it is not necessary as a professional divemaster with his own computer will always be with you. Bat Island – Also in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, Bat Island is a little more isolated about an hour boat ride from the dive shops nearby. The Bat Islands are choc-o-bloc with Costa Rica’s famed marine life. The maximum depth in this location is 18 meters. Whether it’s angel fish, octopus or eels you’re after, the spectacular array of marine life found living here is sure to catch your attention. Diving in Catalinas Islands, Costa Rica By Oksana & Max St John / Central America , Costa Rica / 15/12/2016 11/05/2020 *This post may contain affiliate links, as a result, we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) on any bookings/purchases you … 9 November 2020 Costa Rica sits between the Pacific and the Caribbean. They are considered one of the best dive sites in Costa Rica and can be found from 3 to 24 kilometers off the Nicoya peninsula.. Strong currents and a fantastic ecosystem make this site a favorite for large schools of fish and different species of … so, so rich! Last year in August, giant manta rays visited the archipelago almost daily but they are usually spotted from December to March. The best season for diving is from November until March if you are keen to spot some manta rays. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, In particular, it's known as the country's wreck diving capital. Costa Rica is well known for its diving sites. Please enter special requests here. For non-certified divers, we have two Discover Scuba Diving options: 1 day 159 USD and 2 days 169 USD. The Open Water Diver course will cost 549 USD. Tamarindo offers all kinds of accommodations. Dolphins, humpback whales, and orcas are seen very frequent during the Catalina Island trips. As far as nightlife, you do not have to worry. *Additional fees may apply for pickups outside of Tamarindo or Playa Conchal. They are all amazing and the region of Guanacaste is the least rainy of the Country so you can enjoy sunny days during almost all year round (except October). On the Pacific side, offshore islands defined by their underwater pinnacles offer enticing shark and manta ray encounters. The marine life here is just amazing…. We are a Scuba Diving … Isla Catalinas (Catalina Island) offers a great opportunity to swim with the Pacific giant mantas as well as huge schools of fish and sharks. While the Catalina Islands provides outstanding diving, the local diving along the coast is also note worthy. Costa Rica translates to “Rich Coast,” an apt name for a country surrounded by oceans. The location of the islands, paired with the currents, the shape and contours of the islets, as well as the depth, make these islands a fantastic spot for large amounts of marine life to gather, and well within our recreational diving limits. Conditions are mostly really good. 45 minutes of navigation you will reach the first dive site. The Catalinas is an archipelago of around 17 volcanic rock formations set 2-15 miles off the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste. A one-stop resource for scuba divers, snorkelers, and freedivers! Marine life is very similar in all these diving sites. Diving Costa Rica. The sea life was plentiful at the Catalina Islands. There are many restaurants, bars, etc… for all tastes, budgets, and for a good night out in Costa Rica! Ed #2798 Oficina #8 Use this wetsuit temperature guide to get you started. Las Catalinas Islands are home to some of the best coastal diving in Costa Rica with a fantastic variety of marine life. As mentioned before, it is easy to detect manta rays (December to March and in July, August), and all year round white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, Mobula rays, spotted eagle rays, moray eels, big schools of barracudas, grunts, colored tropical fish, etc…. From humpback whales to manta rays, this coast is suitable to all diving levels. PADI Dive Shop. Keep your eyes open for signs of dolphins, whales (in season), mating turtles (in season), and the amazing jumping rays. If you visit Costa Rica, then you need to experience the amazing underwater world of the Catalinas. Diving from Tamarindo will be via boat diving. The Catalina’s are not known for strong currents or drift diving. Our boat will take you there in less than an hour! He worked in Egypt (Red Sea – Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam), and had his own diving center in Otranto, Italy. With more than 12 great dive sites, if you are planning to dive during your visit to Costa Rica, Las Catalinas has to be on your list of places to dive. Other diving sites in the same archipelago are Roca Sucia, Cuatro Piedras, Sombrero, Roca Escondida, Elefante, and many more. If you plan on diving the Catalinas or Bat Islands during your trip, please indicate which day you would prefer to visit these. Start the boat ride with briefings from your guides regarding the boat and dive safety and procedures. Made up of 20 small islands, the Catalina archipelago is a scuba paradise. Heading to Catalina Islands, from the town of Tamarindo. Barrio La California, Divers of all levels can dive the Catalinas. Tamarindo town has got so much to offer. Costa Rica Experts is the leading authority on Costa Rica vacations. The Catalina Islands are a collection of 20 outcroppings and islands formed by volcanic activity. Whether you are a qualified diver, been out of the water for a while, or someone just looking to try scuba for the first time, One Love Ocean Divers will take care of you. Catalina Grande (the main islet) has 4 diving sites: Clasico, La Paila, Shallow, and Punta Norte. Then it is a 50-minute drive from Liberia to Tamarindo. Rockdivers Costa Rica is the #1 Dive Shop in Playas del Coco, TripAdvisor Rating. Meet at 7.30am at Tamadive Meeting Point, Costa Rica (appears exactly like this on google maps). The wind can sometimes affect the visibility and it can range from 6 meters to 20 meters. Home » When you talk about diving in Costa Rica, Catalina Island is a very good chance to dive with the Pacific Giant Mantas. The variety of life in this ocean is astounding and never boring as it changes so much during the year. Generally, they are all good depending on the needs of each person. Your guides will choose 2 dive sites, weather & daily conditions depending, to perform 60 ft max dives (40 ft if certification is restricted). The Catalina’s archipelago has many dive sites. We welcome all levels, from beginners to pros! Among the species, you can find sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, moray eels, octopuses, sea stars, sea urchins, colored tropical fish, big schools of fish of all kinds, mobula rays, eagle spotted rays, families of whales and when we are lucky, whale sharks. This is the main surf town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. As your Costa Rica Experts, we represent full service, PADI-certified dive shops to ensure a safe and amazing scuba diving and snorkeling experience. Most snorkeling tours combine sailing into the excursion experience with the option of booking in the morning or at sunset. The Catalina Islands are one of the best places to dive in Costa Rica with the possibility of seeing white tip reef sharks, Spotted eagle rays, Giant Manta Rays, and more. What are you waiting for? The Catalina Islands are one of the best places to dive in Costa Rica with the possibility of seeing white tip reef sharks, Spotted eagle rays, Giant Manta Rays, and more. You can also fly to San Jose which has more connections as it is the capital city of Costa Rica. We have 3mm shorty and long wetsuits. Learn How to Increase Your Breath-Hold with Freedive Coach Tom Peled, Q&A – Marine and Diving Coordinator in Film & TV, Q&A with the First Belgium Female Commercial Diver. Many other boat trips are available. Slipping into the Pacific waters off Costa Rica for a snorkel is a relaxing way to spend the day. This morning, I was thrilled to dive the Catalina Islands, an archipelago of volcanic and sedimentary islands just a few miles offshore from Flamingo. 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