🇨🇴Snorkeling, Freediving, and Scuba in Costa Rica

Caribbean Sea

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North Pacific Ocean

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Tropical East Pacific

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Tropical Northwestern Atlantic

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Chiapas-Nicaragua

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Cocos Islands

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Nicoya

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Southwestern Caribbean

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Alcyone, Cocos Island

Alcyone is an underwater mountain located off Cocos Island, characterized by strong to very strong currents. Divers will need to descend using a rope, reaching a maximum depth of 30 meters. This site is known for its frequent sightings of large schools of hammerhead sharks, typically numbering between 150 to 200 individuals. Additionally, dolphins and Galapagos sharks are commonly observed, along with the presence of large marble rays. Due to the challenging conditions, this dive site is recommended for experienced divers only.

5.5103, -87.0291

Arco Iris, Brumel Island

Arco Iris is situated 8 kilometers north of Playa Potrero, accessible via a shore entry. The dive site features a rock formation extending from the northwest side of Brumel Island in a northerly direction. Divers can expect to encounter white tip reef sharks, with depths ranging from 10 to 30 meters (33 to 100 feet). The area is also known for sightings of various ray species and large schools of fish, making it a notable location for marine life observation.

10.5129, -85.8249

Bajo Negro, Black Rock

Bajo Negro, also known as Black Rock, is situated within the National Park of Santa Rosa, specifically on Bat Island. This dive site is approximately 45 kilometers from Potrero. Divers may experience sudden encounters with marine life, such as sailfish and schools of barracuda, making it an unpredictable yet intriguing dive. The site can experience strong currents, which may require divers to have some experience. The entry to the site is from the shore.

10.8427, -85.9009

Bat Island: Big Scare, Gran Susto

Bat Islands, part of the Murcielago Archipelago within the Santa Rosa National Park, are recognized as a premier location for bull shark encounters, particularly from April to November. The site, known as 'Big Scare,' is characterized by its depth, making it suitable only for advanced certified divers. In addition to bull sharks, divers may also observe various species of rays, including oceanic mantas. The area is protected, contributing to its rich marine biodiversity.

10.8535, -85.9522

Brumel deep

Brumel Deep is accessible via a 20-minute boat ride from Marina Flamingo. This dive site is suitable for both novice and certified divers, particularly favored during periods of strong winds due to its sheltered location compared to the main Catalina Islands. Divers can choose to explore either the southern or northwestern sections of the site. Marine life includes a variety of tropical reef fish such as angelfish, barber fish, cornetfish, damselfish, and wrasses. Additionally, sightings of whitetip reef sharks, stingrays, and mobula rays are possible.

10.5045, -85.8215

Brumel shallow

Brumel Shallow is a dive site located at coordinates 10.507900, -85.822100, accessible via shore entry. This site is particularly suitable for beginner divers and is often chosen during periods of strong winds due to its sheltered environment compared to the main Catalina Islands. Divers typically head south from the entry point, with a maximum depth of approximately 14 meters. The marine life here includes various tropical reef fish such as angelfish, barber fish, cornetfish, damselfish, and wrasses. Larger species like sharks are infrequent due to the shallow nature of the site.

10.5079, -85.8221

Cadena

Cadena is a dive site characterized by a flat sandy bottom interspersed with rubble patches, providing two distinct habitats that support a variety of marine life. The site is sheltered from currents, making it accessible for divers of all experience levels. The maximum depth reaches 15 meters, allowing for a diverse underwater experience. Commonly observed species include reef stingrays, whitetip reef sharks, lobsters, octopuses, damselfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, grunts, and snappers.

9.6349, -85.2086

Catalinas Island, Clásico

Catalinas Island, Clásico is located 11 kilometers west of Potrero and Flamingo. This dive site is situated on the western side of the islands and offers a variety of diving options, accommodating different certification levels. Depths range from 10 meters to over 30 meters, featuring successive ripraps. Divers can encounter a diverse array of marine life, including white tip sharks, schools of various fish, moray eels, octopus, stingrays, eagle rays, mobula, manta rays, groupers, and turtles.

10.4799, -85.8714

Catalinas Island, North

Catalinas Island, North is situated 11 kilometers from Flamingo on the eastern side of the island. This dive site is characterized by its sheltered conditions, making it suitable for beginner divers. The dive extends from the center of the island to its northern tip. While the site is not particularly known for diverse marine life, divers can encounter a variety of reef fish. With some luck, sightings of rays and sharks may also occur.

10.4821, -85.8706

Chiliguaro

Chiliguaro is a small dive site located on the peninsula between Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa. The rocky formations provide excellent habitats for various macro marine life, including nudibranchs, seahorses, and other small creatures. Divers can also encounter octopuses, turtles, rays, and resting sharks, along with schools of fish. This site is particularly suitable for macro photography due to the diverse and vibrant marine life present.

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Coco Bay

Coco Bay features a sandy bottom that provides a calm environment ideal for training activities. Divers can practice essential skills such as rescue techniques and navigation in these tranquil conditions. The sandy substrate supports a surprising variety of marine life, including occasional sightings of seahorses, nudibranchs, snake eels, and pufferfish. Each small rock in this area serves as a habitat for various organisms, contributing to the biodiversity of the site.

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Corridas

Corridas is located at the corner of Coco Bay and features two closely situated rocks or low pinnacles surrounded by sandy areas. Divers can explore both formations within a single dive. The site is particularly known for its diverse ray population, where sightings of multiple ray species, including eagle rays, longtail stingrays, butterfly rays, bullseye electric rays, and devil rays, are common.

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Cuatro piedras, Catalina Islands

Cuatro Piedras, located at the Catalina Islands, features a dive site that is well-suited for novice divers due to the presence of a shallow sandy area nestled between rocks. However, divers should be aware that currents can occasionally make it challenging to remain in this sandy patch. The dive site includes various channels, particularly towards the southern end, which may complicate navigation. Depths range from 7 to 28 meters. Marine life commonly observed here includes tropical reef species such as angelfish, barber fish, cornetfish, damselfish, and wrasses. Additionally, sightings of whitetip reef sharks and mobula rays are possible.

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Devil Pinnacle

Devil's Pinnacle rises from a depth of 40 meters (130 feet) to just 4 meters (12 feet) below the surface. You will encounter various marine life including jacks, barracudas, snappers, moray eels, and both bull and whitetip reef sharks. The site features black corals, gorgonians, and fan corals.

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Dirty Rock

Dirty Rock, located off Costa Rica's Cocos Island, is an advanced dive site with depths ranging from 10 to 35 meters and visibility exceeding 30 meters. Divers can encounter schools of hammerhead sharks, horse-eyed jacks, turtles, eagle rays, and reef sharks. Due to strong currents, this site is recommended for experienced divers only.

5.5512, -87.0812

El Secreto

El Secreto is located a short 20-minute ride from La Pescadería de Malpaís, situated just beyond the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve. This dive site offers a variety of conditions depending on the current; divers may experience strong currents that allow for a dynamic exploration of the area or calmer waters that facilitate a more leisurely dive. The site is accessible from the shore, making it convenient for divers looking to explore the underwater environment.

9.5585, -85.0891

El Secreto 2

El Secreto 2 is a dive site with a maximum depth of approximately 18 meters. The relatively flat bottom creates an ideal habitat for smaller fish species. Its proximity to the open ocean attracts larger pelagic species, including sharks, which can often be seen following the currents. Marine life at this site includes humpback whales, false killer whales, whitetip reef sharks, hawksbill sea turtles, octopuses, lobsters, and various reef fish.

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Escorpiones

Escorpiones is situated on a shallow ledge with depths ranging from 10 meters (30 feet) to 20 meters (70 feet). The rocky formations provide shelter for various small marine creatures, while the adjacent sandy areas are frequented by larger species. Divers can often observe white tip reef sharks and eagle rays in the sandy regions near the rocks. The rocky structures themselves are inhabited by a variety of marine life, including octopus, nudibranchs, moray eels, and scorpionfish.

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Estudiantes

Estudiantes is a shallow dive site characterized by a sandy bottom and calm waters, making it suitable for beginner divers and students. The site is also appealing to experienced divers due to the rich marine life present. Notably, divers can observe large schools of balloon fish, often numbering in the hundreds. Additionally, the area is home to various macro critters, moray eels, octopuses, and a variety of schooling fish, enhancing the overall diving experience.

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Guacamaya Island

Guacamaya Island is located north of Flamingo and Potrero along the coast, accessible via a shore entry. The site features varying depths, with the eastern side reaching around 5 meters and the western side dropping to nearly 30 meters. Divers can expect to encounter a diverse array of marine life, including numerous fish species, rays, sharks, and turtles. The area is also suitable for snorkeling when conditions permit.

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Herradura

Herradura is located near Jaco, Costa Rica, adjacent to Los Suenos Marina. This dive site offers the opportunity to encounter various shark species. The second dive site is also in proximity to the marina and involves a descent to the island known for its snake population. The entry to the dive is from the shore.

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La Pared

La Pared is characterized by a prominent rock wall that offers a vertical dive experience. The site reaches a maximum depth of 18 meters, making it accessible for divers of varying skill levels. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including reef fish, eels, small invertebrates, as well as sharks and rays. The entry to the site is from the shore.

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La Pared pinaculo

La Pared Pinaculo features a prominent rock wall that descends to a maximum depth of 18 meters, making it accessible for divers of varying experience levels. The vertical structure attracts a diverse range of marine life, including whitetip reef sharks, reef stingrays, lobsters, octopuses, and various reef fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and surgeonfish. Divers should be prepared for frequent currents at this site, which adds to the overall diving experience.

9.5544, -85.0942

La Tortuga

La Tortuga is situated northwest of Playa Coco and derives its name from the turtle-shaped island above and a turtle-shaped cement block near the mooring line. This dive site features multiple routes and includes a small wreck. Divers can expect to see white tip sharks, particularly in cooler water, as well as numerous stingrays. Additionally, boxfish and crocodile fish are commonly observed near the moorings.

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Las tetas

Las Tetas is located approximately 2 kilometers southeast of the Catalina Islands and consists of a larger rock and a smaller rock that together form a pinnacle. The northern rock descends underwater to a depth of around 10 meters, creating a wall diving experience along the rocks. The maximum depth at this site reaches approximately 35 meters. Divers can expect to see a variety of marine life, including whitetip reef sharks, schools of grunts, butterfly fish, puffer fish, and moray eels. Manta rays may also be encountered in the area.

10.4438, -85.8511

Los Sombréros

Los Sombréros is situated approximately 9.5 kilometers from Playa Potrero, characterized by its distinctive shape reminiscent of Mexican hats. The site features a volcanic island with varying depths, particularly on the northern side where the drop-off occurs rapidly. Divers can find suitable depths that accommodate different experience levels around the island. Marine life includes white tip sharks, schools of fish, and during certain seasons, an abundance of devil rays. Hawksbill turtles are also known to frequent this area, and divers can explore several canyons along the site.

10.4643, -85.8578

Manuelita Coral Garden

Manuelita Coral Garden is a hard coral reef system located off Chatham Bay, with a maximum depth of 21 meters (70 feet). The area hosts a variety of marine life, including eels, lobsters, marbled rays, blacktip sharks, whitetip sharks, and hammerheads. The site is protected from strong currents, making it accessible for divers of all levels, especially during the high season from December to April.

5.5607, -87.0447

Memories wreck

The Memories wreck is a fishing vessel that sank in Coco Bay. Measuring approximately 25 meters in length, it is not suitable for penetration but provides an opportunity to observe a variety of juvenile fish that take refuge within the structure. Divers can look into the cabin to see features such as the captain's chair and may encounter marine life including nudibranchs, scorpionfish, and schools of juvenile grunts, such as spot tail, Latin, and Cortez. The site offers a unique view of the underwater ecosystem surrounding the wreck.

10.5642, -85.6958

Meros

Meros is a shallow dive site with a maximum depth of 12 meters (40 feet), making it suitable for photography and relaxed diving experiences. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including octopus, nudibranchs, and the occasional frogfish. Moray eels are also present, along with sightings of eagle rays and numerous pufferfish. This site is ideal for a second dive of the day due to its calm conditions and diverse aquatic life.

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Monkey Head

Monkey Head is located approximately 15 minutes by boat from Playas del Coco. The site is characterized by a prominent underwater pinnacle that resembles a monkey's head above the surface. Divers can expect to see reef sharks and rays resting on the sandy bottom. In the shallower areas, large schools of reef fish are common, along with sightings of eagle rays and devil rays.

10.6087, -85.7032

Pailas

Pailas is situated approximately 20 minutes from Potrero Beach. The dive begins on the western side of the island, progressing southward along the rock formations. The typical depth is around 14 meters, but it can reach depths exceeding 30 meters with slight deviations from the main path. A notable feature of this site is a cleaning station where mantas may be observed during the appropriate season. Divers can expect to see various species of schooling fish, and during cooler water conditions, numerous stingrays are often present.

10.4771, -85.8710

Pelicanos/Elephant rock

Pelicanos, also known as Elephant Rock, is located approximately three-quarters of the way from Potrero to the Catalinas. This dive site is accessible from the shore and offers depths suitable for divers of all levels, ranging up to around 25 meters. The underwater environment is typically bustling with marine life, including large schools of grunts, jacks, and butterfly fish that often accompany divers. Additionally, reef sharks are frequently observed in the area, enhancing the diving experience.

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Playpen

Playpen is a shore entry dive site characterized by diverse rock formations and a rich array of marine life. In the shallower regions, divers can observe various schools of tropical fish alongside numerous invertebrates, including octopus, arrow crabs, harlequin shrimp, and seahorses. As divers venture deeper, they may encounter white tip reef sharks and different species of rays. The site also offers an excellent area for shallow training, making it suitable for divers of varying experience levels.

10.5805, -85.7091

Punta Argentina

Punta Argentina is a dive site suitable for all divers, with an average depth of 10 meters (32 feet). You can find macro marine life such as harlequin shrimp and frogfish, along with larger species like stingrays. The site is accessed by boat from Playa del Coco, Guanacaste, and may have strong currents.

10.5782, -85.7143

Punta Ballena

Punta Ballena, also known as Whale Point, is situated between Playa Hermosa and Playa Panama. This dive site represents the underwater extension of the peninsula that divides the two beaches. It is recognized for its diverse marine life, including frequent sightings of eagle rays, stingrays, and schools of various fish. On clear days, visibility is optimal, making it one of the preferred dive locations in the region. Divers may also encounter the occasional white tip reef shark. The site offers opportunities for macro photography as well.

10.5927, -85.6834

Punta Catalina

Punta Catalina is situated at the southern tip of the Catalinas Islands. This dive site is notable for the presence of Oceanic Manta Rays, particularly during the winter months. The underwater topography descends to approximately 30 meters (100 feet) if divers venture out a bit from the shore. In addition to Manta Rays, divers may encounter various species such as Devil Rays, Eagle Rays, White Tip Reef Sharks, and Moray Eels. The site is favored for its diverse marine life, especially when conditions are optimal.

10.4765, -85.8702

Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda is a local dive site characterized by a prominent rocky outcrop nearby. The site offers a diverse marine environment, showcasing both larger fish species and smaller critters. Notable marine life includes harlequin shrimps, seahorses, moray eels, and eagle rays, which can all be observed during a single dive. The entry to the site is from the shore.

10.5432, -85.7754

Rio Lajas

Rio Lajas is located at the mouth of the river, approximately a 30-minute ride from La Pescadería in Malpaís. This dive site features a sandy bottom, making buoyancy control essential for divers. It is an ideal location for practicing buoyancy skills while observing a variety of fish species. Divers should stay close to their guide to avoid descending to the sandy areas.

9.6090, -85.0655

Roca Peligrosa, Danger Rock

Roca Peligrosa, also known as Danger Rock, is located approximately 3 kilometers south of the Catalina Islands. This dive site features a pinnacle with both shallow and deeper areas, making it unsuitable for novice divers but accessible for those with more experience. The typical dive route involves circling the rock that is visible above the water's surface. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of common reef fish, and with some luck, they may also see large schools of mobula rays and possibly sharks in the area.

10.4389, -85.8548

Roca Sucia, Dirty Rock

Roca Sucia, also known as Dirty Rock, is situated approximately 8 kilometers from the coast, between Potrero Flamingo and the Catalinas. The dive site features a shallow area ranging from 8 to 13 meters near the eastern pinnacle, while depths of 35 meters can be found to the north and 27 meters to the south. This site is accessible for diving year-round, although divers should be aware that strong currents can occur. Marine life is abundant, with notable sightings including barber fish, king angelfish, and chancho surgeonfish, as well as sharks, rays, and turtles.

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Ship wreck

The Ship Wreck is a shrimp fishing vessel that succumbed to a storm and now rests at a depth of approximately 30 meters on a sandy bottom. The wreck's structure remains largely intact, providing a habitat for various marine life. Divers can expect to see small invertebrates, octopuses, reef fish, whitetip reef sharks, and goliath groupers in the area. This dive site is designated for advanced divers due to the depth and potential conditions.

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Sorpresa

Sorpresa is a pinnacle dive site that begins at a depth of approximately 16 meters and descends to 30 meters. This site is designated for advanced divers due to the absence of shallow areas. The name 'Sorpresa' translates to 'surprise,' reflecting the varying conditions divers may encounter, including unexpected temperature changes and visibility. A notable feature of this site is the large school of Bigeye Jacks that can surround divers, creating a dynamic underwater experience. Additionally, divers can expect to see various marine life, including stingrays, eagle rays, moray eels, and octopuses, along with smaller critters.

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South Point shallow

South Point Shallow is located on the southeast side of the Catalina Islands. This site primarily offers shallow diving opportunities, with depths generally remaining less than 25 meters. Divers may encounter a variety of reef fish, including butterfly fish and angelfish. Additionally, spotted eagle rays and sharks can be observed, particularly towards the deeper end of the dive site. The entry to the site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers looking to explore the underwater ecosystem.

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Tiburon

Tiburon features substantial rock formations that provide habitats for white-tipped reef sharks, which utilize the area for both resting and hunting. Divers can also observe large schools of grunts and snappers, among other species. The site reaches a maximum depth of 15 meters, making it accessible for divers of all experience levels. Notable marine life includes reef stingrays, butterflyfish, angelfish, moray eels, boxfish, and lobsters.

9.6327, -85.1966

Tortilla

Tortilla is located on the west coast of the peninsula and features a seabed primarily made up of complex rubble and rock formations. The site reaches a maximum depth of 20 meters, making it accessible for divers of varying experience levels. This underwater environment supports a diverse range of habitats, which are home to various invertebrates, small reef fish, as well as sharks and rays. The entry to the dive site is from the shore.

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Tortuga Equador

Tortuga Ecuador is a dive site accessible from the shore, featuring a variety of rocky formations that provide shelter for marine life. Divers of all experience levels can explore the shallow areas, which are rich in biodiversity. More advanced divers can venture to the Rusty II wreck, located at a depth of 22 meters (70 feet). The site is home to white tip reef sharks, moray eels, and lobsters, with longtail stingrays found in deeper sections. Schools of fish are abundant, making it an excellent location for macro photography enthusiasts.

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Virador

Virador is located approximately 20 minutes from Playa del Coco and is recognized as a popular dive site within the Gulf of Papagayo. This site features a drift dive around a prominent pinnacle, typically lasting about an hour. Divers can expect to encounter large schools of jacks and various tropical fish species. In the deeper sandy areas, sightings of white tip reef sharks and rays are common.

10.6109, -85.7014