Flamingo, Tamarindo and the Catalina Islands

Before Getting on the Boat

• Confirm certification, medical fitness, recent practice and individually appropriate dive depth.
• Ask about group size, check-in location, exit/reboarding, current and swell, oxygen, communications and rescue plan.
• Expect thermoclines and variable visibility; do not chase mantas into deeper or stronger water.
• An unfamiliar site called The Wall can include rock faces and surge; the site name is not a blanket skill rating.
• Keep repetitive no-decompression dive-to-flight intervals at least 18 hours under DAN guidance; additional buffer reduces risk.
• Freedivers require direct safety supervision and must not hyperventilate or train alone.
• Snorkelers must be able to manage a deep-water entry and maintain distance from moving boats and rocks. Site conditions; No-fly guidance; Freedive safety.

First response belongs to Costa Rica emergency services: dial 911. For suspected decompression illness, embolism, blackout, serious injury or immersion trouble, alert the crew and local EMS immediately and ask trained personnel to provide appropriate first aid and oxygen while arranging medical evaluation. DAN runs a 24/7 emergency consultation line at +1-919-684-9111, but its guidance says to contact EMS first. Liberia has regional hospital services, yet specialist chamber availability, acceptance and travel time were not independently verified for this guide. Ask the boat operator before departure which receiving facility and evacuation route it actually uses. DAN emergency guidance; Health facilities note.

These rocky Catalina waters are habitat for rays, sharks, fish and invertebrates, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter venue. Never touch, feed, chase or block an animal; for mantas, the Manta Trust supports passive observation and avoiding interference with cleaning stations. Avoid standing on or kicking the seafloor, bring back all trash, and use moorings or anchoring only where locally permitted. The current reviewed evidence does not establish a Catalina-specific marine-park entry tag, but absence of such a fee is not a license to collect wildlife or ignore local rules. Underwater fishing and associated permits are separate from ordinary recreational diving. Manta interaction research; Fishing permit.