catalina islands, costa rica diving

The Catalina’s archipelago has many dive sites. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. All Rights Reserved. Made up of 20 small islands, the Catalina archipelago is a scuba paradise. 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. There are huge schools of various species of fish. The bus company Alfaro connects San Jose to Tamarindo and vice versa, twice daily. Today we are diving in Costa Rica! The huge prize is to swim with the Pacific Giant Manta whose … The best season for diving is from November until March if you are keen to spot some manta rays. 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. 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. 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. The underwater world and marine life is also quite amazing. If you plan on diving the Catalinas or Bat Islands during your trip, please indicate which day you would prefer to visit these. 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. With over 30 years of experience, we make the difference between a good trip and a lifetime memory. Any other special requests regarding equipment can be entered here as well. Diving off the Catalina Islands is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable experiences you’re likely to have on your Costa Rica vacation. Additionally, it’s only a 30 minute boat ride from the Flamingo marina making it one of the best scuba diving sites in Costa Rica! Diving Tour of Catalina Islands. Scuba Diving Catalina Islands’ offshore coral and rock formations is the perfect way to capture colorful memories of your trip to Costa Rica. All equipment is provided and included in the price. Costa Rica’s Catalina Islands. The dive trip is usually a two-dive trip, with refreshments offered during the surface interval. This is a protected area, with similar marine flora and fauna. Take the time to enjoy it and just allow yourself to soak in the beauty; don’t worry about anything. Get ready to dive with Pacific Coast Dive Center, the safest and most experienced diving shop in Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica. The variety of life in this ocean is astounding and never boring as it changes so much during the year. With an array of shallow and deep sites, it's a great all-round destination for divers of all experience levels. During February and March, strong winds may affect visibility (6 meters) and water temperature can be around 20°C. Depending on their level, they will be followed by a divemaster or dive instructor. Catalina Island: water temperature ranges from 18° to 27°C (64° to 81°F) How To Get There. He worked in Egypt (Red Sea – Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam), and had his own diving center in Otranto, Italy. The Catalinas are situated about a half hour boat ride from our location and offer your best chance to swim with the Pacific Giant Mantas in Costa Rica.The Catalinas’ are an isolated group of islands, south of our dive shop.. Scuba Dive Costa Rica. Generally, they are all good depending on the needs of each person. Diving from Tamarindo will be via boat diving. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 45 minutes of navigation you will reach the first dive site. He has worked in many other places an instructor, ROV pilot and more. Let your stress and worries stay at home or on the boat and just relax and enjoy the amazing marine life. 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). The Discover Scuba Diving depth limits are 12 meters. Local, Catalina's and Bat Island trips! What are you waiting for? Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, The marine life here is just amazing…. Costa Rica Experts © 2021. Sometimes it is easy to detect during the boat trip, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and with a little bit of luck whale sharks. 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. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. It was the perfect spot to introduce Dad to Costa Rica's underwater playground! Start the boat ride with briefings from your guides regarding the boat and dive safety and procedures. You can also rent an ATV and with a tour guide, go exploring the jungle woods around town. Depending on the season, some people opt not to wear any wetsuit, or maybe just a rashguard due to the warmth of the water (May-August). You can also take additional certifications and courses while diving in Costa Rica. The dive trip lasts approx. 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 . The content on this website is for general information purposes and does not replace diver training or serve as medical advice. If you visit Costa Rica, then you need to experience the amazing underwater world of the Catalinas. The Catalina Islands are a collection of 20 outcroppings and islands formed by volcanic activity. Join 10k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! Diving in Fuerteventura (Morro Jable) Canary Islands – Spain, Q&A with Marine Science Teacher – Anna Ortega. These dive sites are more advanced due to surge, stronger currents and rougher surface conditions. They are perfect places for large schools of fish, rays, and other marine life to congregate. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. From humpback whales to manta rays, this coast is suitable to all diving levels. Please note: day tours require minimum passengers to operate. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. The wind can sometimes affect the visibility and it can range from 6 meters to 20 meters. Photo Credit: tobze. 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. Rockdivers Costa Rica is the #1 Dive Shop in Playas del Coco, TripAdvisor Rating. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Located in the north of the Guanacaste off the coast of Santa Rosa National Park, this area has been protected as part of the national park. As far as nightlife, you do not have to worry. 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 … Dolphins, humpback whales, and orcas are seen very frequent during the Catalina Island trips. Other diving sites in the same archipelago are Roca Sucia, Cuatro Piedras, Sombrero, Roca Escondida, Elefante, and many more. Today we are diving in Costa Rica! Weather and group size can limit the availability of these dives on any given day. Please list any additional tours of interest or questions. Your guides will choose 2 dive sites, weather & daily conditions depending, to perform 60 ft max dives (40 ft if certification is restricted). Marine life is very similar in all these diving sites. Please enter special requests here. Just make sure you are always informed about the tides! However, the diving here is always good with the exception of October due to the strong rains. Scuba diving packages on Catalina range from day trips to week-long scuba vacations. Heading to Catalina Islands, from the town of Tamarindo. Keep your eyes open for signs of dolphins, whales (in season), mating turtles (in season), and the amazing jumping rays. Always seek professional advice, follow the local law, and consult a doctor for medical advice. Scuba diving the Catalina Islands offers some of the best diving in the country. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 The better 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 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. After approx. The indigo waters surrounding the Catalina Islands serve as a haven for a spectacular array of marine life. Divers are provided with all of the equipment. Isla Catalinas (Catalina Island) offers a great opportunity to swim with the Pacific giant mantas as well as huge schools of fish and sharks. Diving at the Catalinas is usually an amazing experience, due to its incredibly rich submarine wildlife. PADI Dive Shop. There is enough for all pockets and tastes! Tamarindo town has got so much to offer. When you talk about diving in Costa Rica, Catalina Island is a very good chance to dive with the Pacific Giant Mantas. so, so rich! 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. Diving the Catalina Islands. Depending on weather conditions, you could also go to Cabo Velas, a diving site closer to Tamarindo, which is more sheltered from the wind and currents. What is a Cenote and the Different Types of Cenotes? Las Catalinas, Costa Rica Scuba Diving and Snorkeling. The best diving in Costa Rica, though, is arguably at the Cocos Islands, 300 miles off the mainland and a UNESCO World … Now he runs Tamarindo Diving in Costa Rica where he and his team love to show people the beauty of this ocean and its marine life. 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. Our boat will take you there in less than an hour! The Catalina’s are not known for strong currents or drift diving. Learn basic snorkeling and safety procedures before jumping in. In particular, it's known as the country's wreck diving capital. 5 hours leaving in the mornings. We have 3mm shorty and long wetsuits. Tortuga Island is located in the Gulf of Nicoya on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. However, some other dive sites are equally well known and great. Use this wetsuit temperature guide to get you started. The Pacific coastline is also known for pelagic life. Will you need a surfing or diving wetsuit when you get to Tamarindo? 9 November 2020 Costa Rica sits between the Pacific and the Caribbean. Divers of all levels can dive the Catalinas. Fly to Liberia international airport (LIR) North of Costa Rica. Slipping into the Pacific waters off Costa Rica for a snorkel is a relaxing way to spend the day. Costa Rica translates to “Rich Coast,” an apt name for a country surrounded by oceans. Arco Iris (Rainbow) is one of my favorite dive sites in the Catalina Islands area on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Costa Rica Experts is the leading authority on Costa Rica vacations. All content on this website is copyright by Down to Scuba unless otherwise stated. This morning, I was thrilled to dive the Catalina Islands, an archipelago of volcanic and sedimentary islands just a few miles offshore from Flamingo. When to Dive the Catalina Islands. Each time has been an excellent experience with tons of wildlife. 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. When conditions are not optimal, we might opt to go diving at Cabo Velas, a more sheltered area, closer to Tamarindo Beach. Due to soft coral and fragile sea fans, these islands are normally, but not exclusively, reserved for intermediate to advanced divers who can navigate deep and drift dives (where divers are transported by tidal currents). The bus trip lasts approx. Most snorkeling tours combine sailing into the excursion experience with the option of booking in the morning or at sunset. The Bat Islands are considered one of the top scuba diving destinations in Costa Rica. Horse tours are also very popular and there is a canopy (zipline) for the more adventurous! 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. Conditions are mostly really good. Explore the waters surrounding the Catalina Islands off the coast of Costa Rica during snorkeling sessions on this guided tour from Tamarindo. Tours » The Bat Islands are choc-o-bloc with Costa Rica’s famed marine life. 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. Heading to Catalina Islands, from the town of Tamarindo. 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…. 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. Diving Costa Rica. 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