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Scuba Diving and Snorkelling in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the best snorkelling and diving locations in the world, home to 3.5% of the world’s marine life and with coasts in different oceans meaning a wide range of species you’ll be amazed at what you can find. From starfish to sea turtles the possibilities are endless, and with a number of companies running dive school and offering equipment rental it’s a great way to discover the world beneath the waves. Here’s a mini-guide to help you when you’re in Costa Rica.

The Caribbean Side – Renowned for its fantastic snorkelling opportunities, the Caribbean coast is also home to a large array of coral. Try snorkelling early in the morning as the sea is calmer and there are less people out on the water to scare away the fish. There you’re likely to see angel fish, starfish, turtles, starfish, crabs and a whole load of other brightly coloured warm water fish. It really is worth a look if you’re in the area and will give you an unforgettable experience.

Coco Island – Widely regarded as being one of the world’s top ten scuba destinations, Coco Island is 310 miles off Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast. Schools of fish and large sea animals come close to the shore due to the undisturbed waters, making it perfect for scuba divers who want to get as close to the sealife as possible. You can see hammerhead sharks, white tip reef sharks, bull sharks, mobula rays, Galapagos sharks and a whole host of other species. To get to the island you’ll need to arrange a place on one of the tours run by approved companies and usually last about a week.

Central Pacific – This region is better known for its volcanic formations as opposed to the usual coral which attracts scuba divers and snorkelers. There you’ll find white tip sharks, turtles, eagle rays, puffer fish, parrot fish and even lobster. For living corals you’ll have to dive down but in shallow waters you can find captivating volcanic formations and large school of fish. It offers a fantastic sight and a totally different experience to most other dive spots. The best time to dive or snorkel there is in the November to April dry season.