We are fortunate to have so many great dive sites only a short boat ride away.  Most of the local sites accommodate all levels of experience.  The dives are multi-level starting out at 30ft/10m and sloping down to a maximum depth of 90ft/22m (See the dive site map).

We typically see schooling grunts, spade fish, horse-eye jacks, surgeons, angelfish, and butterfly-barber fish, just to name a few species. We also see white-tip reef sharks, an occasional nurse shark, eagle rays, devil rays, southern sting rays, and cow-nose rays, as well as several species of puffer fish and eels, octopus and turtles.  On the tinier side, harlequin-clown shrimp, seahorses, nudibranches, and frog fish are found hiding in the corals and rock formations.  Whale sharks occasionally visit this area and can be seen any time of year.  Humpback whales, pilot whales, dolphin, and turtles frequently keep us entertained during the boat rides.  Some of our favorite sites are Virador, Monkey Head, Los Meros, Argentina Point, Tortuga and Surpresa. 

Catalina Islands is known for the huge manta rays seen during the dry season.  While the manta rays are seasonal to this area, you always have a chance to see them any time of year.  When you have an encounter with one of these giants, you will never forget.

The main dive sites at the Catalinas are The Point and The Wall. There you will have the chance to see white-tip reef sharks, huge schools of cow-nose rays, devil rays and eagle rays, plus schooling barracuda and horse-eye jacks.  

When divers come to this area, they want to book a trip to The Bat Islands (Isla Murcielagos) primarily for the chance to see the bull sharks at Big Scare.  But they soon find out that bull sharks are not the only giants in the area.  This site is also known for other pelagic marine life, including manta rays, huge schools of fish and zebra eels.  This area is  part of the Santa Rosa National Park. Permits are required. The best time of year to visit the Bat Islands is during the rainy season (April-November).

Catalina Islands and Bat Islands are advanced dive sites due to surge, stronger currents and rougher surface conditions.  Boats do not use an anchor at these sites, so divers need to be able to make a quick descent and make the safety stop without a line. Depth goes from 30-120ft / 10 to 35m.  We require a local day of diving before planning these trips to get divers acclimated to the water.

Dive and surf or is it surf and dive? 

Diving Safaris has just teamed up with Costa Rica Surf Charter to offer an entirely new "open water" experience in the Gulf of Papagayo; multiple days of diving and surfing on the live-aboard Aquadesiac.  Be first in the water and enjoy crowd-free dive sites and surf breaks while travelling in comfort aboard this 48-foot replica of a Grand Banks trawler, with a cruising speed of 10–12 knots.  The boat has three staterooms (sleeps six), two bathrooms, a kitchen and salon.  Aquadesiac has all required permits for entering the waters of the national parks in Costa Rica, where some of the best surfing and diving is available.  Enjoy the Pura Vida!

For more information on the live-aboard Aquadesiac please contact us.