Scuba Diving in Costa Rica

Costa Rica does not only offer virgin rainforest, fascinating volcanoes and pristine beaches but also an overwhelming world of undersea wildlife. A a distance of 2 to 15 miles offshore in the northwest of the country from Nicoya peninsula the archipelago of the Catalina Islands is to be found that consists of about 20 rocks of different sizes. A little bit further north, Bat Island / Isla Murciélagos is located. The exposed location of these islands guarantees an abundant variety of sea wildlife which is hardly to be found somewhere else. For some reason - unexplored up to now - the Catalina and Bat Islands are a melting pot of very different undersea wildlife and fish that usually do not occur together. With good luck, even whale sharks are to be seen at Bat Island.

Visibility: is about 18 to 75 ft., and strong currents have to be expected once in a while. But you will be highly recompensed by a spectacle that does not allow even one minute of boredom: huge schools of snappers, sharks, eagle mantas, turtles and barracudas are awaiting the diver as well as an immense variety of other tropical fish and reef wildlife. The huge mantas rays are to be seen between November and May; and one of the giant turtle species can be met all year round.

Water temperature: Is between 75 and 85° F; diving season is all year round since there are no bigger rivers here that could transport stones and mud during the rainy season and would thus affect the good view. Between the end of November and end of February, the diving trip to Bat Island may not always take place since at this time of the year, a strong coastal wind from the north (Papagayo) may hinder the boat to leave the harbor. Short term, bookings are then switched to the Catalina Islands.

Marine Life Around Catalina Islands: The best months for diving the Catalina Islands are December through May, where we have seen up to 50 Manta Rays with wingspans of 14 to 20 ft on a single dive.

Marine Life Around Bat Islands: The optimum months for the long range trip to the Bat Islands are March through November. Here we see the impressive 8 to 15 ft bull sharks, schools of cow-nosed rays, eagle rays and horse-eye jacks, spade fish, pompano, snapper and Wahoo.

Marine Life on Local Dive sites: The local dives offer many white tip reef sharks, giant schools of grunts and yellowtails, spotted eagle rays, turtles, gigantic stingrays, angel fish, octopus, sea horses, starfish, frog fish and many species of eels. With some luck, you will be able to see also whale sharks up to 35’ long as well as spinner dolphins, humpback whales, pilot whales, Orcas and false killer whales.

The American owned and managed diving company "Bill Beard’s Diving Safaris" is located at the Hotel Sol Playa Hermosa and La Costa/Condovac Playa Hermosa in the northwest of Nicoya Peninsula. Playa Hermosa is a small but lively beach place with some restaurants, bars, disco and shops along a dark colored sand beach.

Dives: There are daily two trips with 2 tank dives as well as night dives. Along with more than 25 local dive sites within 30 minutes from the dive shop, longer range dive trips are offered to the Catalina and Bat Islands.

Catalina and Bat Island: Dives are seasonal, a minimum amount of divers requirement, and an additional charge that is NOT included.

Dive Boats & Equipment: All of the boats (29’ diesel custom built dive boat, 37’ twin diesel boat with lots of deck space, 10 x 34’ twin 125 outboard tri-hull pontoon) are covered. There are three compressors and rental equipment for up to 40 divers. Oxygen, first aid, snacks, beverages, weight belts and tanks are on all boats.

Computer diving allowed. Nitrox fills and certification courses are available in limited numbers.

Package Value:

• Diving: Is a two tank local morning boat dive leaving at 8:30 AM unless otherwise specified, Includes weight belt, weights, snacks on board, Captain and underwater guide.
• Accommodations: Are at Hotel Sol Playa Hermosa Resort and rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single and triple rates are available.
• Meals: Breakfast is included
• Taxes: are included.

Isla del Caño & Peninsula de Osa

Isla del Caño and the Osa Peninsula coast are part of mammoth (Rio Sierpe, Rio Terraba, Caño Island) marine ecosystem.

Isla del Caño is located on the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in front of Drake Bay. It is a Biological Reserve, protected under the our National Park System. It has 320 Has. (800 acres) of land and 2700 Has. (6672 acres) of marine habitat. The abundant marine life and coral are almost unique for Pacific waters in Costa Rica.

The Osa Peninsula reaches out into the Pacific ocean from southwestern Costa Rica and is described by National Geographic as "the most biologically intense place on earth" More than 1,000 acres of mangroves wetlands and 1,000 miles of fresh and salt water rivers, estuaries an tributaries interact with the Pacific ocean through tides, which provides for an incredible abundance of marine life.

Marine life: Around Caño Island you may encounter Humpback whales, Dolphins, Reef Sharks, Giant Manta Rays, Mobula Rays, Sea Turtles, Groupers, Snappers, Angels, Moorish Idols, Trumpet fish, various types of Eels, Crustaceans, Huge schools of Barracudas, Jacks, Grunts and much more.

Coral Formations: The soft and hard Coral formations are common, but not as colorful and abundant as in the Caribbean. There are 15 or more types of stony coral species as well as the attendant coral eaters (star fish, mollusks and hermit crabs) The terrain varies widely and includes 20' reefs, 50' underwater pinnacles, canyons, walls and caves.

Dive site: The dive trips are usually a full day adventure, leaving in the morning and returning in the late afternoon.

Visibility: The visibility varies from site to site, but is usually no lower than 40' and up to 100' plus making it the best in mainland Costa Rica.

Temperature Range: High 70's to Low 80's with thermo clines at varying depths.

This resort is a small beach front retreat located in beautiful Drake Bay, along the Osa Peninsula among one of the most beautiful lowland tropical forest on earth, the rooms are clean and comfortable with a view of the Pacific ocean and Drake Bay. It is also a PADI International Resort Facility, offering a wide range of professional underwater services for the recreational Scuba Diver. They are also members of DEMA and DAN.

Upon request! office@tierra-verde.com

Package includes: Dives, weights, belt & dive guide. "C" card and liability release is required.

Groups and Tour Conductors: Maximum group size is 14 and One free tour conductor.(Based on space availability for every 10-13 paid guest)

Night Dives: Are available on a limited basis.

Dive Staff and Boats: All boat dives are guided by certified PADI instructors or Dive masters and all dive staff are Medic first aid and oxygen provider certifies. The boats are small but fast, allowing only 4-6 divers per boat up to a maximum of 8.

Equipment Rental: Top quality Sherwood Regulators, Gauge BC's,  Mask, fins and Snorkels; Henderson 3mm neoprene wet suits are available for rental.