Diving In Costa Rica
Since you are here visiting this site, it is safe to say that you have at least a bit of an interest in diving in Costa Rica. To make the best possible choice, it is important to keep several things in mind. Below I have created some simple tips to help you get the most out of your Costa Rican diving vacation.
What Time Of Year Is Best To Dive In Costa Rica?
Tip: Visit Costa Rica between the months of May and November and get in a full array of diving the Bats, Cats and some local diving. Bring a 3mm full length or shorty for this period of time. 3-5mm full length if you will be visiting in March.
This is an interesting question which many people fail to consider. Costa Rica due to its position is warm year round. The water stays relatively warm as well. During the coldest months, March and April, the water may dip below 20 degrees celsius at the surface and have substantial thermoclines as you descend. The warmer months, in terms of water temperature, actually come between the months of May and November. This is also when you will consistently have the best visibility in the water as well.
The marine life is around year round, however, some of the diving locations such as the Bat Islands, are only explored with most dive companies from May until November due to the rough waters in the Gulf de Papagayo. Rocket Frog Divers is pleased to be the only dive shop in Costa Rica with a boat that is designed to make it through these waters and is able to offer this excursion year round.
Due to these reasons, the best time to go diving in Costa Rica, doesn’t correspond very well with the time when most people in the Northern Hemisphere try to take their vacation to escape the cold.
Where Are The Best Diving Locations In Costa Rica?
Tip: If you have got all kinds of time and money, definitely travel around our lovely country and try out different areas (Guancaste, Cano, Caribbean, and the Cocos Islands). If you are here only for a week or two you will probably be best off calling Guanacaste home base and diving the Catalinas and Bat Islands as well as locally.
Costa Rica is a land full of beauty up and down both sides of its coasts. There are dive locations up and down both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts as well as a little island called the Cocos Islands which is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 dive locations in the world! The Cocos Islands are only accessible by liveaboard boats and take a 30-40 hour trip to reach and deep pockets.
The next best dive location in Costa Rica has got to be the northern Pacific part of the country in the Gulf de Papagayo. This location features the Bat Islands, the Catalina Islands, as well as all kinds of local diving that will blow your mind. In this area you can dive with bull sharks on the same day that you will see the giant pacific manta rays, as well as huge schools of fish, rays, different species of sharks, and all kinds of macro life like sea horses and nudibranches that our divemasters will help you spot.
Rocket Frog Divers is located in Playa Ocotal which is conveniently situated between the Catalinas and the Bat Islands with all kinds of great local diving only minutes away.
What Else Do You Want To Do On Your Vacation in Costa Rica?
Tip: Give yourself a few extra days to explore some inland activities in our country. Day trips can be arranged from Playa Ocotal to take you any where in Guanacaste. Lake Arenal, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and Palo Verde riverboat tours are some of the favorite destinations.
If you are here why not try and squeeze in a little bit extra in the trip. Within a few short hours drive through our beautiful country you can be from the beaches of Guanacaste to the beautiful Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, or Palo Verde National Park. If you are into surfing, Tamarindo, Playa Grande, and Witches Rock are all accessible within a short period of time from our Playa Ocotal location.
Hopefully these few tips will help you choose when and where to visit when you go scuba diving in Costa Rica. If we can be of any assistance in helping your organize your trip, please do not hesitate to Contact Us and we will do our best to help you out. We hope to be part of your Costa Rica diving holiday.
