Scuba Diving Guanacaste - Where to Dive
When it comes to biodiversity, Costa Rica is one of the richest countries in the world. It is the home of a diverse number of ecosystems. It occupies a relatively small land territory and happens to be located in between two of the world's biggest oceans. Costa Rica is renowned as a leading destination for scuba divers. Its Pacific coast appeals to world-class divers mainly due to the bountiful sea life that is home to its crystal clear waters.
Isla del Coco (Cocos Island)
Off the coast of Costa Rica is one of the country's renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Cocos Island is more than a top diving destination. It is also the home of around 25 endemic species of fish found nowhere else in the world. The island of Cocos is located 300 nautical miles from the mainland. It has been named by two respected organizations (The Guardian and Scuba Travel) as one of the best in the world when it comes to diving. The Cocos Island National Marine Park is accessible by boat from the mainland.
The richness of sea life is father multiplied by the fact that sailfish, marlin, even sharks and whales are attracted to the waters of Costa Rica to mate and feed. Companies that cater to divers and tourists provide their guests with a liveaboard dive vessel in order to provide them with an amazing experience under the sea.
One such company is The Undersea Hunter Group which offers visitors to Cocos Island the amazing opportunity to experience the functionalities of liveaboard boats. Interested parties may visit their website at underseahunter.com to inquire as to the availability of dive masters and equipment.
The Isla del Caño - Caño Island
Another landmark location in Costa Rica is Caño Island. This haven of biodiversity is located on the northwest area of the Osa Peninsula on Drake Bay. Scuba Advisers consider it as one of the best dive spots in the country, while National Geographic names it as the most biodiverse place on the planet.
The number of reef fish species is quite overwhelming. Bigger species also populate the waters off the coast, including moray eels, manta rays, turtles, dolphins, orcas or killer whales, and many shark varieties. Pilot whales and humpback whales are frequently seen as well.
Visitors to this magnificent yet remote region of Costa Rica would do well to book a resort such as the Pirate Cove Hotel which is close to the island. Visit their website and see that the resort is very close to Corcovado National Park. The hotel offers guests Scuba excursions and lessons. The hotel is also a member of the PADI International Resort Association.
Catalina Islands
In Northwestern Costa Rica, there is a group of islands known for its pelagic species, its diverse & vibrant coral species, and the spectacular underwater formations. The Catalina group of islands can be found off the part of the coastline where Flamingo Beach and Playa Ocotal are located (along the Gulf of Papagayo). Scuba Travel and dive operators of Guanacaste agree that this is one of the best locations in Costa Rica.
Visit ocotaldiving.com for more information on the facilities and leisure offerings of the Ocotal Beach Resort. This resort offers boat rides to the Catalina Islands.
Islas Murciélago - Bat Islands
Off the coast of Northwestern Costa Rica's Playas Coco lies the Bat Islands or Islas Murciélago. This group of islands is found within the Santa Rosa National Park. Experienced divers encounter drop-offs and strong currents and because of these features, amateurs need to pay extra attention and exercise caution.
"Bajo el Agua", a diving newsletter (in Spanish), declared that divers who dream of seeing various species of rays and sharks ought to pay a visit to Bat Islands. The island is known as "The Big Scare" and is famous for its large and dangerous shark species.
One of the more prominent outfitters that serve the Bat Islands is Diving Safaris Costa Rica. Visit their website at costaricadiving.net to check out scheduled trips from Playa Hermosa.