World’s Best Diving

Costa Rica Special Bulletin May 2019

?World’s Best Diving - Arguably, some of the world’s best diving is in one of its smallest countries, Costa Rica

Recent marine animal sightings have been Orcas, Mola Mola, Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Whale Sharks, Giant Pacific Manta Ray, Mobula Rays, Cow Nose Rays, Southern Sting Rays, Spotted Eagle Rays, bull & white tip sharks, many species of Schooling Fish and much more.

Most travel forums on scuba diving and snorkeling off Costa Rica’s mainland highlight the natural beauty and ecological biodiversity of Costa Rica. ... Some of the world’s best dive sites are located on nearby islands such as Bats, Catalina & Cano Islands, rated in the ‘Top 10 Best Dives Sites of the World” their breathtaking displays of marine life is unsurpassed. Most of the marine life is seen year around on our 50+ dive sites.

The best time to see humpback & pilot whales in Costa Rica is December to March and August to December. This is due to the migration patterns of the humpback whales, of which both Northern and Southern hemisphere whales pass through Costa Rica.

Humpback Whale Video In Costa Rica: SEA HERE

The most famous of Costa Rica’s islands is Cocos Islands , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cocos Islands offers divers exceptional marine life. Submerged volcanic islands covered with reefs set the backdrop for large schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, mantas ray, marlin, whale sharks from May to August and humpback whale sightings all year-round.

The scuba diving in Cocos Island is nothing short of exceptional, with unparalleled shark experiences in a Pacific playground for schooling hammerheads, manta rays, whale sharks, endangered sea turtles, humpback whales, and so much more……

Bill Beard’s offer pre & post Cocos Islands trip tours throughout the country. We also arrange diving in advance for those that wish to polish their skills a bit before tackling Cocos Islands.

NORTHWEST PACIFIC COAST:??GUANACASTE

We recieved this nice report from?Katja Wimmer?a dive instructor currently working in Guanacaste.

The big rock formations are home for starfish, nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs, moray eels, snake eels, scorpionfish, sea horses, frog fish, groupers, and puffer fish. Also turtles, sharks and manta rays are common in this area with dolphins often greeting us on the way out to the sites and riding in the waves alongside and behind the boat.?Daily we can see how devil rays are breaching out of the water and jumping for happiness around our boat.

We had a fabulous Jan, Feb and March that brought big schools of fish, huge sting rays, devil rays, mobula rays, cownose rays and eagle rays in schools or alone passing by. And BONUS! We were very lucky to see a mola mola and a couple of whale sharks, plus the migrating humpback whales and Orcas.?Simply stellar diving so far in 2019!

The water temperature is usually between 22 and 28 degrees. In the dry season the water can sometimes be a bit colder, but in the rainy season the temperature goes up to 30 degrees. A long 3mm wetsuit is available for rent and normally fine for most.

The visibility underwater averages 10-20 meters and can change because of the pelagic and nutrient content in the water every day. We had strong winds giving us some days with visibility below and some days above average this period. But this also means that it brings in a prolific variety of marine life.

Catalina Islands are famous for the big fish and the chances to see oceanic manta rays, sharks and big schools of fish while diving is definitely higher there. It is only a 30-minutes boat ride away from Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa.

If you are keen to dive with bull sharks Bat Island is the place to go. It takes about one hour by boat to reach this area which is part of the Santa Rosa National Park. You can also find big schools of fish, rays and the oceanic manta rays there. Due to the weather conditions you can′t dive Bat Island if the winds are strong, but the Catalina Island and the local dive sites are accessible all year.

Scuba diving in Costa Rica is not about the coral reef, it is more about the marine life and finding the big stuff. Every day underwater is a big surprise and you will never know what appears next to you and is dancing around you. So, go check it out and scuba dive the Pacific. Scuba diving in Guanacaste is fantastic all year long. The best place to stay is in the Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa area as there are more than 25 local dive sites and therefore it is never crowded.

For more information and to Book Your Costa Rica Dive Vacation: GO HERE