Las Catalinas
Las Catalinas Islands are home to some of the best coastal diving in Costa Rica with year-round diving and a fantastic variety of marine life. With more than 12 great dive sites, if you are planning to dive during your visit, Las Catalinas has to be on your list of places to dive in Costa Rica. Las Catalinas Islands are famous for Giant Pacific Manta Ray sightings, which are typically seen over the winter months of December through to May.
The best time of year to dive at las Catalinas & Bat Islands is from June to October when the Ocean is warm, clean, and teeming with life. Water temperatures range from 21C/70F in Winter, to 28C/83F from Spring through to the Fall months.
Las Catalinas dive sites are suitable for all levels of divers and snorkelers, even first-time divers.
Las Catalinas dive sites are for you if you are staying in Tamarindo, Reserva Conchal, Brasilito, Playa Flamingo, Surf Side, Potrero, and Las Catalinas Resort. Hotels Diria, Westin & W Conchal, and Margaritaville.
Las Catalinas Islands are also home to White Tip Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Devil Rays, Cow Nose Rays, Turtles, Dolphins, Moray Eels, Puffer Fish, Octopus, Seahorse and giant schools of Jacks and Grunts.
Over February and March, and then July to October we are very lucky to have Humpback Whales in the area and are usually a guaranteed sighting every day.
Humpback Whales come inshore of the Islands to give birth, and can be seen frequently close to dive boats, and divers are treated to whale-song almost every day during this season.
Meet time is 7:30am and Las Catalinas dive boats depart shortly after 8am. After 2 dives, the boat returns to shore at approximately 1pm.
If you need assistance to reach the dive center from your accommodation, a shuttle bus is available to get you here and back again. Alternatively, we can arrange a private pick up. Just tell us where you are staying.