What time of year is best to dive in Costa Rica?

August-December is when you'll find little wind and calm seas. Most of the pelagic species found during the rainy season leave Costa Rica's coast and are replaced by a variety of fish and macro species. It is also the best time to dive in Costa Rica for beginner divers who prefer easy, colorful diving.

Where is the best diving in Costa Rica?

10 Best Costa Rica Diving & Snorkeling Spots

• Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge | Southern Caribbean Coast.
• Caño Island Biological Reserve | Osa Peninsula.
• Catalina Islands for Diving or Snorkeling | Guanacaste.
• Gulf of Papagayo for Snorkeling | Guanacaste.
• Gulfo Dulce for Snorkeling | Osa Peninsula.

Is Costa Rica a good place to scuba dive?

It is no surprise that with a coast in the Caribbean and one on the Pacific Ocean, scuba diving in Costa Rica is some of the best in the world. Costa Rica is home to one of the world's best destinations for diving with hammerhead sharks, Cocos Island.

Which season is best for scuba diving?

Diving Season: October to May is the best diving season, with lower rainfall, calmer seas, and better visibility. Skill Level: Some experience in stronger currents is recommended.

When can you see manta rays in Costa Rica?

Manta Rays can be seen throughout the year in the waters around Las Catalinas, but are at their most prominent during the period between late November to early May, when individuals and groups frequently make their way through the area to feed in the protected waters off of town.

Which ocean is better in Costa Rica?

Pacific

Most travelers visiting Costa Rica think the Pacific side of the country is the better coast to visit. The remote Osa Peninsula, the monkey-filled area of Manuel Antonio, the surfing near Santa Theres, and the touristy Nicoya coast make it the superior choice.

Where is the prettiest water in Costa Rica?

Calmest Swimming Beach: Playa Chiquita

Nestled just south of Puerto Viejo on the beautiful Caribbean coast, Playa Chiquita is an area known for its pristine jungle-fringed beaches and sparkling clear waters.

Where is the scuba diving capital of the world?

Key Largo, Florida

Key Largo, Florida is known as the scuba diving capital of the world. This is because there is a very large amount of dive sites easily accessible to divers. The Florida Keys is located along the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world.

Is Tamarindo good for scuba diving?

The visibility is usually good throughout all the seasons of the year, it is normally anywhere from 6 to 23 meters, or 18 to 75 feet. We highly recommend bringing your underwater camera with you on your trip because diving in Tamarindo will be a great experience.

Which country is best for scuba diving?

The Indonesian Republic is regularly voted as the best place in the world to scuba dive. The country consists of more than 13,000 islands, each having its own distinct identity both above and below the water.

Where is the best diving in Asia?

The 10 best dive sites in Asia

• Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. …
• Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar. …
• Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia. …
• Andaman Islands, India. …
• Komodo Island, Indonesia. …
• Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. …
• Kerama Islands, Okinawa, Japan. …
• Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Philippines.

Can you scuba dive in Costa Rica without certification?

If you ever wondered if you need to be certified to go scuba diving in Costa Rica, you do not. Many scuba diving companies in Costa Rica offer what they call a “discovery dive” which is specifically for people who don't have their certification.

Why do stingrays jump out of the water in Costa Rica?

Although marine biologists are not 100% sure why the devil rays do this there are several theories, some believe that they jump to try to get rid of some of the remora fish that adhere to their bodies; others believe it helps them escape from predators, while others think it is part of their mating ritual to attract …

What is the best month to go to Costa Rica?

The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. We'd also recommend traveling in the country's green season, from May to June or in November. This is when you catch the seasons in transition, and the national parks are quieter.

What is the prettiest beach in Costa Rica?

Here are nine of the best beaches in Costa Rica.

• Playa Santa Teresa. Deddeda/Getty Images. …
• Playa Conchal. DEA/V. …
• Playa Hermosa. Kryssia Campos/Getty Images. …
• Playa Garza. lightphoto/Getty Images. …
• Playa Ostional. Mario Arana Garcia/Getty Images. …
• Playa Manuel Antonio. holgs/Getty Images. …
• Playa Biesanz. …
• Playa Tortuguero.

Where is the bluest water in Costa Rica?

The Celestial River is located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, just south of the Costa Rican border with Nicaragua. The river is colored celestial blue, a phenomenon caused by a mineral mixture of sulfur and calcium carbonate.

Where is the clearest water in the world for diving?

Silfra Ravine

To this end, the clearest water is the most ideal for any submerged adventurer – and there is nowhere clearer to the eye than the Silfra Ravine. Located at the crack between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, this Icelandic fissure has the greatest underwater visibility of any diving spot on Earth!

Why is Tamarindo so popular?

• Well known for great surfing waves, stunning sunsets and a legendary nightlife, Tamarindo is a popular beach town in the Guanacaste province, perfect for the ultimate fun in the sun vacation.

Is Tamarindo Costa Rica too touristy?

While it can be busy and touristy, Tamarindo does offer a convenient way to experience the Guanacaste region and some of its top activities, so you'll never be wondering what to do in Tamarindo.

Where is the best diving in Indonesia?

• Best Diving Spots in Indonesia
  • Ambon Bay, Maluku – World-class muck diving.
  • Alor, East Nusa Tenggara – Indonesia's hidden gem.
  • Banda Sea, Maluku – Sea snakes and hammerheads!
  • Bali – Wrecks, tiny critters, manta rays, Molas–Bali has it all!
  • Derawan Islands, Borneo – Jellyfish lake, manta rays, and whale sharks!

Can you scuba dive in Indonesia?

Indonesia is an epicenter of biodiversity, hosting a greater variety of marine life than anywhere else on earth. With over 17,508 islands and situated in the heart of the coral triangle, Indonesia is a diver's paradise.

Is Bali or Thailand better for diving?

Whilst both Bali and Thailand have plenty to offer those who enjoy the underwater world. But the geographic location of Bali, inside the so-called Coral Triangle, means it can offer a more diverse underwater experience than Thailand. Thailand has some excellent diving and snorkeling, most notably along its west coast.

Do you need a wetsuit to dive in Costa Rica?

Costa Rican sea temperature ranges from 21 to 29 oC (70 to 85 oF): a 2-3 mm (1/8") wetsuit is may be sufficient for the hardy but at least a 5 mm is needed in the cooler temperatures for thinner divers. The dry season runs from November to May but can be very windy.

How warm is the water in Costa Rica for scuba?

costa rica scuba Diving Conditions

Water temperature: Pacific Coast and Caribbean 78-85°F (26-29°C), Cocos 78-82°F (26-27°F) wet season, 70°F (21°C) dry season. Can drop to low 60s (15°C) at depth.

How do you avoid stingrays in Costa Rica?

Stingrays. Stingrays are very common in Costa Rica. These relatives of the shark are graceful and harmless unless you accidentally step on one. The best way to avoid this unfortunate and very painful accident is to shuffle your feet when you are walking in the shallows.

Are there poisonous jellyfish in Costa Rica?

In a word, yes. The coast from Dominical down to Bahia Ballena is part of the eastern Pacific tropics, a lush region that is home to many exotic species of animal life, some of which can cause you pain if you're not careful. The two to be most cautious of are stringrays and jellyfish.