Top Scuba Diving Spots in
Explore the top dive sites in Costa Rica with the team that’s been doing it since 1970.
When people ask us, “Where’s the best place to dive in Costa Rica?” — the honest answer is: it depends. Every dive is different. It’s about the visibility, the season, the wildlife, the conditions, and the people you dive with. At Bill Beard’s, we believe the best dive site is your next one. Let us help you discover Costa Rica like you’ve never dived there before.
Northwest Pacific Dive Sites:
The most popular area in Costa Rica for mainland diving. Most of the all inclusive beach resorts and other hotels we use are within 30 minutes of Liberia International Airport (LIR).
This is where you go to dive the Gulf Of Papagayo and the famous Bat & Catalina Islands from Playa Hermosa, Four Seasons, Villas Sol, Bosque Del Mar, Andaz, Mangroove, Flamingo, Tamarindo AND MORE.
Gulf of Papagayo
Overview:
Costa Rica’s top dive zone — easy to reach, diveable year-round, and packed with marine life. Perfect for first-timers and seasoned divers alike.
Top Marine Life:
Eagle rays, sea turtles, octopus, frogfish, seahorses, harlequin shrimp, nudibranchs, and large schools of jacks, grunts, and snapper. Schools of white-tipped reef sharks are often seen taking a siesta on the sandy bottom.
Best Time to Dive:
Year-round access. Best visibility and calm conditions from December to May.
Experience Level:
Beginner to Advanced. Multi-level dive sites ideal for mixed groups and new certifications.
Type of Diving:
Volcanic pinnacles, reef slopes, easy navigation, macro hotspots.
Access & Logistics:
Launch from Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Flamingo or Tamarindo. Boat rides: 10–20 minutes.
Insider Tip: This is the best place to learn or refresh your skills — and macro photographers love the detail here.
Top Diving Tours in Gulf of Papagayo
From: $190
2 Tank Dive – Dreams Las Mareas
We will meet you at the beach to head out to one of many dive sites in the Jobo area.
From: $85
2 Tank Dive – Papagayo Area
The Papagayo area has over 20 local dive sites all within about 10 to 20 minutes from shore.
From: $95
Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling
Sail along Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline on this Catamaran Snorkeling and Sailing Tour
Top Diving Packages in Gulf of Papagayo
From: $1326
Dive Costa Rica – Beach & Volcano Loop Package
Get to know the beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica by land and sea on this great combo package
From: $2405
Enchanting Costa Rica – Coast to Coast: Rainforests to Beaches
This 12-day journey takes you from lush rainforests to pristine beaches, blending adventure, nature, and relaxation
From: $1623
Experience Costa Rica Scuba Diving Package
Enjoy an unforgettable adventure featuring stunning landscapes, thrilling activities, and vibrant wildlife
Catalina Islands
Overview:
This archipelago of rocky islets is famous for manta ray encounters and clean-water pelagic dives.
Top Marine Life:
Giant Pacific manta rays, reef sharks, devil rays, mobulas, sea turtles, octopus, moray eels, and the occasional whale shark.
Best Time to Dive:
November to April for peak manta season. Diveable year-round.
Experience Level:
Intermediate. Some sites require buoyancy control and comfort with mild current.
Type of Diving:
Boats depart from Coco, Hermosa, and Flamingo. Travel time: 30–45 minutes.
Access & Logistics:
Launch from Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Flamingo or Tamarindo. Boat rides: 10–20 minutes.
Insider Tip: Stay midwater — mantas cruise by slowly when cleaning.
Top Diving Tours in Catalina Islands
From: $150
2 Tank Dive – Catalina Islands
This archipelago of around 20 small islands offers diving adventures with encounters with a variety of marine animals.
From: $130
2 Tank Dive – Tamarindo
Scuba Divers diving from Tamarindo will enjoy exploring the underwater volcanic pinnacles.
From: $95
2 Tank Dive – Flamingo, Conchal
Scuba Divers diving from Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo or the Gulf of Papagayo will get the chancec to dive at Catalina Island.
Top Diving Packages in Catalina Islands
From: $1623
Experience Costa Rica Scuba Diving Package
Enjoy an unforgettable adventure featuring stunning landscapes, thrilling activities, and vibrant wildlife
From: $1326
Dive Costa Rica – Beach & Volcano Loop Package
Get to know the beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica by land and sea on this great combo package
From: $1388
Discover Scuba Beach & Volcano Combo
This week long adventure in Costa Rica will inspire families and create fun and memories that last!
Bat Islands
Overview:
Costa Rica’s most adrenaline-fueled dive site, located inside Santa Rosa National Park. Not for the faint of heart.
Top Marine Life:
Bull sharks (8–12 ft), eagle rays, barracuda, manta rays, schooling jacks, and possible whale shark sightings.
Best Time to Dive:
May to November, when crossing conditions are calmest.
Experience Level:
Advanced only. Strong currents, surge, and depth.
Type of Diving:
Deep ocean pinnacles, big animal encounters, limited visibility.
Access & Logistics:
Full-day boat trips from Playa Hermosa or Coco. Park fees and advance booking required.
Insider Tip: The Big Scare is legendary for a reason — come mentally prepared, not just certified.
Top Diving Tours in Bat Islands
From: $165
2 Tank Dive – Bat Islands
Explore the depths alongside bull sharks and vibrant schools of fish in one of Costa Rica’s premier dive destinations
From: $95
Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling
Sail along Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline on this Catamaran Snorkeling and Sailing Tour
From: $95
2 Tank Dive – Flamingo, Conchal
Scuba Divers diving from Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo or the Gulf of Papagayo will get the chancec to dive at Catalina Island.
Top Diving Packages in Bat Islands
From: $1326
Dive Costa Rica – Beach & Volcano Loop Package
Get to know the beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica by land and sea on this great combo package
From: $1623
Experience Costa Rica Scuba Diving Package
Enjoy an unforgettable adventure featuring stunning landscapes, thrilling activities, and vibrant wildlife
From: $1388
Discover Scuba Beach & Volcano Combo
This week long adventure in Costa Rica will inspire families and create fun and memories that last!
Central Pacific Dive Sites:
Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. This beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent too.
Manuel Antonio National Park is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. And the trail that winds around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The park is easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants.
Manuel Antonio
Overview:
Rainforest meets reef at this scenic, accessible dive region. Great for pairing wildlife tours with underwater time.
Top Marine Life:
Turtles, reef sharks, octopus, seahorses, puffers, lobsters, and eels.
Best Time to Dive:
December to May for best surface and visibility conditions.
Experience Level:
Beginner to Intermediate.
Type of Diving:
Rocky reefs, caverns, volcanic structures.
Access & Logistics:
Boat launches from Quepos Marina. Dive sites within 15–20 minutes.
Insider Tip: Pair it with a morning visit to Manuel Antonio National Park for sloths and monkeys.
Herradura
Overview:
A laid-back beach town with surprisingly rich dive sites — including manta ray cleaning stations.
Top Marine Life:
Reef fish, moray eels, turtles, reef sharks, rays, and giant mantas from January to March.
Best Time to Dive:
December to May is peak season for clarity and mantas.
Experience Level:
Beginner to Intermediate.
Type of Diving:
Shallow reefs, pinnacles, and cleaning stations.
Access & Logistics:
Short 10-minute boat rides from the Herradura marina.
Insider Tip: If you’re in Jaco or Los Sueños, this is the best local option with surprisingly good marine activity.
Tortuga Island
Overview:
A scenic day trip that combines diving with beach time and snorkeling. Great for beginners or relaxing between more intense dives.
Top Marine Life:
Parrotfish, angelfish, stingrays, turtles, eels, scorpionfish. Some small wrecks.
Best Time to Dive:
December to April.
Experience Level:
Beginner.
Type of Diving:
Shallow reefs, easy navigation, calm conditions.
Access & Logistics:
Full-day trips by boat from Puntarenas. Includes lunch, beach stop, and dive/snorkel combo.
Insider Tip: Best for families or mixed groups with divers and non-divers.
South Pacific Dive Sites:
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced diver, or just snorkeling, the variety of rich and abundant marine life will amaze you. With visibility 30 – 100 ft. or more year-round, and teeming with exotic sea life, diving.
Cano Island is located 12 miles offshore from Drake’s Bay and Aguila de Osa. Our choice for combination scuba diving and Corcovado adventure. Due to the remote location it is difficult to go to Cano Island just for one day of diving and you are better off to book Bill Beard’s Cano Island and Corcovado National Park adventure package.
You can go in one day from Manuel Antonio by boat, it is 4 hours and it requires reservations and a minimum number of divers way in advance.
Caño Island Biological Reserve
Overview:
A pristine, protected marine reserve off the Osa Peninsula. Caño is all about biodiversity and big schools of fish.
Top Marine Life:
White-tip reef sharks, mobula rays, turtles, snapper, grunts, angelfish, dolphins, humpback whales (seasonal), whale sharks (occasionally).
Best Time to Dive:
Year-round. December to April offers calmer surface conditions.
Experience Level:
Beginner to Intermediate (some deeper sites like Bajo del Diablo are more advanced).
Type of Diving:
Volcanic rock structures, reef walls, pinnacles, open-water sites.
Access & Logistics:
Launch from Drake Bay. Multi-dive day trips or combo tours with Corcovado. Permits required.
Insider Tip: Combine with a land excursion to Corcovado National Park for a full nature immersion.
Cocos Island Costa Rica:
Located in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, 300 miles southwest of Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica, lies the renowned Cocos Island Marine Park. A rugged yet incredibly verdant island, this World Heritage Site is the spectacularly beautiful crown jewel of Costa Rica’s many National Parks. In 1994, after several return visits to the island, Jacques Cousteau pronounced Cocos, “The most beautiful island in the world.”
There are only two bays with safe anchorages and sandy beaches: Chatham is located on the northeast side and Wafer Bay is on the northwest. Just off Cocos are a series of smaller basaltic rocks and islets. The largest satellite is Isla Manuelita (formerly Nuez).
Thanks to the breathtaking marine life in its waters, Cocos Island was named one of the ten best scuba diving spots in the world by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and a “must do” according to diving experts.
Cocos Island (Liveaboard Only)
Overview:
A remote liveaboard-only destination — consistently ranked one of the world’s best dive sites. Think “schooling hammerheads” and you’re in the right place.
Top Marine Life:
Hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, whale sharks, tiger sharks, manta rays, marble rays, sailfish, tuna, and 27+ endemic species.
Best Time to Dive:
June to November for peak pelagic activity and cooler nutrient-rich water.
Experience Level:
Advanced. Strong currents, deep sites, multiple dives per day.
Type of Diving:
Bluewater pinnacles, drop-offs, strong upwellings, large marine aggregations.
Access & Logistics:
8–10 day liveaboard trips. Depart from Puntarenas. Crossing: ~36 hours each way.
Insider Tip: This is not a luxury vacation — it’s a hardcore dive expedition. Bring your own gear, extra layers, and your best camera.
Start Your Diving Vacation with Bill Beard’s Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a diver’s paradise, offering a variety of marine life and stunning underwater landscapes. When you book our scuba diving packages, you engage with expert guides and instructors dedicated to your safety and enjoyment.