|
The
Pacific has the country's best scuaba diving
vacations sites, with less coral, but plenty
of big fish. The most popular Pacific scuba
diving area is the northwest, where diving
centers in El Coco, Ocotal and Hermosa Beaches
offer trips to several spots at Culebra
Bay and Murcielago Islands, to the northwest,
where scuba divers often see sharks and
manta rays. Flamingo’s diving center
usually takes people to Santa Catalina Island,
about five miles off shore, which is another
good spot to see sharks and other big fishes.
The best visibility and water temperatures
given in the northwest are from June thru
September, though the conditions can change
from day to day.
There are good chances of snorkeling at
the Curu National Wildlife Refuge, and near
the Tambor and Montezuma beach resorts.
There usually are also good chances of snorkeling
off the second beach in Manuel Antonio National
Park, and around the points and islands
between Dominical and Ballena Marine National
Park. However, the best diving off the Pacific
coast is found at several underwater reefs
near Caño Island, which can be explored
through diving trips offered by some of
the lodges nearby Drake Bay. Contrary to
the conditions given in the northwest, the
best visibility in the waters around Caño
Island occurs during the dry season, though
the water tends to be pretty clear year
round.
Scuaba Diving Vacations Safaris Costa Rica,
located in the northwest pacific coast of
Costa Rica in the Gulf of Papagayo, is surrounded
by an abundance of scuba diving sites, most
of which are accessible within a thirty
minute boat ride. Our local dive sites offer
white tip reef sharks, giant schools of
grunt, yellowtails, spotted eagle rays,
turtles, stingrays, angel fish, octopus,
sea horses, starfish, frog fish and many
species of eels. We have also seen whale
sharks up to 35 feet long on numerous occasions,
as well as, spinner dolphin, humpback whales,
pilot whales, orcas, false killer whales
and schools containing hundreds of Mobulas
and thousands of cow-nosed rays.
Average
visibility ranges from 30 ft. to 50 ft.
with possibilities of up to 80 ft. We dive
volcanic rock formations and rock pinnacles.
There is very little hard coral, but we
do have black coral, soft coral and orange
cup coral that opens up at night. There
is an abundance of life among the rocks
which can be seen on both day and night
dives.
Night
dives are consistently a favorite. We begin
the dive with a relaxing ride during which
you will experience a sunset unlike any
other. The dive itself offers you the chance
to explore the micro life, along with very
large puffer fish, nudibranchs, gigantic
slumbering parrot fish, lobster, tube worms
and sea horses. In addition to the marine
life we take the opportunity to extinguish
our lights and play by the light of the
phosphorous, which can create quite a light
show. The cup coral, open at night is stupendous.
Also
offered are long-range dive trips to both
the Catalina and Bat Islands. The best months
for diving the Catalina Islands are December
through April, where schools of Manta rays
with wing spans from 14 ft. to 20 ft. have
been seen along with numerous white tip
sharks and occasional bull or tiger shark.
This site is also known for the large schools
of mobula rays and cow-nosed rays. The Catalina
Islands are considered a slightly more advanced
dive due to stronger currents and surge.
The
relaxing cruise to the Bat Islands is a
worthwhile trip year round, weather permitting.
However, March through November are the
optimum months for this long range trip.
Here you might see the impressive 8 to 14
foot Bull sharks, schools of cow-nosed rays,
eagle rays, and an occasional Manta ray,
along with the ever present varieties of
larger schooling fish: rainbow runners,
horse-eye jacks, spade fish, pompano, snapper
and wahoo. This is a challenging dive, but
well worth the extra effort.
Some
additional information you might find useful.
Water temperature from mid-May to mid-December
is generally from 75°-78° at depth
and a polartec or 3MM suit are usually sufficient.
From mid-December to mid-April, water temperatures
vary from day to day, with thermoclines
causing temperatures to dip to 70° at
depth so you will want to bring a full 3MM
suit during this period (5 MM if you are
easily chilled). The outside temperature
at the beaches is 85° to 90° year
round. The rainy season runs from May to
November, with these months providing some
of our best diving. Since we are located
in a protected Gulf and do not have rivers
draining into our water and visibility is
not adversely affected by the rain. In fact,
visibility is often enhanced as the rain
settles the plankton and rich nutrients
that are abundant in Costa Rica.
NEW:
Combination scuaba diving vacations / fishing,
Catalina & Bat Islands (2 and 3 tank
dives) can be pre-booked in conjunction
with any hotel/dive package.
NOTE:
Scuaba Diving Vaactions Safaris is a PADI
Resort, NAUI Platium Pro Dive Center, a
member of Padi Travel network and teaches
PADI, NAUI, NASE, IANTD NITROX and certification
courses for all agencies. We are located
in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.
Combine
scuba diving and adventure tours for the
best of Costa Rica.
|
