How to Plan the Perfect Scuba Diving Vacation in Costa Rica
- Marco Rossi
- Jun 23
- 6 min read
If you’re dreaming of diving Costa Rica, you’re in for a wild, unforgettable ride. Picture this: warm Pacific waters, manta rays gliding past volcanic rock formations, private dive boats, and surface intervals with fresh tropical fruit and panoramic views.
At Uncharted Diving Expeditions, we specialize in private scuba diving trips in Costa Rica, built for divers who value safety, service, and real adventure. Whether you’re traveling solo or with your crew, here’s how to plan the kind of Costa Rica diving trip that you’ll remember forever.
Start with the Right Coast for Diving in Costa Rica
Pacific vs. Caribbean: What’s Better for Diving?
Let’s cut to it, the best diving in Costa Rica happens on the Pacific Coast. If you’re after marine biodiversity, dramatic underwater landscapes, and big pelagic action, this is where you want to be.
We’ve guided divers from all over the world—Canada, Europe, the U.S.—and many have said their dives here were some of the best in all of Central America.
Top Diving Destinations on the Pacific Coast
Catalina Islands: Home turf. Known for giant mantas, rays, reef sharks, and schooling fish.
Bat Islands: For advanced divers seeking bull sharks and adrenaline.
Coco Beach: Ideal for relaxed dives with rich marine life.
Cocos Islands: One of the top 5 diving destinations in Costa Rica.
Caño Island: The best option to dive on the Southern Pacific.
In this guide, we’ll focus on the best dive spots in northern Costa Rica, including Flamingo, Tamarindo, and the Catalina and Bat Islands, and how to plan your trip right from the start.
When to Go Diving in Costa Rica
One of the perks of scuba diving in Costa Rica is that you can do it all year long. But depending on what you’re looking for, timing your trip can make all the difference.
Dry Season (Late December to March): Cool Water, Big Encounters
This is the time of year when the skies are blue, the roads are dry, and Costa Rica is buzzing with energy. Underwater, cooler water temperatures and strong seasonal winds create a natural phenomenon called upwelling—deep, nutrient-rich water gets pushed to the surface.
The result? huge marine life activity. All those nutrients attract plankton, which in turn attracts one of the ocean’s most graceful giants: the Pacific giant manta ray.
From January through March, manta encounters are at their peak, especially around the Catalina Islands. We’ve had days where divers see multiple mantas circling cleaning stations or cruising overhead like UFOs.
Pro Tip: Water temps can drop to 20–22°C (68–72°F), so bring a 3mm wetsuit or even a hooded vest for comfort. Visibility might not be perfect, but the action is nonstop.
Green Season (May–November)
This time of year brings fewer crowds, warmer water, and rich marine life activity—a great time to go diving in Costa Rica. Visibility often improves once the dry-season winds die down, and the famous Murciélago Islands open for bull shark season.
One thing to keep in mind? Ocean swells are more common this time of year due to storms far to the south. Even on sunny days, you might feel the boat rock a bit more on the way to the dive site. It’s nothing too extreme, but if you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking Dramamine (or your preferred anti-nausea remedy) about 30 minutes before boarding.
Pro Tip: Ginger chews, hydration, and staying above deck during the ride also help if you’re sensitive to motion.
Whale Watching in Costa Rica: Two Seasons, Double the Magic
One of the coolest things about diving Costa Rica? You might catch a humpback whale on your way to or from the dive site — and we’re lucky enough to have two migration seasons every year.
Northern Hemisphere Whales
Season: December to March
Where: North Pacific Coast (Flamingo, Tamarindo, Gulf of Papagayo)
These whales migrate from Alaska and California to give birth in Costa Rica’s warm waters. This often overlaps with manta season, so you can have incredible surface and underwater sightings in one trip.
Southern Hemisphere Whales (Most Active in the Catalinas)
Season: July to October
These whales migrate from Antarctica and southern South America, arriving in large numbers to Costa Rica’s warm Pacific waters.
In our experience, this is the most active and consistent whale season around the Catalina Islands. We've had trips where whales breached right next to the boat or surfaced during our surface interval—absolutely unforgettable.
Why Private Diving Makes All the Difference
We’ll be real—Costa Rica diving tours vary a lot in quality. Large group trips often mean rushed dives, crowded boats, and one-size-fits-all plans.
That’s why we focus on private trips.
What Private Diving in Costa Rica Offers:
Flexibility: Choose your schedule and dive sites.
Comfort: Even on shared boats, a private guide offer a more personalized service during the tour. With no other divers in your group you can dive on your terms.
Customization: We tailor every dive to your skill level and goals.
We once took a group of European divers on a custom three-day tour across multiple sites. On day two, a pod of dolphins swam alongside us between dives—it was magic. That kind of personalized experience just doesn’t happen on crowded group tours.
Planning the Rest of Your Trip
Where to Fly for the Best Diving in Costa Rica
Liberia (LIR): Closest airport to the top Pacific dive sites like Flamingo, Tamarindo, and Playas del Coco.
San José (SJO): Useful for southern dive areas, but involves more travel.
Where to Stay
Flamingo: Quiet, upscale, close to Catalina Islands.
Tamarindo: Vibrant, surfer town with great food and nightlife.
Coco: Chill dive hub with lots of options for budget or comfort.
We can also help you book accommodations close to the action. After all, diving Costa Rica is better when your hotel is just minutes from the boat.
What Diving Conditions to Expect
One thing that surprises many first-time visitors is that Costa Rica diving conditions can vary depending on the site and season.
Visibility: Ranges from 5 to 25 meters, depending on weather and location. Lower vis during our dry season.
Currents: Some sites are calm, others have strong drift. Swells are common during the green season along with mild surge
Water Temps: Usually 26–29°C (75–84°F), cooler in deeper areas and during our dry season
Expect to see reef sharks, rays, eels, turtles, giant puffers, and during migration seasons, even humpback whales from the surface.
Final Thoughts on Diving Costa Rica the Right Way
We’ve been diving Costa Rica for years—and it keeps surprising us.
Every dive site has a story. Every diver who joins us brings a new energy. And every trip reminds us why we fell in love with this place in the first place.
If you're planning a dive trip to Costa Rica and want more than just another “tour,” give us a shout. We’ll help you build a custom dive vacation that fits you, your experience level, and your goals.
Diving Costa Rica should feel like a once-in-a-lifetime trip—every single time. Let’s make it happen.
Need Help With the Rest of Your Trip? We’ve Got You Covered
Planning a scuba diving vacation in Costa Rica goes beyond just picking dive sites — and we’re here to help with everything else, too.
We’ve built strong connections in the area over the years, and we’re happy to assist with:
Rental Cars & Transfers
Whether you want the freedom of the open road or prefer to sit back and enjoy the ride, we’ll help arrange trusted local rentals or comfortable private shuttles to get you where you need to go — including airport pickups from Liberia (LIR) or San José (SJO).
Accommodations
We know the best places to stay near the dive action — from ocean-view villas to affordable boutique hotels. Just tell us your travel style and we’ll match you with the right fit.
Sportfishing tours
Want to swap your fins for a rod? We partner with some of the top sportfishing charters in the Flamingo and Tamarindo area. Whether you’re after mahi-mahi, sailfish, or just a great day on the water, we’ll set it up.
Just let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll take care of the details — so you can focus on enjoying every minute of your Costa Rica diving adventure.
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