Diving at Catalina Islands

The Catalina Islands, located in the Pacific Northwest of Costa Rica, is an archipelago of about 20 rock outcrops which are located about 30 km/20 miles south of Playas del Coco.
The trip usually lasts less than an hour, always depending on ocean conditions and the boat used.

It is important to note that a certain level of experience is needed to dive the Catalina Islands due to the occasional presence of waves, strong currents and rough surface conditions. Further dives are not anchored and often reach maximum depths up to 35 meters (130 feet).

The topography is characterized by steep slopes or walls to reach deep depths. Because of these conditions, it is more common to find sea fans and soft corals than diving elsewhere. Moreover, in the Catalinas can find large schools of fish such as mackerel, including devil rays and golden rays. The white tip reef shark is common in any of the dive sites. This location also offers the opportunity to swim with giant manta rays that measure from 6 to 12 feet wide (2 to 4 meters) which visit the area during the months of November to May.

The relative distance from the coast ensures good visibility throughout the year, which is usually better than near the coast, reaching an average of 15-65 feet (5-20 meters).

 

DISTANCE FROM THE SHORE 20 miles south from Coco Beach
VISIBILITY From 35 to 90 feet
MAX DEPTH From 40 to 130 feet
TEMPERATURE Around 70ºF
CURRENTS Common presence of strong currents and waves.
BOTTOM TYPE Rock bottom with pinnacles and walls with deep slope.
COMMON SPECIES White tip sharks, Sea Fans, soft corals, schools of jacks, Eagle rays, snapers, puffer fishes, angel fish, butterfly fish, morey eels, octopy, sea turtles, lobsters
BEST SEASSON All year. Mantas season from December to May .

 

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