South Caribbean Dive Sites

Snorkel and dive among reef gardens flourishing with life. Fire, elkhorn, brain and 32 other species of coral act as nurseries for tropical minnow and other local marine wildlife. Octopi squeeze into holes and camouflage themselves with the coral while lionfish swim idly in a shady crevice. Nurse sharks and rays swim across the nearby sandy sea bottoms while giant lobsters scuttle under the cover of rock formations. This is the southern Caribbean where you'll find Costa Rican's two living reefs. Running along the coastline from Cahuita down to Manzanillo, the south Caribbean's ecosystem contains an impressive display of the diversity of marine life with 400 species of fish, 11 types of sponge and 27 varieties of algae. Angelfish, parrotfish, anemones, crabs, starfish, sea fans and sea cucumbers are frequently encountered, along with sea turtles and Atlantic tarpon. Consistently warm waters and very little surge make underwater exploration a pleasure. The best times to dive are March through May and September to October when the weather is the driest and the visibility can reach as much as 100 feet.

Last updated: Oct 19, 2023