Dive Sites in Costa Rica
38 dive sites25 liveaboard-only sites

Dive Sites in Costa Rica

Diving in Costa Rica means non-stop shark action and big pelagics in blue water — from Cocos Island to Bat Islands. Every dive site in Costa Rica with depth, current, certification level and best season, plus the liveaboard itineraries that actually dive them.

Diving in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the world's great liveaboard destinations, with 38 mapped dive sites covering reefs, walls, drifts, channels and wrecks.

Every site below shows depth range, certification level, current, access and the best season, so you can judge at a glance whether it fits your experience. Start with the full site list, then explore dive sites by type, the nearest decompression chambers and the marine life you can expect in Costa Rica.

All 38 dive sites in Costa Rica

All 38 dive sites in Costa Rica

Depth range, certification level, dive type, access and current at a glance.

Open any site for its full profile, best season and the liveaboards that dive it in Costa Rica.

38 dive sites

© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Silverado

Costa Rica

Silverado is a renowned dive site located within the extraordinary marine ecosystem of Cocos Island, approximately 500 kilometers southwest of mainland Costa Rica.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
15–40 m
Theme
Seamount
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Bajo del Diablo

Costa Rica

Bajo del Diablo, also known as Devil’s Pinnacle, is widely regarded as one of the premier dive sites within Costa Rica's Caño Island Biological Reserve.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
10–20 m
Theme
Pinnacle
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Manuelita

Costa Rica

Manuelita is a renowned dive site located off Cocos Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated approximately 500 km off Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
5–40 m
Theme
Wall
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Dos Amigos

Costa Rica

Big Dos Amigos is one of the premier dive sites located on the southern side of Cocos Island, approximately 342 miles off Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
18–40 m
Theme
Pinnacle

Dive sites by type

Wrecks, walls, drifts, caves and pinnacles in this area.
Reef diving21 dive sites
Reef diving
Pinnacle diving15 dive sites
Pinnacle diving
Wall diving9 dive sites
Wall diving
Seamount diving5 dive sites
Seamount diving
Drift diving4 dive sites
Drift diving
Cave diving1 dive sites
Cave diving

Decompression chambers in Costa Rica

Verified hyperbaric facilities that cover the diving areas of in Costa Rica. Always confirm availability locally before a trip and dive with valid insurance.

LocationFacilityRelevant for
San JoséHospital CIMA San José, hyperbaric chamber therapy unitPacific coast diving and Cocos Island evacuations (no chamber on Cocos)

Marine life you can see in Costa Rica

The species most often logged on Costa Rica's dive sites.
7 dive sites
Eagle Ray
5 dive sites
Bottlenose Dolphin
5 dive sites
Barracuda
4 dive sites
Caribbean Spiny Lobster
2 dive sites
Coral
2 dive sites
Angelfish
2 dive sites
Blue Shark
2 dive sites
Butterflyfish
2 dive sites
Humpback Whale
1 dive sites
Bull Shark
1 dive sites
Frogfish
1 dive sites
Green Turtle

Liveaboards diving in Costa Rica

Liveaboard diving in Costa Rica means more dive sites per trip: these vessels run real, bookable departures with cabins for solo divers, buddy teams and small groups. Compare boat size, cabin layout, dive deck and nitrox, then check the cheapest price per day before you book. Every Costa Rica dive safari below is confirmed with live availability and current operator pricing.

Cocos Aggressor liveaboard diving in Costa Rica – view trips, cabins and prices

Cocos Aggressor

Costa Rica

$636
Sea Hunter liveaboard diving in Costa Rica – view trips, cabins and prices

Sea Hunter

Costa Rica

$690
Okeanos Aggressor II liveaboard diving in Costa Rica – view trips, cabins and prices

Okeanos Aggressor II

Costa Rica

$504

Conditions & practicalities

Diving in Costa Rica: seasons, conditions and logistics

38 dive sites in Costa Rica — here is what the season data says about the best months, water temperature, visibility and currents, plus how divers usually get there and which fees to budget for.

Best months
Jun–Dec
Water temperature
24–28 °C
Visibility
15–30 m
Currents
Moderate — Expect noticeable water movement on channels, pinnacles and outer reefs. Drift technique, an SMB and a guided descent turn these into easy, relaxed dives.
Getting there
Most divers fly into the nearest international airport and continue by transfer or domestic flight to the departure port; liveaboards usually leave the evening before day one.
Permits & fees
Marine park fees, port taxes and nitrox are rarely included in the trip price — budget a few hundred dollars extra and check the visa rules before booking.

FAQ

Diving in Costa Rica FAQ

When is the best time to dive in Costa Rica?
Diving conditions in Costa Rica change throughout the year. Check our month-by-month best-time-to-dive guides to plan around peak visibility, weather and marine life encounters.
Do I need a liveaboard to dive in Costa Rica?
A liveaboard gives you access to remote dive sites in Costa Rica that day boats cannot reach, plus 3–5 dives per day in maximum comfort. For the best dives in Costa Rica, a liveaboard is the recommended choice.
What certification do I need to dive in Costa Rica?
Most Costa Rica liveaboards require Open Water as a minimum, with Advanced Open Water and 30+ logged dives recommended for currents and deeper sites. Some expert routes require Tech or 100+ dives.
How much does a Costa Rica liveaboard cost?
Liveaboard prices in Costa Rica typically range from €1,500 to €6,000+ per week depending on vessel category, route length and season. Browse the boats below for live pricing.
Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?
Visa requirements vary by your nationality. Always check the latest entry rules with the destination's official government source before booking flights.
Is diving in Costa Rica safe for beginners?
Many Costa Rica sites are beginner-friendly, but some routes feature strong currents or deep walls suited only to experienced divers. Check each vessel's recommended experience level.
Plan your trip

Ready to dive in Costa Rica?

Explore the Costa Rica destination guide or search liveaboards that visit these sites.