Dive Site: Los Sombreros

About Los Sombreros

Los Sombreros, named for its two small islets resembling Mexican hats, offers a boat dive experience in the Catalina Islands suitable for mixed-experience groups. This site features shallow sandy areas alongside deeper, wall-like drop-offs, allowing for flexible dive planning where beginners can stay in calmer, shallower waters while experienced divers explore the deeper rock and canyon edges. The topography transitions from coral-dominated reef with scattered coral heads to a rapid drop-off on the northern side. Depths range significantly, providing varied environments from 8 meters in the shallows to around 25 meters deeper, with walls extending further. Sandy patches are interspersed between coral formations, and occasional swim-throughs can be found along the reef crest. The site boasts exceptional aquatic life, including regular sightings of eagle rays, stingrays, and whitetip reef sharks. Seasonal activity can bring an even wider array of pelagic species. Visibility is often clear, enhancing the view of the vibrant reef fish and larger marine encounters. Diving here requires boat access and is best undertaken with a local operator who can tailor the route to the group's skill level and desired experience. Conditions are generally moderate, but planning around local currents and tides is essential for a safe and enjoyable dive.

Dive site facts: Los Sombreros

Depth

8–25 m

Current

Moderate

Visibility

30 m

Water temperature

21–29 °C (70–85 °F)

Entry

Boat

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Reef, Drift

Region / port

Catalina Islands

Coordinates

7.8434° N, 86.2752° W

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Los Sombreros are generally moderate, with steady currents possible on certain passes, adding to the drift potential. The site can experience shifting currents, which contribute to the richness of marine life but require divers to be attentive to buoyancy and positioning. Entry is typically simple, often a boat entry, allowing divers to descend directly into the calmer areas or drift along with the current. While the north side drops rapidly into deeper water, divers should plan their depth profiles carefully to manage bottom time and gas consumption, especially in stronger currents. Visibility is often clear, around 30 meters, though thermoclines can occur at deeper sites during the dry season. The presence of currents means this site is best suited for divers comfortable with drift diving techniques.

Marine life & sighting chances

Eagle Ray

year-round · common

Hawksbill Turtle

year-round · common

Humpback Whale

seasonal · occasional

Scalloped Hammerhead

occasional

Snapper

year-round · common

Stingray

year-round · common

Whitetip Reef Shark

year-round · common

Moray Eel

year-round · common

Harlequin Shrimp

year-round · occasional

Nudibranch

year-round · occasional

Manta Ray

November-May · common

Damselfish

year-round · common

Parrotfish

year-round · common

Angelfish

year-round · common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Los Sombreros typically begin with a boat entry, allowing for flexibility in choosing either the shallower or deeper sections of the site. Beginners can start on the side with depths around 8-13 meters, exploring sandy sections and coral formations. More experienced divers can head towards the northern side, where the reef drops quickly to about 25 meters, offering opportunities for wall diving along rock and canyon edges. The route is often a drift, guided by local operators who adapt to currents and group experience. The flexible nature of the site means there isn't one fixed turn point; rather, divers explore a chosen section before gradually ascending. Safety stops can be conducted in the calmer, shallower areas, typically at 5 meters, before resurfacing for boat pickup.

Underwater photography

Los Sombreros offers diverse photographic opportunities, from wide-angle shots of schooling pelagics and dramatic volcanic rock formations to macro subjects in the reef crevices. For capturing the expansive reef and larger marine life like manta rays or sharks, a wide-angle lens is recommended. Conversely, a macro lens will reveal the smaller inhabitants, such as harlequin shrimp and nudibranchs, found among the corals and rocks. Given the often clear visibility, natural light can be sufficient in shallower sections, but strobes are beneficial for color rendition and illuminating subjects in deeper or shaded areas. Divers should practice excellent buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the delicate coral environment and approach marine life slowly and respectfully for the best shots.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Cuatro Piedras

  Located 1.5 km away, with depths from 7 to 28 meters.

• Clasico

  Found 2.2 km away, featuring a series of ripraps with varied depths.

• South Point shallow

  Situated 1.9 km from Los Sombreros, offering a boat dive experience.

• Punta Catalina

  An access point 1.9 km away, known for winter manta encounters.

• Arco Iris

  6.7 km away, noted for abundant white-tip reef sharks.

• Escorpiones

  Featuring a shallow ledge with depths from 10 to 20 meters, housing various small critters and larger marine life like sharks and rays.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Los Sombreros is exclusively by boat, typically as part of a day trip or liveaboard itinerary from towns in the Guanacaste province like Tamarindo or Flamingo. The nearest international airport is Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, which serves as a common entry point for divers visiting the Catalina Islands. Dive operations usually include transfers to the boat departure points. A local operator is essential for navigating the site effectively, as route choice and launch point are critical for matching the dive to the group's experience and prevailing conditions. No special permits are identified for diving here, but adherence to local briefings and environmental guidelines is expected. Trips often combine Los Sombreros with other Catalina Islands sites, offering varied diving experiences over a full day.

Safety & environment

Diving at Los Sombreros requires careful planning, especially when exploring the deeper northern side where the depth drops rapidly. Divers must monitor their depth and gas consumption closely to avoid decompression illness. While specific details about the nearest recompression chamber are not provided in sources, emergency medical care in Costa Rica is generally of a high standard, though access can be remote depending on the exact location in the Catalina Islands. Divers should always have comprehensive travel and dive insurance that covers potential medical evacuation. Strong currents can be present, necessitating good buoyancy control and experience with drift diving. It is crucial to dive with a reputable local operator who can provide accurate site briefings, monitor conditions, and guide the dive safely.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Los Sombreros FAQ

Liveaboards diving Los Sombreros

These liveaboards may visit Los Sombreros on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Cocos Aggressor

Costa Rica

22 guests37.8 m

$477/day

Sea Hunter

Costa Rica

20 guests

$690/day

Okeanos Aggressor II

Costa Rica

24 guests36.6 m

$582/day