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Bat Islands: Incredible Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Destination in Guanacaste

September 19, 2019 By Sammi 32 Comments

If you’re looking for an unforgettable and unique experience in Costa Rica, the Bat Islands (Islas Murciélagos) offers exactly that. This collection of islands in Santa Rosa National Park is a popular experienced scuba diving destination as it is home to an abundance of amazing marine wildlife but anyone can visit to see the islands and visit the national park.

We were lucky to visit these islands on a day trip from Playas del Coco and it was undoubtedly one of the most incredible things we’ve ever done in Costa Rica. Read more about it below!

Location

The Bat Islands are in Santa Rosa National Park in the Guanacaste province, up in the Northwest Pacific corner of Costa Rica.

About Santa Rosa National Park

Santa Rosa National Park is the first national park established in Costa Rica back in 1971, encompassing over 387 km2 (149 sq mi) or land and water. This national park is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area World Heritage Site and it protects a plethora of unique flora and fauna. There are land and marine sectors and the Bat Islands (Islas Murciélagos in Spanish) are one marine sector of Santa Rosa National Park.

One extra special thing about this national park is that even though it is open to the public, many tourists don’t visit due to the access and distance. The marine sector is by boat only and the land sector is difficult to get to by car as the infrastructure requires a strong 4×4 and is accessible only certain times of the year.

How To Get To Bat Islands Costa Rica

Like I mentioned earlier, the Bat Islands are boat access only and nearly everyone that goes visits as part of a scuba diving excursion. However, you do not have to be a scuba diver to visit! Anyone can visit the islands to enjoy a memorable day of boating, snorkeling and hiking. You just need to hire a captain who will boat out there and is familiar with those waters.

We visited the Bat Islands on a day excursion with our friend who has a private boating company in Playas del Coco. From Playas del Coco, the islands are 1.5 hours one way by boat. The only island with access is Isla San Jose with a ranger station, camping area, bathrooms and trail access.

National Park Fee

The Santa Rosa National Park fee is $15 USD per person, free for children under 9. The tour company should arrange the tickets for you.

Best Time to Visit

Due to weather conditions, the best (and only) time to visit the Bat Islands are during Costa Rica’s rainy season months, May – November. Scuba diving trips will run excursions during those months, some only until October. Although there is the possibility of rain, this is because of the wind. During the summer months of December – April, it gets incredibly windy and conditions are not suitable or safe for diving/snorkeling/hiking.

We visited end of August, August 20th to be exact. July would have been better because Costa Rica receives a “little summer” where it dries up but August was nice too. It rained a little bit in the morning and in the late afternoon but snorkeling conditions were wonderful and we got nice weather for the greater part of the day.

Camping

You can camp on the main island of Bat Islands for an extra $4 per person a day (according to the SINAC website). However, you do need to hire a boat who will arrange the entrance and camping fees for you and you need to bring all your equipment on the boat. This can get costly since the boat has to either go back and forth from Coco or the boat captain has to stay on the island with you.

Video

We made a short video of our visit to Bat Islands which you can watch below. Below you can read our whole experience.

Bat Islands Costa Rica Excursion

For the Bat Islands excursion, we left Coco bright and early at 7 AM and got to the islands around 830 AM or so. We knew that it was a long boat ride to the islands so we wanted to get there as early as possible.

As we reached the Bat Islands, it started raining a little bit so we boated around the islands for about 1 hour until the rains left and winds died down. The wait was absolutely worth it because the skies cleared up, the sun came out and we got to see the stunning islands in their full beauty.

Bat Islands costa rica
Isla San Jose and the rest of the islands
Islas Murcielagos bat islands
Islas Murcielagos bat islands

As we approached the main island, I couldn’t get over just how beautiful the color of the water was! It was breathtaking when the sun came out and we could see the crystal clear turquoise waters. We couldn’t wait to get onto the island and explore, but first, we wanted to go snorkel and cool off in the water. I saw a turtle close by and couldn’t wait to jump in and snorkel!

Bat Islands water
Look at that water!
Isla San Jose Bat Islands
We’re the only ones at the Bat Islands Costa Rica!

I also couldn’t believe we were the ONLY ones on the island. The scuba divers stop at Isla San Jose for a little bit and dive nearby, mostly at one site called “Big Scare”. But that made our experience that much more special because we had the entire island to ourselves the whole day.

The only other people there were the two park rangers. One scuba diving boat stopped at the island for about 20 minutes and then left.

Snorkeling

We went snorkeling as soon as we got to the islands and had an amazing experience. We saw two turtles, a nurse shark, manta rays and huge fish (jacks I think). The nurse shark really freaked us out as we were not expecting to see one at all! It just swam past us so nonchalantly without a second glance at us. The turtles were the same, just nibbling on some sea grass, minding their own business as we watched them go about its day.

Bat Islands turtle
One of the turtles we saw

The water was so calm, warm and gentle and it was really nice to swim and snorkel around. Thanks to many years of government protection, a myriad of marine creatures call the Bat Islands home and is undoubtedly one of the best scuba diving and snorkel spots in Costa Rica.

The Trail

After we finished snorkeling, we walked up to the park ranger office to check in and say hi to the two guards who stay on the island full time. At the station, there are bathrooms and sinks and is also the start of the island trail.

For the trail, we walked it in flip flops but you need to be in decent shape and be able to walk up and down ungroomed steep paths and hills. The entire trail takes about 1 hour and goes throughout the island, starting from the guard station and ending at the beach. You get absolutely incredible views of the islands, mountains and ocean. I couldn’t stop taking photos and running around to every viewpoint, it was so unbelievably beautiful!

Bat Island trails
Yeison going up the beginning of the trail
Bat Islands trail
Yeison taking photos after climbing up the beginning of the trail. The island in the back is called Isla Cocinera
Bay Islands panorama
Panorama of Isla San Jose. That’s the ranger station, the beach where boats dock, and you have to walk up the hill behind the station to the trail
Walking on Isla San Jose Bat Islands
The trail on Isla San Jose
Bat Island Isla San Jose view
Ocean views! That is Isla Colorado in the distance
Bat Islands viewpoints
Enjoying the awesome views
Walking bat islands
View of us on Isla San Jose
Bat Islands Isla San Jose ocean
Enjoying the amazing ocean views!
Bat Islands Isla San Jose hill
I look so small!
Bat Islands views
Isla Cocinera and Santa Rosa National Park (land sector)
Bat Islands ranger station
Ranger station

After the hike, we went back to the boat to eat lunch and cool off. We watched the turtles swim around us and soaked in all the stunning views until it was time to go.

On the Way Back to Coco

We left Bat Islands around 3 PM as the sky was starting to turn dark and we wanted to get back to Coco before it started raining. Marcy took us along the coastline to check out Witch’s Rock and beaches in Santa Rosa National Park like Nancite and Naranjo. Nancite beach is one of the 2 beaches in Costa Rica that is home to the sea turtle “arribadas” or mass nestings. As we visited during sea turtle nesting season, we saw a bunch of turtles!

It started raining a bit past Witch’s Rock, one of the most famous surf spots in Costa Rica. The waves were not huge that day but they were organized and glassy, perfect for intermediate surfers. Thanks to the rain, we saw a rainbow over Witch’s Rock!

Bat Islands Witch's Rock
Witch’s Rock and a pretty rainbow!
Witchs Rock Santa Rosa National Park
Witch’s Rock from the side look like a lion

As we boated past Witch’s Rock, we got a really nice surprise. We were really hoping to see some humpback whales as it was whale season in Costa Rica. All of a sudden, Marcy started pointing to something in front of us and we saw a large fin dip into the water. It was a mom and baby humpback whale! They swam all the way over to where we were and we watched them for about 30 minutes just swimming around. So amazing to see!

bat islands humpback whale witchs rock
Humpback whale by Witch’s Rock in Santa Rosa National Park

Overall Experience at Bat Islands Costa Rica

Our trip to the Bat Islands (Islas Murciélagos) was hands down, one of the best things we’ve ever done in Costa Rica. The combination of gorgeous views, great snorkeling, wildlife, empty beaches and breathtaking mountains made it one of the most perfect days ever, even with some rain. It was undeniably worth every penny and waking up at 5 AM!

We had the entire island to ourselves, we saw dolphins, turtles, fish, a shark, manta rays and humpback whales and saw some of the most pristine ocean and mountain views in all of Costa Rica.

Filed Under: Activities and tours Costa Rica

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rob says

    October 16, 2024

    Hi guys, great article. I asked around some of the dive shops in Coco, and they don’t really offer a snorkeling mission out to Bat Island. Do you have a contact for your captain? Thanks!

    Reply
    • yeison says

      October 21, 2024

      Hello Rob,

      The boat captain we work with does offer private snorkeling tours to Isla Murcielago during the season. We already sent you an email regarding your question.

      Reply
  2. Kristen Funnell says

    July 1, 2024

    Hi, We will be there next week. I am having a hard time locating a dive shop. Can you recommend any?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      July 2, 2024

      There are several in Playas del COco/Hermosa/Ocotal that run dive trips to the islands.

      Reply
  3. Federico Arevalo says

    March 26, 2024

    My boss and his son are visiting Costa Rica the second half of June this year, and day would like to go snorkeling at the Bat Islands, could you please send me the information necessary to contact your boat captain to see if I can hire a tour with him or maybe name other companies for snorkeling, not scuba diving.
    PS: The kid will be 9 years old at the time of the trip.

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      April 11, 2024

      Hello Federico, we have sent you an email with more information

      Reply
    • Tracy Keller Martin says

      May 21, 2024

      Hello. We are visiting in early July. Is that a good time to visit Bat Islands? If so, could I get the contact information for your Captain?
      Thank you.

      Reply
      • Sammi says

        May 25, 2024

        Hi Tracy, we saw you requested a normal beach hop and snorkel tour but we will be happy to assist you with Bat Islands if you let us know your information (we sent you an email).

        Reply
  4. Ruby says

    November 15, 2023

    Hello there, my fiance and I will be in Costa Rica in May 2024 and we would love to go to Bat Island for a snorkeling adventure. How may we contact your boat captain for a ride over there? Thanks in advance 🙂

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      November 15, 2023

      HI Ruby, unfortunately the islands open around July or so. May will still be closed.

      Reply
  5. Sonny Diduch says

    October 23, 2023

    Hi, can you still hike on the Bat islands. I was told it was not allowed anymore. Also can you please send me the info for who I can book this tour with if it’s still possible and what the cost was.
    Thanks, Sonny

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      October 24, 2023

      Correct, they don’t allow people on the island to hike anymore, just to snorkel/scuba dive.

      Reply
  6. Alison says

    September 14, 2023

    Hi!

    Can we get the contact details of your captain? How much did it cost to hire the drill?
    Can you recommend a tour operator for scuba diving (beginner experienced).

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      September 14, 2023

      Hi Alison, he doesn’t offer scuba diving, only snorkeling. For scuba diving, you have to be advanced open water to go dive at Bat Islands, otherwise you can do a discovery dive/open water at the other islands in the Gulf with shops like Rich Coast, Deep Blue and ROcket Frog in Playas del Coco

      Reply
  7. Kiera Hanley says

    August 5, 2023

    Hi! My friend and I will be in Playa de Cocoa late next week and we want to explore the bat island! How may we contact your boat captain for a ride over there? Also, how much was it to hire them? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      August 8, 2023

      Hello Kiera, we have sent you an email with more information

      Reply
      • Karen Compton says

        September 7, 2023

        I would love this info as well! We are planning to visit the end of September 2023

        Reply
        • Sammi says

          September 8, 2023

          Sure, we will send an email to you shortly!

          Reply
      • Annika Zeidler says

        November 2, 2023

        Hi,

        I was just reading your article an I really loved it!

        As we are in Costa Rica right now – could you send us the information too, please? 🙂

        We would really like to do this tour.

        Reply
        • yeison says

          November 3, 2023

          Hello Annika,

          The Island is closed for the season and it will be open again in July 2024

          Reply
  8. Benjamin Messerli says

    April 18, 2023

    Hi! We already booked a car with your discount code and are inhaling your precious blog!

    Do you already know when the islands are opening in June/July this year? Can you recommend a tour operator for scuba diving (beginner to medium experienced).

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      April 23, 2023

      Hello Benjamin, we have sent you an email with information

      Reply
  9. Manuela says

    November 27, 2022

    Hi Sammy, just staying in Portrero now until the 30th Nov.
    How can I book a day trip to the bat islands please. Have you got a number for a capitán?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      November 28, 2022

      Unfortunately the islands are now closed, the season just ended

      Reply
  10. Melanie says

    September 5, 2022

    Hi Samantha …we are planning a trip to Playas del coco next June and we’re interested in visiting Bat Island …any recommendations on a private captain that will take us …maybe your friend?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      September 5, 2022

      Hi Melanie, usually the islands open around July, June usually they are not open

      Reply
  11. Anita Teagu says

    May 2, 2022

    Is this experience/excursion possible the first week of June 2022?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      May 3, 2022

      They haven’t announced when the islands will be open yet but it’s usually July or so

      Reply
  12. Ashley says

    February 15, 2022

    Is it possible to visit Bat Islands in March? Or is it too unsafe?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      February 15, 2022

      It is not open, the islands are only open around June/July – Oct/Nov, rest of the months they are closed.

      Reply
  13. Jim Arata says

    October 18, 2019

    I am so impressed by all the information, pictures and maps you provide. I will be in Guanacaste from October 26 to November 9 and want to experience the Bat Islands either on a trip like yours or as a scuba diving excursion, or both. It appears that you stop running excursions in September. Do you have a referral that I could contact to arrange a trip(s) to the Bat Islands during the time I am there?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      October 19, 2019

      Hi Jim, definitely check out the scuba diving companies in Playas del Coco. I know Rich Coast Diving still runs Bat Island scuba diving tours through November, Deep Blue Diving runs them through October.

      Reply

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