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Catalinas Islands (Islas Catalina): Top Scuba Diving Site in Guanacaste

November 19, 2020 By Sammi Leave a Comment

If you’re staying in the north part of the Guanacaste province around Flamingo, Conchal, Tamarindo, Grande, Potrero, Las Catalinas or Brasilito, one of our favorite things to do is scuba diving at Islas Santa Catalina (Catalinas Islands).

These set of islands are just a 30 minute boat ride from the Flamingo marina and offer an incredible experience to see marine wildlife. There are several ways to visit these islands whether you go snorkeling at Catalinas Islands or scuba diving at the Catalinas Islands.

Plan your trip to the Catalinas Islands with our guide!

Location

The Catalinas Islands are in the Guanacaste province off the North Pacific coast. They are about a 20-30 minute boat ride from the Flamingo marina.

Las Catalinas, Costa Rica Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

I have been to the Catalinas Islands five times, all for scuba diving in Costa Rica. Each time has been an excellent experience with tons of wildlife. Additionally, it’s only a 30 minute boat ride from the Flamingo marina making it one of the best scuba diving sites in Costa Rica! It’s also one of our most recommended things to do in Guanacaste for the ultimate beach vacation.

At the Catalinas Islands, it’s common to see manta rays, turtles, whitetip reef sharks, nudibranchs, octupus, eels, sea stars, urchins and tons of more wildlife. On my first dive to the Catalinas Islands in August, we saw dolphins and humpback whales breaching on the boat ride there!

Below are some photos of my Catalinas Island scuba dives.

Catalinas Island Scuba diving
View of the islands from the boat
catalinas islands
Snorkelers at the islands
costa rica scuba diving
Scuba diving catalinas
fish
manta rays
school of manta rays
Scuba diving catalinas
sea star
sea stars
Scuba diving catalinas

You can also snorkel at the Catalinas Islands. If you don’t have your scuba diving certification, scuba diving shops also offer a “discovery dive” specifically for those without a certification.

Best Time to Go Scuba Diving Catalinas Islands, Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s tropical climate allows for year round scuba diving at Catalinas Island. When I went in August, I was fine with a 3 mm wetsuit but in September, I wore 6 mm. I had on two 3 mm wetsuits, I felt like a penguin! But it was so worth it as I was warm.

There are some times of year when the water temperatures are colder than average such as February. However, the trade off is that it’s the best time for close encounters with the big oceanic manta rays (January to March). The best visability is September through March but visibility is fairly good year round at the Catalinas Islands.

Las Catalinas Islands Marine Wildlife

At the Catalinas Islands, you can see octupuses, nudibranchs, rays, eels, turtles, sea stars, sea urchins, giant clams, puffer fish, angelfish, parrot fish and white tip reef sharks. I saw white tip reef sharks 3 out of 5 of my dives.

Las Catalinas Islands Dive Sites

I dove at the following Catalinas Island dive sites: Punta Norte, Sombrero, Clasico and Punta Sur.

Catalinas Islands, Costa Rica Scuba Diving Video

I made a just for fun short video of my first dive at Catalinas Islands. I saw the most wildlife during this dive.

We hope that you can experience the magic of Catalinas Islands on a scuba dive or snorkel trip!

How to Book a Trip

You can do a Catalinas Islands scuba diving or snorkeling trip from Flamingo, Potrero, Brasilito, Tamarindo, Grande, Avellanas, Las Catalinas and Conchal. You don’t have to have your diving certification in Costa Rica, you can do a “discovery dive” which is specifically for those who aren’t certified.

There are also companies that go from Playas del Coco, but in Coco you have many other diving spots too.

If you are interested in booking a Catalinas Islands scuba diving or snorkeling trip from the Tamarindo/Flamingo area, please fill out the form below. We’ll be happy to help you arrange it with the company I went with. They also offer snorkeling and scuba diving. Their boat is very nice with a bathroom and can comfortably hold groups of 25 people, perfect for a private boat charter.

  • Guest Information

  • Minimum age for the diving (certified and non certified) is 10.
  • Tour Information

  • Please select which activity you'd like to do. The description and prices will appear below. Transportation is not included, you will need to meet the group in Flamingo on your own. If you do not have your own transportation, please write a note in the comment box your location so we can check for you.
  • This is the diving tour for those who do not have their scuba diving certification. Rate: $197.75 USD per person.

    The day begins with a 1 hour pool instruction, learning basic use of scuba diving equipment and safety. You'll practice some skills underwater and swim around to get used to the feeling.

    After the instruction, you'll be taken to the boat which will go to the Catalinas Islands, about a 30 minute boat ride. Along the way it is possible to see marine life like dolphins, whales and manta rays. Max depth is 12 meters/40 feet.

    When the boat arrives at Catalinas Islands, they will choose the 2 best dive sites for the day. You'll get ready to dive with your group and spend the next couple hours on the two tank dive with the possibilities to see turtles, manta rays, nudibranchs, whitetip reef sharks, fish, eels and much more.

    After the dives, you'll boat back to the marina.

    Cookies, fruit, juice and water are included on the tour.Diving equipment and gear are included.

    If driving to the shop on your own, you need to be there by 645 AM. Return is around 12 PM.

    Minimum age to do this dive is 10.

    Needs to feel comfortable in water and be able to swim. A medical check list will be required to fill out.

    Bring towels, change of clothes, sunglasses/hat, sunscreen, camera (underwater like GoPro) and money for tips.
  • These tours are for those with their scuba diving certification. Rate: $135.60 USD per person.

    You'll start the day with the boat ride after the meeting the group and on the 30 minute boat ride to the Catalinas Islands, you'll get geared up.

    Once you've arrived at the island, your guide will lead you to the dive sites for the two tank dive to see animals like white tip reef sharks, rays, fish, turtles, nudibranchs and more. Max depth is 18 meters/60 feet

    You must have done at least one dive in the previous 6 months to do the certified dives. If you have not done a dive in the previous 6 months, you will need to do the refresher dive.

    Fruit, cookies, water and juice are included. All diving gear is included. If you have your own gear, let us know in the comment section as there is a separate price.

    Minimum age is 10 with a scuba license. Must be medically approved if there have been any major health issues/changes since client's last dive

    Please bring a change of clothes, towels, sunscreen, camera (underwater like GoPro), hat, money for tips
  • These tours are for those with their scuba diving certification but have not done a dive in the last 6 months. It costs $197.75 USD per person.

    You'll start the day with a 1 hour pool instruction to refresh your memory and get familiar with the scuba equipment. Then you'll take the boat ride after the meeting the group and on the 30 minute boat ride to the Catalinas Islands, you'll get geared up.

    Once you've arrived at the island, your guide will lead you to the dive sites for the two tank dive to see animals like white tip reef sharks, rays, fish, turtles, nudibranchs and more.

    Fruit, cookies, water and juice are included. All diving gear is included. If you have your own gear, let us know in the comment section as there is a separate price.

    Minimum age is 10 with a scuba license. Must be medically approved if there have been any major health issues/changes since client's last dive

    Please bring a change of clothes, towels, sunscreen, camera (underwater like GoPro), hat, money for tips
  • Perfect for those who don't want to scuba dive but want to try snorkeling or already know how. Rate: $84.75 USD per person.

    The snorkeling tour starts on the boat where they'll take you on a 30 minute boat ride to the Catalinas Islands. You'll have all your gear and equipment ready when you arrive so that you can enjoy the snorkeling adventure right away. Your guide will lead you on two snorkeling sessions, each around 40 minutes long. You'll swim along the rocks to see lots of tropical fish.

    All snorkel equipment included. Water, fruit, iced tea and cookies are included.

    Please bring change of clothes, towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, money for payment. GoPro cameras or underwater cameras allowed
    You will need to be feel comfortable in water that is too deep to stand and be able to swim
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • If you have availability for other days, enter it here
  • Cancellation Policy


    Changes and cancellations must be written to us via email. May 1st - Dec 19: Cancellations made in less than 48 hours before the tour is a 100% penalty fee. January 6 - April 30: Cancellations made in less than 5 days before the tour is a 100% penalty fee December 20 - January 5: Cancellations made in less than 7 days is a 100% penalty fee No refunds for no shows.

    It is agreed that PACIFIC COAST DIVE CENTER will be relieved of its obligations and responsibilities, in case of natural disasters, fires, strike blockade, order of government authorities or any reasonable circumstance beyond your control.

    After you submit your booking request, we will send you an email with the invoice link and other details to book the tour.

    If you have any questions, please email us at services@mytanfeet.com.

    Refund is sent via the way the payment was completed. After 180 days of completed payment, if the tour is cancelled refund will be sent via Paypal.

    Mytanfeet is a registered Costa Rican company. We are a 100% Costa Rican travel consulting company based in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

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