Chira Island Tourism: Tripadvisor has 23 reviews of Chira Island Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Chira Island resource. There is a colony of bull sharks often hanging there from May to October. $760.00 per adult. Most big pelagics leave the area at that time, but you can still see mantas. From schools of small fishes to sharks, we felt a bit overwhelmed. 1 review. Diving Bat island in Costa Rica was surprisingly good and full of big pelagics. ... howler monkeys, pheasants, deer, and several types of bats wander in a free state. The most remarkable aspect of this dive site is the massive amount of fishes. The equipment was quite good. Considered a scuba diver’s paradise, the 20 islands that make up the Catalina Islands of Costa Ric a are surrounded by pristine water that is often described as being a … We were staying at the Four Seasons, and the ship came to pick us up directly on the beach of the resort. I have read so many articles on the topic of the For more information about the best diving in Central America, check out my review of the Quino Al Guardian liveaboard in the sea of Cortez and diving Cabo Pulmo in Mexico. The boat offers covered area, shore communication system, oxygen and a first aid kit. We went on a deserted island with a pretty beach for lunch, and they provided lunch burritos. The area is mostly known for spotting bull sharks. These islands are one of the only places in Costa Rica that you can dive with the bull sharks. The travel time is approx 1 hour and 30 mins. We are a Scuba Diving instructor and more to get … ... We did a tour to the Island from the Jaguars Jungle Lodge and it was incredible! The Catalina Islands aka “the Cats” are, without a doubt, one of the most sought-after scuba dive locations in Costa Rica. They are actually located just off the coast of Santa Rosa National Park, which is famous for it’s landscape, wildlife, as well of some … From January 4 – 17, Costa Rica’s beaches are closed after 2:30pm. You access it by boat with one of the dive shops from Playa Coco. They came to pick us up with their boat directly at the Four Seasons, so it was convenient. Quick View. They are very warm and friendly, and it was a pleasure to dive with then. They often see whale sharks and manta’s there, May to October is the rainy season. (it's a natural park) Of course we have a permit, so you're more than welcome to come dive with us at RIch Coast Diving! You will need to book a day trip with one of the dive centers to … They had plenty of snacks on board ( the pineapple was delicious!). The indigo waters surrounding the Catalina Islands serve as a haven for a spectacular array of marine life. The best time to visit Bat Islands is from May to end of September.It’s an hour long ride by boats. A bit of current but nothing that you could not swim against. Murciélago diving is, of course, for certified divers only. And we had not even put our head in the water yet… It looked very promising! The Bat Islands are part of the Santa Rosa National Park, just off the Playas del Coco in Northwestern Costa Rica. December to April is the dry season. North Pacific ( Guanacaste) Gulf of Papagayo (Guanacaste/ Northern Pacific) -Over 20 dive sites on submerged pinnacle packed full of life within a 10 to 20-minute boat ride from shore. We had been warned about the strong currents. 8 Day Adventure Tour in Costa Rica. I am looking forward to going back there and experience more dive sites in the area. In addition to its neighbor, the Bat Islands (Las Islas Murciélagos), the Cats are considered one of the top scuba-diving spots in Costa Rica. Bat Islands charters depart at 6:30am from Tamarindo. IMPORTANT! A boat ride will take you out to this majestic dive site and on the way to the islands you may even get the first glimpse of what awaits in the crystal blue waters; dolphins, turtles and during the right season whales. In order to reach the Bat Islands, you should first fly into Costa Rica If you fly on San Jose you can take a bus to Playas del Coco which lies in the province of Guanacaste, where you should be able to find a few dive shops. The Bat Islands are located about 30 miles out to sea off the coast. The landscape is a lot of rock formations with plenty of hiding places for fishes and other creatures. It is a place that deserves to be better known. Tamarindo, 25 minutes vehicle drive away, is a paradise of white sandy beaches, manglares, sea birds and iguanas. The BCD they lend me even had integrated weight pockets. It was an exciting ride as we kept seeing animals in the water. Very convenient! Catalina Island is also a popular place, which is about 60 minutes away from the four seasons. When we dove it, it was totally manageable. blogger lovers but this post is genuinely a pleasant article, keep it up. Where else to dive on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica? During these months, very little rain falls throughout the Pacific coast. The dry season is the best time to visit Playas del Coco if you want to split your time between sunbathing on the beach and diving into the underwater world. The sea is calmer, so this is the best season for beginners divers. Located 45 minutes by boat from Playa Ocotal on the mainland, the area is a protected marine preserve as part of the national park. Divers take the plunge in hopes of sighting one of the many species of rays known to dwell in the islands' waters such as spotted eagle rays and devil manta rays. 2 reviews. Diving here is reserved for advanced divers. This national park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 for its unmatched natural beauty and rich biodiversity. TIP: In August, the water temperature was around 27 degrees, so a 3 millimeters wetsuit is probably sufficient. You can also see pacific manta and schools of the smaller devil ray in Bat Islands. The boat then will travel straight across the Gulf de Papagayo to the Bat Islands. It is the best place to stay in the region so don’t miss it. Bat Island (Isla Murcielagos) is located in the Santa Rosa national park, one of the oldest national park in Costa Rica. The Bat Islands are one of the most impressive scuba diving destinations in all of Costa Rica. December to April is dry season in Costa Rica. The dive sites are approximately a 50 minute trip with our boat from our Playa Ocotal location. Bat Island (Isla Murcielagos) is located in the Santa Rosa national park, one of the oldest national park in Costa Rica. The best time of the year is from May until November. Designated as the 2nd best snorkel and scuba diving site in Costa Rica, Caño Island, or Isla de Caño sits in the Pacific Ocean about 52 kilometers (32 miles) from Marino Ballena National Park.This biological reserve is home to a copious amount of marine wildlife such as sharks, eagle rays, fish and turtles. Another huge attraction to the Bat Islands is the Pacific Giant Mantas. Getting to Bat island and the Santa Rosa National Park in Costa Rica. Ask and pay your $6 entrance fee. We saw a pregnant white tip shark as well as some nurse sharks. The boat ride from the Four seasons took us about 70 minutes to Bat Island. I have never seen as many octopuses as on this dive site. Black Rock is a submerged peninsula. Who to dive with at Bat Island Costa Rica? The Catalinas Islands: At a Glance. Getting to Guanacaste and the Bat Islands It's possible to visit some of the dive areas as part of a day trip, however they'll likely be crowded and quite brief, and so in order to get the most out of what is on offer underwater your best bet is to jump aboard a liveaboard cruise which will sail you to many of the less frequented spots, allowing diving in undisturbed and pristine waters.,/p> And of course, we have refreshments and fresh fruits on board. We were staying at the Four Seasons, and the ship came to pick us up directly on the beach of the resort. After the two dives we return to Tamarindo at approximately 1:30pm. Scuba Diving The Bat Islands in Costa Rica. You can read my review of the Four Seasons resort here. To dive the Bat Islands you have to travel by boat about 30 miles from towns such as Coco Beach or where our dive shop is located in Playa Ocotal in the province of Guanacaste Costa Rica. 5 Days Wildlife Tour in Drake Bay, Sierpe, Corcovado and Osa. We did a dive there and saw 6 white tips sharks, a manta and some eagle rays. Location: 2 to 15 miles offshore (west) of Flamingo. Cocos island is ony run from liveaboards, however divers can explore Bat Islands and Catalina Islands from both land based operators and also with liveaboard options. Have fun in COsta RIca! It takes us about 1 hour to get from Playas del Coco to the Bat Islands – Islas Murcielagos. The maximum dive depths are 90ft/30m and our group sizes usually 2 PADI Professionals to 6 diving guests. Anything can pass by, and we have been told of sightings of humpback whales, mola molas and even whale sharks, We were the only dive boat in the area, which was great but there was also 2 fishing boats very near the dive site. When to dive around playa Coco in Costa Rica? But you might get rained on the way to the dive sites. See more ideas about bull shark, whale song, pilot whale. The Bat Islands (or Isla Murciealgo in spanish) are located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica off of the northern province of Guanacaste. The waters in the Gulf de Papagayo are heavily influenced by the wind. Get to know your fellow divers and enjoy the coastal views while you cruise past the Papagayo Gulf – about an hour depending on weather conditions – until you get to the Bat Island Archipelago. Last modified June 12, 2013, Map of the Bat Islands – Not Labelled by Google Maps, The blue whales in the Pacific Ocean are majestic creatures, Inhabiting the worlds tropical and subtropical waters, tri, The green sea turtle, also known as Chelonia mydas, belong, The Pacific Ocean is host to a variety of different scorpion, Easily mistaken as sea snakes, eels are actually elongated f, Mobula Ray are cartilaginous fishes that belong to, Spadefish belong to the fish family Ephippidae, an, The Ballistic Nature of Costa Rica’s Triggerfish, The Colorful Life of Costa Rica’s Nudibranch. The beautiful Caño Island reserve Snorkeling at Caño Island. Make sure when you book a trip to the bats to get a dive shop with a permit. Bat Islands is all about sharks. It is a small dive shop in Playa Coco managed by Rocky and CJ, a Canadian/ US couple. The worst month of the year to dive is in October so avoid it if you can. There are 8 ways to get from San Blas Islands to Costa Rica by plane, bus or ferry. ... Murciélago is the premier scuba destination in Costa Rica. Crossing them … You can read my review of the Four Seasons resort here, review of the Quino Al Guardian liveaboard in the sea of Cortez, Sustainability Serie: Misool Resort and the creation of the Misool Marine Reserve, Review of the Misool Resort: a unique retreat with an incredible underwater world, Review of Neomi’s diving liveaboard trip to Misool, Uncrowded diving in Sangihe islands with Sunshine liveaboard. 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