Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Guanacaste Province
Ready to check out the best sites in Guanacaste Province for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 9 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
No matter what you're looking for, you can find a diverse range of the best ocean activities in Guanacaste Province to suit your needs.
#1 - Catalina Islands
Costa Rica, Pacific, Catalina Islands
Catalina Islands is a 3.75-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Costa Rica, Pacific, Catalina Islands which is accessible from shore based on 4 ratings.
#2 - Punta Argentina
Costa Rica, Pacific, Papagayo Gulf
Volcanic rock reef with great marine life from seahorses to rays, turtles and even sharks. Depth max 90ft.
#3 - Monkey Head
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Visibility can change by the hour with mild to moderate current at times. Thermoclines are common but I wouldn't say they are drastic.
Commonly seen:
- White tip sharks
- Spotted Ray
-Sting Ray
-Trigger Fish
-Green Moral Eel
- Box Fish
#4 - Cabeza de Mono
Costa Rica, Pacific, Herradura
My dive buddy and I were the only ones on the dive skiff, which was awesome! Our dive guide was great. We went with Diving Safaries out of Playa Hermosa and we stayed at the La Finisterra with a view of the entire town. The food was great at the hotel and in town.
A couple things about diving Playa Hermosa. (1) There's no need to pay extra for Nitrox. My dive buddy and I felt dooped as we thought we'd be diving deeper than 60ft which was not the case. (2) The Cabeza de Mono and the other outer islands are where the good diving is. Our second dive (inshore) was cold, green, boring and the viz was bad (granted we dove this in November 2010).
Cabeza de Mono is also known as Monkey Head.
#5 - Los Sombreros
Costa Rica, Pacific, Catalina Islands
Many good spots around the Island. Manta and Eagle Ray sightings common during season.
Los Sombreros is also known as Sombreros.
#6 - Tortuga shipwreck
Costa Rica, Pacific, Papagayo Gulf
Sunken fishing boat near a shark cave. It is a 45 ft. long metal commercial fishing shipwreck.
Marine species: snappers, grunts, groupers, eels, frog fish, etc.
By boat near Playas del Coco.
#7 - Punta Ballena
Costa Rica, Pacific, Catalina Islands
Dove this site mid November 2009. Very disappointing dive site. Green water, viz was 5-10ft, swift current and not much marine life. However, the underwater geology was interesting. If you are going to dive Costa Rica, I suggest skipping the "local" dive spots and go straight to Catalina or Bat Islands.
Accessible by boat. Set up the dive through Diving Safaris located in Playa Hermosa. Good group, went mid-week so there was only the boat captain, dive master, my buddy and I.