April 23, 2019
The coastlines of Costa Rica are teeming with life, a world above and below the water filled to the brim with biodiversity, and it’s for this reason that aquatic ecotourism is such a thriving activity here. Visitors eager to explore these habitats can see wildlife up close and personal, and in many cases support local conservation efforts while they do so.
Depending on the season, you may see endangered sea turtles coming to the sand to nest, majestic rays literally gliding across the waves, or seemingly impossible mega pods of dolphins.
For this article, we focus on the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica, a 631-mile stretch through some of the liveliest waters in the world. There, visitors can explore dozens of unique ecosystems along the coastline, from big wave beaches to vibrant underwater reefs to tranquil coves and relaxing sands.
Even focusing on just the Pacific coast it wouldn’t be possible to touch on every ocean expedition available for travelers in Costa Rica, so we’ve narrowed a list down to four of the most spectacular. Here are our favorites:
Diving with ConnectOcean
ConnectOcean is a non-profit oceanography institute that offers a variety of outdoor expeditions, each designed to explore different aquatic environments and ecosystems. These expeditions help travelers explore the waters of the Guanacaste Coast, ranging from the near shores of Playa Danta to the mangroves of Baulas National Park, from the Catalinas islands to the northern reefs. Each adventure brings with it fascinating and exotic scenery, and the chance to see unique collections of colorful fish, reptiles, birds, and other aquatic wildlife.
However, what sets ConnectOcean apart is their stewardship for the ocean near Las Catalinas. Through each of these snorkeling and scuba expeditions, they aim to educate visitors about local ecosystems and help draw attention to their importance.
These expeditions also help fund ConnectOcean’s many conservation initiatives, which range from large scale tracking of marine life populations to laser photogrammetry of large undersea species like manta rays and sharks. They even contribute through underwater photography to a research database that tracks individual manta rays throughout their migrations from as far away as Peru and Ecuador.
So while you’re out on these custom ConnectOcean charters -- exploring exclusive beaches and coves that only the locals know about, enjoying lunch made with sustainably sourced local seafood and produce from the region -- you’re actually helping protect these environments for future generations.
ConnectOcean is based out of Las Catalinas on Playa Danta, about an hour away from Liberia’s International airport and just a short drive north of Playa Grande — a popular surf beach and National Marine Park that also plays a key part in protecting endangered sea turtle nests. Expeditions and charters from ConnectOcean are also family friendly, and require little to no diving experience to participate, although the team also offers options for more experienced divers as well. Either way, if you’re interested, you can contact guest services at Las Catalinas for more information about price and booking.
Dolphins off the Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula is located in southern Costa Rica, near the country’s border with Panama, and while the region is known for its stunning rainforests, the aquatic environments here are among the globe’s finest. In recent studies, National Geographic found that the waters surrounding Osa are some of the mos biodiverse in the world, home to iconic sea life like hawksbill turtles, manta rays, and -- one of the main attractions -- spotted and bottlenose dolphins. In fact, dolphins are so numerous in these waters that they form “mega pods”, groups of several thousand individuals.
Part of the reason for all of this biodiversity is thanks to the Osa’s warm and sheltered waters, which are also used as breeding and nursing grounds by Humpback whales. These whales, which can reach up to 50ft long, come from all across the ocean to have their young in the waters near Osa, and the health of this ecosystem is critical for the overall wellbeing of Humpbacks across the Pacific.
Visitors can see this magic in person on chartered day trips from nearby Drake Bay, which features the opportunity to whale watch aboard their vessels and even dive into the surf and experience these fascinating habitats, with the chance to see dolphins and whales from underwater. No diving certifications are necessary.
Cocos Island by Yacht & Helicopter
Cocos Island is a world heritage site and national park situated about 300 miles from the Costa Rican shoreline.
First mentioned in print back in the late 16th century, the island has long inspired the stories of pirates, adventurers, treasure hunters, and naturalists. In fact, Cocos Island is thought have inspired the settings for both Daniel Dafoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Jurassic Park’s Isla Nublar.
On shore, the island is home to 235 species of flowering plants, 70 of which can’t be found anywhere else on Earth, but the real treat here lies under the surface. Underwater, it’s a wonderland of reefs and volcanic caves, where more than 300 species of fish and other aquatic animals reside, like yellow fin tuna, sailfish, orcas, and hammerhead sharks, just to name a few. The island is also home to whale sharks, a peaceful species of plankton-eater that also happens to be the largest fish on the planet.
Getting to Cocos Island is an adventure in itself. From Puntarenas, the trip to Cocos on a yacht will take around 36 hours each way, meaning a little bit of life aboard the sea! Guests on chartered ships are provided with boarding and meals, and along the way there are stops for sightseeing, trips in the water, and other enjoyable activities, before days of diving and exploration in this fascinating underwater world. One utterly unforgettable option are the night dives among the hammerhead schools -- not for the faint of heart, these dives are one of the world’s premier opportunities to dive safely among thousands of sharks.
A helicopter ride from shore to the island is another excellent option, and offers the opportunity for a truly memorable trip along the sweeping coastlines and soaring hills filled with life. There’s no landing pad on the Cocos Island, so the trip is limited to a flyover, but for many visitors this aerial trip is without equal.
Based out of Playas del Coco in Guanacaste, local provider Seamasters offers full logistical support for visitors to Cocos Island, including permits, bunkering, equipment, and transport.
A Submarine Experience at Cocos Island
And for a truly one-of-a-kind experience, you can explore this underwater wonderland in a personal submarine.
The DeepSee submersible was designed by Avi Klapfer and Steve Drogin to revolutionize deep submersible diving and make it accessible for everyone. It’s designed to allow passengers to step aboard and disembark the craft easily from within the protective hull of the Argo, the yacht that transports guests to the island.
DeepSee houses visitors in a thick clear acrylic sphere with a 360 degree field of vision. Once inside, it’s as if the sphere melts away, and all you see are the wonders of the surrounding ocean.
For people who lack diving experience, these submersibles bridge the gap between you and a new underwater world. And for those who dive, the ability to zip around the sea floor and reach depths of up to 1500 ft make this an experience that’s not to be missed. The team at the Professional Association of Diving Instructors was mightily impressed, calling DeepSee one of the top ten dives on the planet, and in their words — a “must-do.”
Undersea Hunter offers submarine adventures on Cocos Island for 10 day trips, which include fully staffed vessels with meals provided, sleeping accommodations, and opportunities for all many of other aquatic recreation. If you’re looking to make your next aquatic adventure a once in a lifetime memory, an expedition with UnderSee might just be the ticket.
Even with our focus on the Pacific Coast, you can see that there are quite the selection of different opportunities for aquatic adventures in Costa Rica. However, no matter which ocean expedition you choose, you can be sure you’ll return with memories to last a lifetime.