Imagine yourself immersed in sparkling blue water, following an enormous Manta Ray with wings outstretched to an astonishing width of fifteen to twenty feet. This daydream can become a reality, when you visit Costa Rica’s Catalina Islands!
Little more than a group of massive volcanic to sedimentary rock formations that form an archipelago just off the Nicoya Peninsula, the Catalina Islands are surrounded by water that normally offers good visibility, and is home to an impressive array of sea life. Turtles, Manta and Eagle Rays, White Tip Reef Sharks, and Nurse Sharks, as well as schools of colorful fish make the Catalina Islands a must for anyone who enjoys scuba diving.
Swimming With Giants
If you want to swim with the giant, migratory Manta Rays (Manta Birostris), it is best to visit between November and May. These astounding creatures can weigh over 1,300 kg – that’s as much as some small cars weigh! Although films from the 1930’s and 1940’s depicted these creatures as frightening, they are truly gentle, and feed on plankton. Smaller, non-migratory Manta Rays live in the area year round, and are no less graceful and lovely than their giant relatives.
When you do swim with giant Mantas, be careful! They displace plenty of water, and an unintentional collision could cause an accident.
Other Catalina Marine Life
As the water temperature in the Catalina Islands is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit year round, there are plenty of other wonderful sea creatures to view while you are waiting for the Mantas to arrive. Octopus, Sea Horse, a rainbow of coral, and small tropical fish are found everywhere. Plenty of spinner dolphins, Orcas and False Killer Whales, and even Pilot and Humpback Whales make frequent visits to the water around Costa Rica’s Catalina chain, as well.
Near Los Sombreros, where many dive charters take beginner divers, there are plenty of colorful reef fish to see. If your charter ventures to Elephant Rock, you will enjoy seeing the dramatic sixty foot drop from one edge of the giant stone formation, plus plenty of coral reefs filled with smaller sea creatures. Keep an eye out for giant Moray Eels, too!
Diving Costa Rica’s Catalina Islands: Getting There
As Costa Rica is a premiere tourist destination, popular with visitors from all around the world, finding flights and accommodations is simple, as is finding the right charter service to take you out for your dives.
Look for a charter that caters to people who share your particular level of expertise, and if you have never gone diving, don’t worry! Diving is so popular in Costa Rica, that many of the best charter services offer instruction and certification. If it has been a while since you suited up and you need a refresher, you’ll find that getting your feet wet again is easy!
As you plan your trip to Costa Rica, be sure to prioritize. What kind of sea life do you hope to see? Remember that many of the creatures which frequent the area are migratory, and large numbers of visitors do come to the area to see them. Booking reservations well in advance ensures that you will be able to get a spot on the diving trips you want to take most.