What treasures await, beneath the crystalline waters of Costa Rica’s Drake Bay? While you may not find sparkling gold, you are certain to enjoy the natural treasure of marine life, as well as the rich history of the area.
Sir Francis Drake and Drake’s Bay
While Sir Francis Drake, who led the English on their first circumnavigation of the world, was hailed as a hero in some places, Spain considered him to be a pirate. What better place for a pirate to hide, than in the sumptuously beautiful bay that now bears his name? With coastal rainforests close at hand, reefs filled with fish, and a well-hidden, remote location, the bay made a perfect pirate’s hideout for Drake. He is said to have frequented the area in the 1600’s, and interestingly, local legend is that at least one of his treasure caches was hidden in the area.
Scuba Diving In Drake Bay
Many divers simply enter the water from the shoreline, while others prefer to take a charter further out. Either way, there are gear rentals available, as well as instruction for those who need a refresher or have never been on a dive.
During the rainy season, visibility can be low due to sludgy, muddy runoff from area rivers, but during the dry season, visibility in the bay is normally very good. Water temperatures stay between 70 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
While there is an abundance of fish in the bay, such as Tuna, Amber Jacks and Rooster Fish, there are plenty of Octopus and Lobster to see, as well. In fact, night diving is popular because some of these creatures hide out during the day and emerge to feed during the hours of darkness.
Fishing charters do run in some areas of the bay, while the waters closer to Isla Del CaÑo are part of the Isla Del CaÑo Biological Reserve. Not surprisingly, the surrounding area is teeming with underwater life.
Marine Mammals
While most of the marine mammals in the area stay a bit further out, they do occasionally venture into the bay. Orcas, False Killer Whales, and Spinner Dolphins are commonly seen off the Isla Del CAÑO , another very popular diving location, which is located just about twelve miles west of Drake Bay.
If you don’t see any whales or dolphins inside the bay, don’t worry! Your charter can take you out just a little further for plenty of great marine mammal observation opportunities. Besides the fact that locals know exactly where to find whales and dolphins, there are plenty of sea turtles and manta rays living in the area, and there is a thriving local ecotourism culture, that provides visitors with the opportunity to take trips to see some of the most amazing animals on the planet. Many of these rain forest creatures are endangered species, so if you have the opportunity to visit them, be sure to take advantage of it.
Traveling To Drake Bay
Getting to Drake Bay is fun, and is a whole lot easier than it once was. At one time, there were no roads to the area, however there is now a single dirt road that leads to Drake Bay. Four wheel drive is recommended, and the road is generally impassable during the rainy season. There are no bridges, so unless you can rent a Jeep or other four-wheel-drive vehicle in San Jose, and unless you are fully provisioned for a wild and crazy ride through the jungle, you should fly or take a boat instead!
While a flight will get you there most quickly, a boat ride allows you to enjoy more of the scenery and start to relax before your diving adventures begin. No matter which way you get there, you are certain to enjoy yourself! Be sure to book reservations early, since this is one of the most amazing destinations on the planet and space is limited.