Caño Island Biological Reserve is one of the finest scuba diving destinations on the Costa Rica – Pacific coast. Certified divers can choose 2 or 3 guided dives inside the reserve, led by local experts with 15+ years in these specific waters. Direct departure from Drake Bay.
Scuba diving at Caño Island is the dive you will remember longest if you’re coming to Costa Rica.
Leaving Drake Bay with our team, Caño Island is 20 kilometres away, 45 minutes across open Pacific water. It sits in the most biodiverse region on the planet, where cold deep-water upwellings collide with warm tropical shallows. That collision of currents creates an explosion of marine life unlike anything else on this coast.
Caño Island has been a biological reserve since 1978, with fishing prohibited without exception. That absolute protection has built the most intact marine ecosystem you will find on any single dive: sharks, manta rays, schools of hammerheads, sea turtles, whale sharks in season, a complete food chain from the reef floor to the open water above you.
Scuba diving at Caño Island ranks consistently among the top dive destinations in the Eastern Pacific.
Caño Island’s protected status since 1978 means the marine life here has had decades to recover without pressure. What you encounter underwater is not curated or seasonal — it is what lives there. These are the species you are most likely to see on a guided dive.
Green and hawksbill turtles move through the reef at close range. Common at most sites — often resting on the bottom or surfacing right above the group during the dive.
Rest on the sandy bottom between 8 and 18 metres. Seen on 9 out of 10 dive trips. Completely relaxed around divers, reliable sightings at Bajo del Diablo and La Cueva.
Up to 3 metres across. Oceanic mantas pass in groups, wings overlapping mid-water. Sightings are unpredictable but more frequent from May to November as plankton rises.
Scalloped hammerheads move through deeper sites (20–35 m) from July to October. Bajo del Diablo and El Arco are reliable spots, typically in schools of 3–8 individuals.
Occasional but documented at Caño Island, particularly May–October when plankton density peaks. The largest fish on the planet , up to 12 metres. A surface encounter or a blue-water dive with one is among the rarest experiences in the reserve.
Spotted eagle rays cruise mid-column in pairs or small groups, often crossing between you and the surface. One of the most elegant sightings in the reserve, common at Bajo del Diablo and El Ancla.
No fishing since 1978. The fish have no fear of divers. Dense schools of parrotfish, snapper, and barracuda move through the group. At some sites the visibility drops temporarily as the school surrounds you.
July to October. The boat crossing to Caño Island passes directly through active humpback whale nursery grounds. Drake Bay is one of only two places in the world where northern and southern hemisphere populations visit the same waters.
What to expect in the water, month by month. There is no bad time to dive here — only better and best.
| Species / Condition | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🦈 Whitetip Reef Sharks | ||||||||||||
| 🐢 Sea Turtles | ||||||||||||
| 🦅 Eagle Rays | ||||||||||||
| 🐟 Manta Rays | ||||||||||||
| 🦈 Hammerhead Sharks | ||||||||||||
| 🐳 Humpbacks (S. Hemisphere) | ||||||||||||
| 🐳 Humpbacks (N. Hemisphere) | ||||||||||||
| 👁 Visibility | ||||||||||||
| 🌊 Sea Conditions |
📌 If you choose the 3-tank option, the day may run a couple of hours longer. Times are approximate and may adjust to sea conditions. Safety takes priority over schedule.
Nine documented dive sites inside the reserve, each with a different character, depth range, and resident species. Your guide selects two or three on the day based on current conditions and your certification level..
Limited spots, Book NOW! Only 20 spaces available per day to ensure a personalized experience.
Drake Bay sits on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica at a unique convergence point. The Southern Hemisphere population arrives from Antarctic feeding grounds from July to October. The Northern Hemisphere population arrives from California and Mexico from December to March. The same bay. Two separate migrations. Almost year-round whale activity.
The 40-minute crossing to Caño Island passes directly through active whale territory. Before you enter the reserve, you are already inside one of the most remarkable marine wildlife corridors on the planet. Surface breaches, pec slapping, and mother-calf pairs are common from the boat. On still days, humpback songs are audible underwater during the dive.
2 Separate whale populations visiting the same bay. 8 months Combined whale season per year.
2-tank dive: $155 | 3-tank dive: $210
No hidden costs. Equipment, boat, reserve entrance fee, and lunch included.
Required to dive inside the Caño Island Biological Reserve. Bring these on the day or send them to us when you book.
Valid diving certification from any recognised agency: PADI, SSI, NAUI, CMAS or equivalent. Physical card or digital version accepted. No certification on the day means no dive.
Paper or digital. We check that your recent dive history suits the sites selected. If your last dive was over 12 months ago, a refresher dive is recommended before the day.
Standard PADI medical form, completed and signed. Available in advance or on arrival. Certain conditions require a doctor’s clearance letter. Contact us if unsure.
DAN or equivalent dive accident cover is strongly recommended. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is in San José. Without insurance, evacuation costs can be very significant.
In our Google reviews, we are one of the highest-rated dive centers in Costa Rica. Our community highlights our organization, professionalism and the personal touch that makes us unique. connection to this corner of Costa Rica — that’s what makes Drake Divers different.
Limited spots, Book NOW! Only 20 spaces available per day to ensure a personalized experience.
Any open water certification from a recognised agency is accepted: PADI, SSI, NAUI, CMAS, or equivalent. You must bring your certification card (physical or digital) on the day. Without it, we cannot take you diving inside the reserve — it is a legal requirement.
No. All equipment is included: wetsuit, BCD, regulator, tank, mask, fins, and weights. If you prefer to use your own gear, you are welcome to — just let us know in advance. We ask that all personal regulators have a current service record..
The 2-tank option includes two guided dives at two separate reef sites, with a surface interval between them. The 3-tank option adds a third dive at a third site, which is typically the deepest or most exposed site of the day. The 3-tank option is best for experienced divers who want to maximise time in the water.
Depths vary by site and by your certification level. The typical range is 12–25 metres for most dives. At sites like Bajo del Diablo or El Arco, depths can reach 30–40 metres for Advanced-certified divers. We never exceed your certification limits.
Yes. Nitrox (Enriched Air) is available for an additional fee. You must hold a valid Enriched Air certification to use it. Nitrox is particularly useful on the 3-tank option, where extended bottom times at depth can approach no-decompression limits on standard air.
Yes, but we strongly recommend booking a refresher dive with us the day before your Caño Island trip. A 45-minute skills review in calm, shallow water near Drake Bay will rebuild your confidence and ensure you get the most from your dives at the reserve. Contact us and we will arrange it..
Every month has something to offer. December to April brings the best visibility and the calmest sea conditions. May to November brings more marine life — manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and humpback whales (July–October). There is no bad time to dive here, only different reasons to come..
Drake Bay is remote — and that is precisely why the diving is exceptional. You can fly from San José in 35 minutes with Sansa, or take a boat from Sierpe (1.5 hours). We are happy to advise on logistics and can coordinate with local lodges for transfers on request.
Talk to Us Before You Book
Call or message us directly. Talk to one of our local dive guides. We’ll tell you which sites are running, what’s been sighted recently, and which dive package fits your level and schedule.
