If you’re in Drake Bay and want to snorkel, this is the best possible destination: The Caño Island Biological Reserve. Enjoy intact reefs full of life on a full-day snorkel tour from Drake Bay. You’ll cover two reef sites, encounter sea turtles, whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays.
No experience required and lunch included.
4,5 / 5 on Google & Tripadvisor 
Caño Island has been a protected Biological Reserve since 1978: No fishing -No development. That’s why the marine density here is not comparable to anywhere else on Costa Rica’s Pacific mainland coast.
Its coral reefs rank among the best-preserved in the Pacific, hosting an underwater diversity you simply won’t find anywhere else on the Costa Rican coast.
You will be back in Drake Bay by 2:00 PM (ich).
We’ll send you the PADI Digital Book so you can study at home and arrive fully prepared. Prefer a physical book? You can complete your theory on-site.
Your training ends with 4 ocean dives at Caño Island Biological Reserve — Costa Rica’s top dive site. Explore a reef alive with sharks, rays and sea turtles.
Your training ends with 4 ocean dives at Caño Island Biological Reserve, Costa Rica’s top dive site. Explore a reef alive with sharks, rays and sea turtles.
The Caño Island Biological Reserve has twelve documented snorkel and dive sites around the island. The snorkel sites are shallow enough to see the bottom clearly from the surface – and rich enough that you don’t need to dive down to find the marine life. It comes to you.
Caño Island is a no-fishing, no-extraction marine reserve. That means the wildlife is abundant, calm and completely different from what you find in unprotected tourist areas.
Green and hawksbill turtles feed on the reef and surface to breathe – often within metres of the group.
Resting on the sandy bottom, 3 to 8 metres below your fins. Seen on approximately 9 out of 10 snorkel tours.
Up to 3 metres across, gliding in formation directly beneath the surface.
The encounter that surprises everyone.
Wingspan up to 2 metres, crossing mid-water in pairs directly below the snorkel group. Common at both reef sites.
No fishing since 1978 – no fear of humans. Dense schools of parrotfish, snapper and barracuda move through you.
July to October only. The boat crossing to Caño Island passes directly through active humpback whale nursery grounds.
No hidden costs. Boat, gear, guide, reserve fees and lunch – all covered.
Times are approximate and may adjust to sea conditions. Safety takes priority over schedule.
Two snorkel sessions at two different reef sites inside Caño Island Biological Reserve – 90+ minutes in the water.
Departure from Drake Bay at 7:30 AM. Back by 2:00 PM, afternoon free.
Every operator in Drake Bay goes to the same reserve. What changes is who takes you, and how well they know it.
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.
No experience is required. The course is designed for complete beginners. If you have already done a Discover Scuba Diving with us, that dive can count towards the course — just let us know when you book.
The standard course runs over 3 days: theory, confined water practice and 4 open water dives at Caño Island. If you complete the theory section via PADI eLearning before arriving, you can start in the water from day one. We explain both options at the time of booking.
PADI eLearning lets you complete all the theory at home, at your own pace, before you arrive in Drake Bay. Once here, we go straight into the water. It makes the in-person days more practical and more enjoyable. We send you the access code when you confirm your booking.
Yes. The certification fees and your Open Water Diver card are included in the course price. So are the PADI manual or eLearning code, full scuba equipment, boat transport, Caño Island reserve fees and lunch on dive days. No hidden costs.
The maximum depth during the Open Water course is 18 metres. Dives are adapted to each student's progress, starting shallower and increasing gradually. Once certified, you are qualified to dive independently to 18 metres anywhere in the world.
We work at your pace. If any skill needs more time, we repeat it until you feel fully comfortable. The goal is not to pass a test — it is to leave the water knowing how to do it properly. Our maximum of 3 students per instructor is designed exactly for this.
Yes. The PADI Open Water Diver certification is recognised by virtually every dive centre in the world. It is the most widely held recreational diving certification globally, and it never expires — it is valid for life.
Your Open Water certification lets you dive to 18 metres independently. The natural next step is the Advanced Open Water course, which extends your range to 30 metres with adventure dives in deep diving, navigation and more. You can also add the Nitrox specialty for longer bottom times.
Contact us!
Your Discover Scuba Diving at Caño Island!
Call or message us directly. Talk to one of our local instructors. We’ll listen to you and help you choose the best diving or snorkeling experience for your level.
