Scuba Diving in Costa Rica

Explore 108 dive sites and 31 dive centres in Costa Rica. Conditions, marine life, and the best time to dive.

Costa Rica Diving at a Glance

5 dive regions, 108 dive sites, 31 dive centres, 446 marine species recorded.

Travel Advisories for Costa Rica

UK FCDO: See travel advice before travelling.

Best Time to Dive in Costa Rica

The best months to dive in Costa Rica are January, February, March, based on water temperature, visibility, wave conditions, and currents.

Month-by-Month Diving Conditions

  • January: Great, water 28.9°C, current 1.4 cm/s
  • February: Great, water 29.6°C, current 6.3 cm/s
  • March: Great, water 29.8°C, current 3.2 cm/s
  • April: Great, water 29.6°C, current 3 cm/s
  • May: Great, water 29.1°C, current 3 cm/s
  • June: Great, water 28.4°C, current 3.2 cm/s
  • July: Great, water 28.6°C, current 2.2 cm/s
  • August: Great, water 28.5°C, current 2.2 cm/s
  • September: Great, water 28.5°C, current 2.2 cm/s
  • October: Great, water 28.1°C, current 5 cm/s
  • November: Great, water 27.6°C, current 5.1 cm/s
  • December: Great, water 28.5°C, current 5.1 cm/s

Recommended Packing List for Costa Rica

Based on average water temperature of 28.8°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Dive Regions