Casa Verde - Caribbean Coast
Casa Verde, off Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, is one of those sites that just feels right, like pulling on a well-worn pair of fins. It’s not about grand pelagic passes here. We love it for the sheer density of small stuff and the way the light filters through the water, illuminating the reef’s surprising textures. We've spent entire dives here within a 20-meter radius, just picking apart the details. The reef here isn't a towering wall, but a series of coral heads and rocky outcrops, dotted with massive starlet coral and delicate staghorn. Keep your eyes peeled amongst the sponges – the lavender rope sponge and variable boring sponge are everywhere – for things like the granular frog shell and the exquisite regal murex. We’ve had incredible luck spotting yellowline arrow crabs in the crevices. And while turtles aren't a guarantee, we’ve certainly shared the space with a leatherback or two slowly cruising by. Our tip? Go slow. Really slow. Bring a good macro lens if you're into photography, because the bluestriped grunts form these lazy, shimmering schools, but it's the little nut semele and circular Chinese-hats that are the real stars here. This is a site for divers who appreciate the subtle beauty, who are happy to hover and observe rather than chase. If you love discovering the intricate details of a thriving Caribbean reef, Casa Verde will be right up your alley.
- Location
- Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica, Central America
- Coordinates
- 9.321947, -82.219590
Best Time to Dive in Caribbean Coast
The warmest water temperatures in Caribbean Coast occur in March, averaging 29.8°C. The coolest conditions are in November at 27.6°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.9°C
- February: 29.6°C
- March: 29.8°C
- April: 29.6°C
- May: 29.1°C
- June: 28.4°C
- July: 28.6°C
- August: 28.5°C
- September: 28.5°C
- October: 28.1°C
- November: 27.6°C
- December: 28.4°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Caribbean Coast
Nearest Dive Centres to Casa Verde
Marine Life in Caribbean Coast
Home to 218 recorded species including 198 reef fish, 11 hard corals, 5 whales & dolphins, 3 other, 1 seagrass & algae.
Notable Species
- Sleeper (Gobiomorus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Lesser Starlet Coral (Siderastrea radians) - Hard Corals
- Barred Livebearer (Poeciliopsis turrubarensis) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
- Spotted Sleeper (Eleotris picta) - Reef Fish
- Lamarck's sheet coral (Agaricia lamarcki) - Hard Corals
- Pointed Pencil Coral (Madracis asperula) - Hard Corals
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Bridled Dolphin (Stenella attenuata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Giant goby (Gobiomorus dormitor) - Reef Fish
- Mulet (Mugil curema) - Reef Fish
- Scroll Coral (Agaricia undata) - Hard Corals
- Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Graham's sheet coral (Agaricia grahamae) - Hard Corals
- Sleeper (Eleotris amblyopsis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Casa Verde
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