Herradura - Caribbean Coast
Los Sombréros, off Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, has a name that always makes us smile – a pair of volcanic pinnacles shaped like Mexican hats. It’s a great spot for an easy, colourful dive, with a maximum depth of 17m that keeps things relaxed. We often start on the shallower side, drifting around the ‘brim’ of one hat, spotting the usual suspects: schools of sand grunts hanging in the shadows, or a large-banded blenny peeking out from a crevice. What makes Sombréros stand out for us is the sheer number of puffers. Not just one or two, but spotted sharpnose puffers darting between the rocks, and occasionally a hedgehog puffer puffed right up, looking grumpy. It’s a dive that suits newer divers or anyone looking for a chilled-out afternoon exploring cracks and overhangs, keeping an eye out for a sleepy hawksbill turtle tucked away. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here with devil rays during the season too, which always feels like a bonus. Visibility hovers around 11m, so it’s not always gin-clear, but that just adds to the intimate feel of working your way around these cool volcanic formations.
- Location
- Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica, Central America
- Coordinates
- 9.644800, -84.666500
Marine Protected Area: Marino Playa Blanca
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 Herradura
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 Herradura
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