10-25m
    Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica
    Isla del Cano

    La Cueva

    Good diving all year

    Protected Area

    Isla del Cano

    Why dive here

    With 217+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and pufferfish - La Cueva offers some of Caribbean Coast's richest cave diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest March, April, May.

    Best timeYear-round
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeDolphins, Humpback Whales, Orcas, Sea Turtles and Pufferfish · 217+ species recorded
    Water29-31°C · warmest March, April, May
    CharacterCave dive · max 10-25m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    La Cueva, or "The Cave," is one of those sites that sticks with you, a truly distinct dive on Costa Rica's Caribbean side. We love that it’s not your typical reef dive; it’s a proper cavern, offering a different kind of immersion. Dropping down, you immediately notice the shift in light, a gradual deepening of the blues and greens as you approach the opening. Inside, the space opens up, and it’s surprisingly roomy, not claustrophobic at all. What makes it special for us is the atmosphere and the smaller, more unusual creatures that thrive in this environment. Keep your eyes peeled for the Bloody Frogfish, often camouflaged perfectly against the rock, or the delicate Triplefin tucked into crevices. We’ve had great luck spotting the Pacific worm eel here, too, peeking out from the sandy patches near the entrance. It's a fantastic spot for macro photography if you’re patient and move slowly. The currents tend to be mild inside the cavern, making for a relaxed exploration. We’d suggest going in the morning; the ambient light filtering in from the entrance is something else, painting the walls in soft, shifting hues. It suits divers comfortable with overhead environments, looking for something beyond the usual coral bommie.

    Typical La Cueva Dive Profile

    5m10mSafety Stop0m10m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.

    Today05:2417:2311h 59m daylightGolden hour 16:55

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for La Cueva

    La Cueva Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for La Cueva, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (9.78, -84.89) (48km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    29°C

    85°F · Range: 27.9–31.1°C

    Current Speed

    5 cm/s

    Direction: N (0°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.142 mg/m³

    Clear water

    Salinity

    28.81 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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