Long Shoal - Caribbean Coast

Long Shoal on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is a good drift dive, best explored when the currents are running. We’ve often found schools of tarpon cruising the deeper sections and plenty of smaller reef fish darting between the coral heads. It’s a site that suits divers comfortable with moving water, offering a relaxed journey along the reef.

Location: Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica, Central America
Coordinates: 9.655584, -82.661130
Type: pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Gandoca Manzanillo

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 Long Shoal

2 Oceans Divers
Ananda DNF S.A. - PADI, SSI, AIDA
Apoyo Dive Center
BA
ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica - SSI
Cocos Island Aggressor

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 Long Shoal

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