10-30m
    Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica
    Santa Rosa

    Monkey Head

    Good diving all year

    Protected Area

    Santa Rosa

    Why dive here

    With 217+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and pufferfish - Monkey Head offers some of Caribbean Coast's richest reef 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
    CharacterReef dive · max 10-30m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Monkey Head is one of our go-to spots on the Caribbean side, a solid pinnacle dive that rarely disappoints. We love how the topography shifts here, from the deeper sandy channels where you’ll often find reef sharks just chilling, to the shallower coral-encrusted ledges absolutely swarming with fish. Maximum depth is a comfortable 19m, making it a great dive for most skill levels, though you’ll want to keep an eye on the current – it can pick up here. Our favourite part is cruising along the wall, keeping an eye out for the Speckled Scorpionfish, which are masters of disguise against the rock. You'll also see schools of Bumphead Parrotfish munching on the coral, their colours just popping against the blue. Visibility averages around 10m, sometimes better, so it's not a wide-angle dream, but it's perfect for focusing on the details. Look for the Spotted Snake-eels poking their heads out of the sand, or if you’re lucky, a Haller's Round Ray gliding past. It's a busy, lively dive, a real slice of the Caribbean reef.

    Typical Monkey Head 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.

    Today05:3217:2911h 57m daylightGolden hour 17:01

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Monkey Head

    Monkey Head Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Monkey Head, 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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