Punta Catalina
Protected Area
Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste
Why dive here
With 217+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and pufferfish - Punta Catalina offers some of Caribbean Coast's richest pinnacle diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest March, April, May.
Punta Catalina, on the south point of the Catalinas Islands, often gets overlooked for its flashy neighbours. We think that’s a mistake. While it doesn't shout for attention, this spot offers a consistently engaging dive. The reef here slopes gently to about 19m, making it feel expansive without being overwhelmingly deep. Our favourite thing about Punta Catalina is the sheer variety of smaller stuff. You’ll find Speckled morays tucked into crevices and Chocolate Tonguefish doing their camouflage act on the sandy patches. Keep an eye out for the Flashy Fishgod Blenny, they’re always a treat. Visibility averages a decent 12m, which is enough to appreciate the intricate coral structures and the schools of Yellowfin Herring that shimmer past. It’s a calmer dive, perfect for spending time observing individual species rather than chasing after pelagics. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here with Giant damselfish defending their patches with surprising ferocity. This site is brilliant for macro photographers or anyone who enjoys a relaxed exploration.
Typical Punta Catalina Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Nearest Dive Centres to Punta Catalina
Dive shops near Punta Catalina
Tienda de Buceo
ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica
Tamarindo Diving
TamaDive SRL
Summer Salt Dive Center
Summer Salt
Reviews for Punta Catalina
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Punta Catalina
Punta Catalina Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Punta Catalina, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (9.78, -84.89) (48km away)
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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