10-30m
    Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica
    Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste

    Punta Catalina

    Good diving all year

    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.

    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
    CharacterPinnacle dive · max 10-30m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    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

    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.

    Today05:3317:3011h 57m daylightGolden hour 17:02

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    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)

    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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