Punta Gorda
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 Gorda offers some of Caribbean Coast's richest reef diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest March, April, May.
Punta Gorda, a bit of a longer boat ride from our usual spots, is absolutely worth the trip. It’s named for the rocky outcropping that anchors the site, and we love how that geology creates a more interesting topography than some of the flatter reefs nearby. We've found the colours here really pop, especially compared to other sites on this coast; the sponges and soft corals paint the rocks in incredible shades of orange and purple. This isn’t a deep dive, topping out around 17 metres, which means we get good bottom time to really scour the nooks and crannies. And scouring is key here. While we’ve certainly spotted eagle rays cruising by, the real joy of Punta Gorda is in the hunt for the little things. Think tiny Sabertooth Blennies peering from holes, the vibrant flash of Harlequin Shrimps, or the impossible-to-find Hourglass Clingfish. The current can pick up a bit, so it's best for divers comfortable with a drift, or at least prepared for some finning. Visibility averages around 9 metres, so stay close to your buddy and keep those eyes peeled. If you're into macro life and don't mind a slightly milkier view in exchange for some truly unique sightings, Punta Gorda is our pick.
Typical Punta Gorda 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 Gorda
Dive shops near Punta Gorda
Summer Salt Dive Center
Summer Salt
Rich Coast Diving
Deep Blue Driving
Rockdivers Pick up
TikiHut Watersports Coco (located near Bosque del Mar hotel in playa Hermosa)
Reviews for Punta Gorda
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Punta Gorda, 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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