Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica
    Santa Rosa

    Sorpresa

    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 - Sorpresa 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
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Sorpresa truly lives up to its name. We love this pinnacle because you never quite know what you're going to get, though it's rarely a disappointment. Dropping down to 27m, the main event here is usually a massive school of Bigeye Jacks. They'll often form a swirling tornado around you, so dense it feels like the light dims for a moment. It’s a proper sensory hit, the sound of their movement, the shadows shifting. Visibility here averages around 11m, which might not sound much, but it often adds to the dramatic atmosphere with those Jacks. We've seen plenty of stingrays gliding past and the occasional eagle ray too. Keep an eye out for Freckled Morays tucked into the crevices; they're usually just peeking out. Sorpresa is definitely one for the more experienced diver comfortable with deeper profiles, and it’s a site that rewards repeat visits.

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

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Sorpresa

    Sorpresa Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Sorpresa, 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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