Tiburon - Caribbean Coast
We’ve spent hours arguing over beers about Yonaguni. Is it natural? Man-made? Honestly, when you’re down there, gliding over those colossal, razor-sharp terraces and perpendicular walls, the debate fades away. The sheer scale of it, rising abruptly from the seabed, feels… purposeful. We love tracing the edges of the main structure, the light playing tricks on the colossal steps. It’s undeniably dramatic. Visibility can swing wildly, but when it’s good, the clarity makes the formations feel even more ancient and imposing. Our favourite moments are drifting along the ‘main street’ – a trench that cuts through the largest platform – keeping an eye out for those distinctive hammerhead silhouettes from November to May. They often cruise by in the blue, a stark contrast to the dark rock. We’d suggest going with a local guide who knows the currents; they can be tricky, often a strong surge around the monument itself. It’s a dive for those who appreciate grandeur and a touch of mystery, not necessarily for coral enthusiasts. You’re coming here for the structure, the speculation, and maybe a shark encounter, not to spot a new nudibranch. It's a deep dive into an enigma.
- Location
- Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica, Central America
- Coordinates
- 9.632700, -85.196600
Marine Protected Area: Cabo Blanco
Best Time to Dive in Caribbean Coast
The warmest water temperatures in Caribbean Coast occur in March, averaging 29.8°C. The coolest conditions are in November at 27.6°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.9°C
- February: 29.6°C
- March: 29.8°C
- April: 29.6°C
- May: 29.1°C
- June: 28.4°C
- July: 28.6°C
- August: 28.5°C
- September: 28.5°C
- October: 28.1°C
- November: 27.6°C
- December: 28.4°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Caribbean Coast
Nearest Dive Centres to Tiburon
Marine Life in Caribbean Coast
Home to 218 recorded species including 198 reef fish, 11 hard corals, 5 whales & dolphins, 3 other, 1 seagrass & algae.
Notable Species
- Sleeper (Gobiomorus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Lesser Starlet Coral (Siderastrea radians) - Hard Corals
- Barred Livebearer (Poeciliopsis turrubarensis) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
- Spotted Sleeper (Eleotris picta) - Reef Fish
- Lamarck's sheet coral (Agaricia lamarcki) - Hard Corals
- Pointed Pencil Coral (Madracis asperula) - Hard Corals
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Bridled Dolphin (Stenella attenuata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Giant goby (Gobiomorus dormitor) - Reef Fish
- Mulet (Mugil curema) - Reef Fish
- Scroll Coral (Agaricia undata) - Hard Corals
- Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Graham's sheet coral (Agaricia grahamae) - Hard Corals
- Sleeper (Eleotris amblyopsis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Tiburon
Based on average water temperature of 28.8°C, currents 3 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories