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Tortuga shipwreck

The Tortuga shipwreck, sitting off Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, offers a proper glimpse into the region's maritime past. It’s not one of those meticulously preserved wrecks, more a broken-up hull spread across the seafloor, but that’s its charm. We love poking around the scattered pieces, imagining the ship’s final moments as we trace the outline of what was once a grand vessel. The structure has become a magnet for fish, a real nursery. You’ll find schools of snapper darting in and out of the rusted metal, and often a grumpy green moray peering from a dark corner. Visibility here can be a bit variable, sometimes a glorious 20 metres, other days a murky 10. We’d suggest going in the dry season, roughly December to April, for the best chances. It’s a relatively shallow dive, perfect for extended bottom times and just soaking in the atmosphere. The resident nurse sharks are a highlight, often found napping under larger sections of the hull. This dive suits anyone who appreciates history beneath the waves and doesn’t mind a bit of a scavenger hunt as you explore the wreck's scattered remains.