Isla del Caño

Isla del Caño Biological Reserve (Spanish: Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño) is a protected area in Costa Rica, managed under the Osa Conservation Area. It was created in 1976 by executive decree 6385-A.

The island and its surrounding 52.01 km² (20.08 mi²) marine area have been designated a biological reserve, with a permanent ranger station on the island. A popular tourist destination for ecotourism, including whale watching, it attracts visitors with its beaches, coral reefs, and marine wildlife. Researchers are currently using the coral reefs to study factors related to coral mortality and recolonization. Marine wildlife includes manta rays, dolphins, pygmy killer whales, sea turtles, whales, a wide variety of fish, and possibly manatees. The nudibranch Mexichromis tica was described on this island and on Darwin Island, in the Galápagos Archipelago, in 2004. However, the diversity of terrestrial fauna is limited: the island is home to less than 1% of the insect diversity of the peninsula, and many native animal species from the neighboring continent are absent.

Bajo Del Diablo

Location: A few kilometers off Isla del Caño.
Dive type: Walls and spectacular volcanic rock formations with canyons, pinnacles, and underwater valleys.
📏 Depth & topography
Typical depth: Approximately 5 m to 30 m, with areas reaching 40-45 m depending on the part of the site explored.
Bottom: Mix of sand, volcanic rocks, canyons, and abrupt structures.
Underwater relief: Vertical pinnacles rising towards the surface create a labyrinthine architecture; ideal for exploring and observing fauna around overhangs and ledges.
🐟 Notable marine life
This site is renowned for its rich biodiversity and impressive encounters.
🐋 Pelagics & large animals
Giant manta rays (oceanic) are frequent, especially during the dry season.
Large mobula rays and eagle rays are sometimes present.
Sharks: Whitetip reef sharks, sometimes bull sharks or hammerheads in deeper areas.
Pelagic fish schools: Barracudas, jacks, tuna, and snappers.
🐠 Reef life & various species
Groupers, pargos (snappers), and other reef fish.
Moray eels, puffers, angelfish, damselfish, etc.
Turtles, dolphins, and sometimes whales sighted from the boat or underwater during seasonal migrations.

Tiburón Cave

Location: Off the coast of Isla del Caño.
Dive Type: Small underwater cave and shallow volcanic rock area with interesting topography.
📏 Depth & Topography
Usual Depth: Approximately 10 m to 17 m below the surface
Bottom & Topography: Mix of sand and volcanic rock formations, with an opening leading to a small rocky cave.
Visibility: Generally good to very good (around ~10 m or more), depending on water clarity and weather conditions.
🐟 Typical Marine Life
Cueva del Tiburón is known for encounters with several common marine species and some exciting opportunities:
🦈 Sharks & Large Animals
Whitetip reef sharks often resting near the cave entrance or on the adjacent sand.
Occasionally nurse sharks or other reef sharks depending on feeding patterns and time of day.
🐠 Other Notable Species
Colorful tropical fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, boxfish, triggerfish, and other small reef fish.
Stingrays occasionally spotted in nearby sandy areas.
Sea turtles and large rays sometimes visible in the rocky areas around the cave.

Barco Hundido

📏 Depth & topography
Typical depth: ~ 15 m to 20 m.
Relief: Rocky bottom and sandy areas with moderate underwater relief, remnants of what was once a shipwreck (now without the hull, but the name has remained).
🐟 Fauna & interest
Whitetip reef sharks frequently observed.
Manta rays and large pelagics possible depending on the season.
Snappers, barracudas, moray eels, turtles, and a wide variety of tropical fish populating the rocky structures and sandy areas.
👉 Good site for a fish garden-type dive with frequent encounters and spectacular marine visuals.

Paraíso

📏 Depth & Topography
Average depth: approximately 20 m.
Volcanic rock formations, corals, and small crevices offering hiding places for marine life.
🐟 Fauna & Interest
Abundant, very photogenic colorful tropical fish.
Whitetip reef sharks, stingrays, groupers, snappers, and schools of jacks.
This site is named for its more "peaceful" underwater atmosphere and rich, compact life, perfect for observing families of fish, turtles, and small species.

Ancla

📏 Depth & Topography
Generally between ~12 m and 30 m depending on the areas explored.
Characterized by arch-shaped rock formations, creating interesting tunnels and passages.
🐟 Wildlife & Interest
Highly biodiverse: rocky slopes covered with corals and sponges with dense life around these structures.
Huge schools of tropical fish, rays, moray eels and often encountered in and around natural arches.
A site appreciated for its spectacular topography and the play of light through the structures.

Garden

📏 Depth & topography
Relatively shallow: perfect for a "thrill" dive or even a night dive.
Bottom made up of colorful hard coral massifs and sponges.
🐟 Fauna & interest
Various corals and their accompanying invertebrates (small fish, shrimp, nudibranchs) and small tropical fish.
Abundant fauna but less "pelagic" than on deeper drop-offs.
Ideal for those who enjoy observing coral micro-ecosystems and the typical behaviors of reef-associated species.