Isla del Caño

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

The island and its surrounding marine area of ​​52.01 km² (20.08 sq mi) have been designated a biological reserve, with a permanent warden station on the island. A popular ecotourism destination, particularly for 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 life 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 Galapagos archipelago, in 2004. However, the diversity of terrestrial fauna is limited: the island harbors less than 1% of the peninsula's insect diversity and many animal species native to the neighboring continent are absent.

Bajo Del Diablo

Location: A few kilometers off the coast of Isla del Caño, accessible only by boat from Drake Bay or Uvita.
Type of dive: Spectacular volcanic drop-offs and rock formations with underwater canyons, peaks and valleys.
Required level: Advanced/intermediate diving recommended, possible currents, complex terrain and extended depth.
📏 Depth & Topography
Typical depth: approximately 5 m to 30 m (15-90 ft), with areas reaching 40-45 m depending on the part of the site explored.
Bottom: Mixture of sand, volcanic rocks, canyons and steep structures.
Underwater relief: Vertical pinnacles rising towards the surface create a labyrinthine architecture; ideal for exploration and wildlife observation around overhangs and ledges.
🐟 Remarkable marine wildlife
This site is renowned for its rich biodiversity and impressive encounters.
🐋 Pelagic & large animals
Giant (oceanic) manta rays are common, especially in the dry season.
Large mobula rays and eagle rays are sometimes present.
Sharks: whitetip reef sharks, sometimes bull or hammerhead sharks in deeper areas.
Schools of pelagic fish: barracudas, jacks, tuna and snappers.
🐠 Reef life & diverse species
Groupers, pargos (snappers) and other reef fish.
Moray eels, pufferfish, angelfish, damsels, etc.
Turtles, dolphins and sometimes whales spotted from the boat or underwater during seasonal migrations.
🧭 Conditions & visibility
Visibility: often good to very good, particularly in the dry season (December to June), sometimes with 20-30 m or more if conditions are optimal.
Currents: moderate to strong depending on the area and tides, which helps to attract pelagic life but requires good diving skills.
Water temperature: typically around 22-28 °C depending on the season.

Tiburón Cave

Location: Off the coast of Isla del Caño, accessible by boat from Drake Bay or Uvita.
Type of dive: Small underwater cavern and volcanic rocky area forming an interesting but shallow relief.
📏 Depth & Topography
Typical depth: approximately 10 m to 17 m (30–55 ft) below the surface
Background & relief: Mixture of sand and volcanic rock formations, with an opening to a small rocky cave.
Visibility: generally good to very good (around ~10 m or more), depending on water clarity conditions and weather.
Currents: moderate but often gentler than at Bajo del Diablo — making it a suitable site for several levels of divers.
🐟 Typical marine wildlife
Cueva del Tiburón is appreciated for its encounters with several common marine species and some exciting opportunities:
🦈 Sharks & large animals
Whitetip reef sharks often rest near the cave entrance or on the adjacent sand.
Sometimes nurse sharks or other reef sharks depending on feeding and time of day.
🐠 Other notable species
Colorful tropical fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, boxfish, pigfish and other small reef fish.
Stingrays occasionally seen in nearby sandy areas.
Sea turtles and large rays are sometimes visible in the rocky areas around the cavern.
👉 Important: Although the name mentions sharks, there are some dives where no sharks appear in the cave; in this case, macro life and reef fish are observed around the rocks.

Barco Hundido

📏 Depth & Topography
Typical depth: ~ 15 m to 20 m (50–65 ft), ideal for beginner to intermediate divers.
Relief: Rocky bottom and sandy areas with moderate underwater relief, remains of what was once a shipwreck (now without the hull, but the name has remained).
🐟 Wildlife & Interest
White-tip reef sharks are frequently observed.
Manta rays and large pelagic fish may be seen depending on the season.
Snappers, barracudas, moray eels, turtles and a wide variety of tropical fish inhabit 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 (65 ft), well suited for intermediate divers.
A landscape of volcanic rocks, corals and small crevices offering hiding places for marine fauna.
🐟 Wildlife & Interest
Abundant colorful tropical fish, very photogenic.
Whitetip reef sharks, stingrays, groupers, snappers and schools of jacks.
This site is named for its more "peaceful" underwater atmosphere and rich in 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 or advanced beginners.
Bottom formed of masses of colorful hard corals and sponges.
🐟 Wildlife & Interest
Various corals and their attendant 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-related species.