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Diving on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica can be simply described as spectacular. Costa Rica Adventure Divers explores several sites around the small island of Caño . Protected as a biological reserve by the Costa Rican Government, the water surrounding the island is extremely pristine and teeming with life. Twelve miles west of Drake bay, Caño Island offers some of the most exciting diving anywhere in the world. A wide variety of marine life can be discovered beneath the island waters. Perhaps the most memorable encounters occur with the pelagics that inhabit the area. Porpoises, schools of rays and white tip reef sharks can be seen on many dives. On almost every dive, large schools of fish swimming around and overhead can be breathtaking. Sometimes the numbers are so great that sunlight can actually be blocked by these large schools of fish, creating an underwater eclipse. Although not as common, the elusive whale shark and the shy hammerhead are often spotted in the area. Water visibility is good and can range from 45-90 feet. Temperatures hover in the upper seventies to low eighties throughout the year and provide for an exquisite diving experience.

Our dive center carries only well serviced, name brand equipment from Sherwood, US Divers, as well as other top brands. Our PADI certified instructor can teach courses ranging from basic open water to divemaster and can conduct any specialty course of interest. All our dive rates can be found on our prices page.

 

Costa Rica Adventure Divers is located in beautiful Drake Bay, along the Osa Peninsula. C.R.A.D. offers a wide range of professional underwater services for the recreational scuba diver. We are currently the only PADI International Resort Association facility in the Drake Bay vicinity. We adhere to PADI's strict regulations regarding safety and quality of service offered. We are also members of the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) and are Diver Alert Network (DAN) sponsors.

Services Offered: Scuba excursions around Caño Island and dive education. With a full time PADI Instructor on staff, we offer a variety of educational services from beginning open water to divemaster.

Night Dives: Available on a limited basis

Visibility: Excellent!! Varies from site to site but is usually no lower than 40ft and ranges to 100ft plus making it the best in mainland Costa Rica. Averages 60ft plus.

Temperature Range: High 80's to low 70's with thermoclines at varying depths.

Exposure Protection Needed: For most people, a 2mm spring suit (shorty) will suffice. If you tend to get cold a full 2mm or 3mm suit will almost always do the job. Our rental department stocks quality Henderson full 3mm suits.

Marine Life Encountered Around Caño Island: In one word, abundant!. Humpback Whales, Dolphins, Reef Sharks, Giant Manta Rays, Mobula Rays, Sting Rays, Sea Turtles, Groupers, Snappers, Angels, Moorish Idols, Trumpetfish, various types of Eels, Crustaceans, huge schools of Barracuda, Jacks, Grunts, and much more.

Coral Formations: Soft and hard coral formations are common but not as colorful or abundant as the Caribbean.

Currents: Usually mild but on some days can be strong.

Dive Staff: All boat dives are guided by a certified PADI Instructor or Divemaster. All dive staff are Medic 1st Aid and Oxygen Provider Certified.

Boats: Our boats are small and fast. So you can have a better experience, we limit the number of divers on a boat to no more than 8. Usually we try to keep numbers on any particular boat from 4-6 divers.

Equipment:
Rental: Our rental department uses only top quality Sherwood regulators, gauges, BCDs, masks, fins, and snorkels. All wetsuits are Henderson 3mm neoprene.
Tanks: 80cu ft (12liter) aluminum. All tanks are less than 1yr old and have current visual and hydrostatic tests. Tanks use regular K-valve (the main type used in the U.S. and throughout N. America). DIN compatible valves are not available at this time.

Safety: Oxygen kit and 1st aid kit on board.

Compressor: Top quality Bauer K-14.

Departure Time for Caño Island Dives: 7:30am
Return Time: Around 2-3 pm

Average Time to Reach Dive Sights: 45min - 1hr

Average Dive Depths: 60ft - 80ft

A Sample of Caño Island Dive Sights

El Bajo Del Diablo (The Depth of the Devil): The best site by far in the area and one of the best in the entire country. A huge area with many sub sites. Towering rock pinnacles rise from a depth of over 150ft to just under 20 ft. the best visibility, overall fish life and the best place to encounter Giant Mantas. An incredible maze of peaks and valleys. Groupers, snappers and amberjack reaching 70lb, swim along side great schools of tuna, barracuda, reef sharks and a large number of different tropical fishes. More than 4 species of eels can be found as well.

Cueva Del Tiburon (Shark Cave): A small cave that is home to you guessed it, sharks! Other inhabitants include angels, butterfly, damsels and parrotfish. Moorish idols, puffers, surgeonfish, and occasional mantas and stingrays. A very exciting dive.

Los Arcos (The Arches): Unique rock formations formed in the shape of arches. Swim through these towering underwater arches and see fish life similar to the Shark Cave due to its close proximity.

El Barco (The Wreck): No wreck here, only a variety of rock formations with the areas most plentiful hard corals. Fish life profuse and a great dive to encounter white tip reef sharks, stingrays, and an occasional sea turtle.

Paraiso (Paradise): Prolific fish life. Excellent site to view white tip reef sharks. Large schools of big groupers barracuda, snappers, tuna, and roosterfish can be found here as well as a number of smaller species mentioned earlier.

Other Information:

The purchase of DAN (Divers Alert Network) Insurance is highly recommended prior to arriving in Costa Rica. Cost for basic coverage is inexpensive (around $35us) and is well worth the price if an unforeseen accident should occur.

 

 

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