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We are proud to be members of the following
associations:
  
 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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