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DIVING
Costa Rica's underwater wonders range from coastal coral
reefs to offshore islands. Those varied dive spots contain
diverse and beautiful marine life that includes giant manta
rays, timid sea turtles, colorful angel fish, intricate
coral formations, psychedelic sea slugs, spiny puffer fish,
delicate sea fans, curious dolphins and, on rare occasions,
whales.
Though the country's waters contain enough marine life to
please the most experienced of divers, you need be little
more than a curious swimmer to catch a glimpse of some of
its underwater sights, since there are plenty of spots that
are perfect for snorkeling. Costa Rica is also an excellent
place to learn how to scuba dive, since most dive centers
offer inexpensive certification courses in English that
can be completed in less than a week.
HISTORICAL REVIEW
The origin of diving, as with so many technological advances,
derives from the military sector. The first divers were
soldiers and marines, who owing to conditions at that moment,
were exposed to great risks.
It was but after the Second World War, that diving became
a sports activity. Equipment was primitive if compared to
what is used today. No longer a secret of Military Marines,
the autonomous diving suit system was invented, an ancestor
of the modern Scuba system (acronym for Self Contained Underwater
Breathing Apparatus).
Another situation that helped diving to become popular was
that by the 70’s, the way of teaching changed radically,
due to the system adopted by the Professional Association
of Diving Instructors (PADI), which consists in very aggressive
policies related to safety standards, research and development
of educational and marketing materials.
So, PADI changed the masculine, difficult and dangerous
image of diving, opening the market and reaching families,
schools, ordinary men and women, simply desiring to enjoy
their free time in a relaxing and safe way.
LET’S GO TO CLASS
Diving is one of the few recreational activities (it’s
not considered a sport) that unites the social aspect, with
adventure, adrenaline, strong emotions and love for nature,
with a total lack of competition.
Learning to dive only requires learning how to float, having
a basic level of skill on the water, seriously wanting to
enjoy excitement, and getting a diver’s certificate
by taking PADI courses.
The course received is an enjoyable experience, easy and
full of enthusiasm. It includes sections of theory, which
are required to learn the physical concepts and basic security,
classes at the swimming pool and finally, practice in the
ocean (one or two days of diving, depending on the chosen
course).
One of the concepts learned during the basic course is solidarity,
which consists in that, no matter the level of experience,
no diver may go in on his own.
After finishing the basic course, a diver may take some
continuous education courses, such as: advanced diving,
submarine photography, biology, among others. These programs
are fun experiences, to acquire experience in areas of specific
interest, under professional supervision and diving.
INTO THE WATER
Once the basic program is finished and with an international
diving license, you may take a local tour or an advanced course,
or make a trip to any diving point.
Costa Rica, for example, counts with many diving points, also
offering great biodiversity and beauty.
The Caribbean has a spectacular coral reef, which is absent
in the Pacific. This reef is characterized by a high density
of animals in a small space, normally invertebrates and of
a small size, like starfish, shrimp and nudibranchiates. This
is a real paradise for those wishing to enjoy such things
as macrophotography and marine biology.
The only points suitable to dive in the Caribbean are Manzanillo
and Puerto Viejo. Nevertheless, it is hardly predictable due
to meteorological conditions in Limón, but if you arrive
in a good day, the area’ll impress you.
If the Atlantic coast is characterized by small-sized species,
the Pacific, on the contrary, is well known for the great
amount of schools of pelagic fish (jurels, tunas, man rays
and open sea fish). On the other hand, the condition of currents,
the tides and visibility are more challenging than those in
the Caribbean. The Pacific has a higher number of alternatives
for diving. Among the most famous is Cocos Island, that according
to Jacques Cousteau (without any doubt the mythical commander
of the Calypso knew something of diving...) is one of the
most beautiful spots in the world.
Caño Island is another ideal destination to visit.
Added to it are some sections of the coast in Guanacaste,
Murciélagos Islands and the Catalinas, Tortuga Island,
Sámara, Cabo Blanco and Montezuma. The variety of diving
operations and of ships, specially designed for the activity,
will simplify planning your trips.
The scenario as it is, the challenge is making the initial
decision of enrolling on the first course, overcome prejudice
and fears derived from a misconstrued image of this activity,
that by the way, is statistically less dangerous than football.
When you know the technique, the rest is just a matter of
having fun.
Diving is an activity that will change the way you make new
friends and plan vacations. Certified divers normally will
select where to pass their free time according to the possibility
of plunging, which is why diving is a way of life, more than
just an activity.
CARIBBEAN
There are several wonderful snorkeling areas along the southern
Caribbean coast. The country's largest coastal reef is protected
within the Cahuita National Park, south of the town bearing
the same name, where you can rent snorkeling equipment and
hire people to take you out in the boats. The point at Puerto
Viejo, south of Cahuita, has also a protected coral reef that
makes it ideal for diving. Cocles Point and Uva Point, two
points south of the town, have healthier coral formations
with plenty of fish around them. Manzanillo, a small fishing
village a few miles further south, also has some decent diving
off shore. There are also a few good diving spots near the
city of Limon, such as the water surrounding Uvita Island.
The best visibility in the Caribbean is from March thru early
May and from mid August thru mid November, but water quality
can change from day to day.
PACÍFIC
The Pacific has the country's best diving sites, with less
coral, but plenty of big fish. The most popular Pacific diving
area is the northwest, where diving centers in El Coco, Ocotal
and Hermosa Beaches offer trips to several spots at Culebra
Bay and Murcielago Islands, to the northwest, where divers
often see sharks and manta rays. Flamingo’s diving center
usually takes people to Santa Catalina Island, about five
miles off shore, which is another good spot to see sharks
and other big fishes. The best visibility and water temperatures
given in the northwest are from June thru September, though
the conditions can change from day to day.
There are good chances of snorkeling at the Curu National
Wildlife Refuge, and near the Tambor and Montezuma beach resorts.
There usually are also good chances of snorkeling off the
second beach in Manuel Antonio National Park, and around the
points and islands between Dominical and Ballena Marine National
Park. However, the best diving off the Pacific coast is found
at several underwater reefs near Caño Island, which
can be explored through diving trips offered by some of the
lodges nearby Drake Bay. Contrary to the conditions given
in the northwest, the best visibility in the waters around
Caño Island occurs during the dry season, though the
water tends to be pretty clear year round.
COCOS
Cocos Island, a national park located some 330 miles southwest
of Costa Rica’s mainland, has the country’s best
diving sites by far. While the Island is covered with virgin
forest, the ocean that surrounds it contains abundant marine
life, and the visibility is good year round. Divers at Cocos
Island regularly see such impressive animals as manta rays,
dolphins and hammerhead sharks, which sometimes gather in
schools of 30 or 40 animals. It takes about 36 hours to reach
Cocos Island, and some companies have ships that run regular
dive cruises there, which last ten days and include three
dives per day.
