With over 802 miles (1,290 km) of beautiful Caribbean and Pacific shoreline, snorkeling in Costa Rica is among the greatest on the earth.
From coral and rocky reefs to distant pacific islands, there may be an unimaginable variety of marine habitats to discover in Costa Rica. Right here, snorkelers are sometimes rewarded with sightings of uncommon and intriguing marine life together with sea turtles, sharks, rays, eels, and a rainbow assortment of tropical fish.
After spending 5 years exploring Costa Rica’s seashores and underwater islands, these have made it to the highest of my listing of favourite snorkel spots within the nation.
13 Greatest Locations to Go Snorkeling in Costa Rica
Isla del Caño / Caño Island
The very best snorkeling within the nation is only a brief boat journey off the Osa Peninsula
📍 Google Maps | destination site | High Viator Snorkeling Tour in Caño Island
Simply off the coast of Osa Peninsula, Caño Island Organic Reserve will not be solely a UNESCO World Heritage Website but in addition a marine paradise for sea life, snorkelers, and scuba divers. The coral reefs surrounding the island present a protected haven for colourful fish, reef sharks, sea turtles, whales, and generally even whale sharks.
Due to the unimaginable variety, Caño island is taken into account among the finest snorkeling spots in Costa Rica. Snorkeling excursions for Caño Island Organic Reserve normally go away from the city of Drake Bay by boat and final for a half day.
Playa Carbon
This secluded seashore is slightly recognized snorkeling paradise
Playa Carbon is a little-known secluded seashore that lies on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, north of the vacationer city of Tamarindo. The seashore is known as for its glittering black sand created by volcanic rock – the identical rock that creates rock reefs and tidal swimming pools that draw numerous various sea life.
Snorkeling alongside the purpose of the seashore gives the chance to glimpse tropical fish, however my favourite underwater second at Playa Carbon was in one of many giant tidal swimming pools the place I discovered an octopus.
👉 My Favourite Gear: Since this can be a comparatively remoted seashore, there will not be anyplace to lease a snorkel masks snorkeling mask is a good choice!
Playa San Josecito
These keen to hike by way of dense jungle shall be rewarded with a secluded snorkeling oasis
Tiny San Josecito Seashore is hidden alongside the Pacific Coast between Drake Bay and Corcovado Nationwide Park. The secluded seashore is protected against most waves and currents by rocky reefs and outcroppings, making it a beautiful spot to discover the coral reef and its colourful inhabitants.
The seashore is accessible by mountaineering a few miles alongside the coastal path that begins on the town, or by boat from the city.
Cahuita Nationwide Park / Cahuita Nationwide Park
With the biggest coral reef within the nation, this nationwide park gives the perfect of Costa Rica’s Caribbean underwater marvels
📍 Google Maps | destination site
Whereas not the preferred or well-known nationwide park in Costa Rica, Cahuita deserves recognition as a world-class snorkeling vacation spot. The small park showcases the fantastic thing about the Caribbean sea, with calm turquoise waters that comprise the biggest residing coral reefs within the nation.
The shallow coral reefs and heat tropical water present a habitat for ample marine life together with tons of colourful reef fish, making it certainly one of my favourite snorkeling places in Costa Rica.
👉 Professional tip: Try the opposite superior Excursions in and round Cahuita.
Playa Hermosa
Discover the marine wonders simply off this standard seashore
Many individuals go to this city on Costa Rica’s northern pacific coast to calm down at one of many seaside resorts, lounge on the seashore and benefit from the heat tropical water.
Waves are tempered by the half-moon form of the seashore making it an excellent spot to swim. Seize some goggles and head to the rocky outcroppings to search out some respectable snorkeling.
ocotal
The rocky outcrops of Ocotal present the right, easily-accessible snorkeling spots
Ocotal is a small protected cove situated on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica simply south of Playas del Coco.
The lengthy stretch of sand seashore gently curves and has rocky factors on both facet that kind a tranquil bay splendid for swimming and snorkeling. You’ll be able to spot colourful fish swimming across the rocky reefs at both finish of Ocotal.
Santa Catalina Islands / Santa Catalina Islands
These easily-accessible islands supply snorkelers the chance to get pleasure from coral reefs and tropical fish
📍 Google Maps | High Viator Snorkeling Tour in Santa Catalina Islands
The Santa Catalina Islands are a prime snorkeling spot Scuba diving vacation spot in Costa Rica. Situated within the Pacific Ocean off the Northern Nicoya Peninsula, scuba and snorkeling excursions from the favored city of Tamarindo make the islands simply accessible.
The ample coral reefs shelter an array of spectacular wildlife together with whitetip reef sharks, moray eels, and sea turtles.
Tortuga Island / Turtle Island
Situated off the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the rocky reefs surrounding this island are residence to tons of marine life
Turtle Island could be discovered simply off the tip of the Nicoya peninsula; accessible by a tour from Montezuma. Whereas snorkeling across the island and its underwater reefs, you will have the chance to see tons of brightly coloured fish. Once I took a tour, our snorkeling information confirmed us two dozing white-tipped reef sharks sheltered beneath a rock.
Not solely is it certainly one of Costa Rica’s final snorkeling locations, however the boat journey to the island additionally gives alternatives for dolphin watching and sea turtle sightings.
Refugio Pure Gandoca-Manzanillo / Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
This coastal refuge protects a few of Costa Rica’s uncommon Caribbean coral reefs and their tropical inhabitants
Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is a lovely protected coastal rainforest with a rocky shoreline on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean Coast. The nice and cozy water and rock formations make this an excellent spot to seize some goggles and seek for underwater wildlife.
Along with the bigger, essential seashore known as Playa Manzanillo, the refuge is made up of curves and small protected bays that can preserve a snorkeler entertained for days.
Islas Murcielago / Bat Islands
This beautiful Pacific archipelago gives protected habitat for turtles, whales, sharks, and tropical fish
In the event you’re in search of a snorkeling journey, the Bat Islands are the way in which to go. The small archipelago lies off Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast and collectively kinds a protected habitat the place various marine life can flourish.
The islands are residence to uncommon Costa Rican wildlife and bucket listing animals, similar to eagle rays, big manta rays, and sea turtles are recognized to inhabit close by waters.
Though the islands are much less accessible than different spots in Costa Rica, they’re nicely definitely worth the drive to the northwest coast and boat journey.
Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park / Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park
There’s nothing fairly like snorkeling off a pristine white sand seashore surrounded by tropical rainforest
📍 Google Maps | destination site
With a surprising tropical rainforest and pristine white sand seashores, it is no marvel why Manuel Antonio is probably the most visited of Costa Rica’s many nationwide parks.
Playa Manuel Antonio is a incredible family-friendly snorkeling spot with its mild waves and clear blue water. After mountaineering by way of the jungle and seeing all the terrestrial wonders that the nationwide park comprises, it is a deal with to chill off within the ocean and discover the underwater world.
Marino Ballena Nationwide Park / Marino Ballena Nationwide Park
The rocky reefs off the shore of this protected space are teeming with colourful fish and marine life
📍 Google Maps | destination site
Most well-known for its rainforested whale-tail-shaped peninsula and incredible whale-watching alternatives, Marino Ballena Nationwide Park is commonly neglected as a snorkeling vacation spot. However it’s a mistake to skip out on snorkeling across the rocky reefs proper off the shore of the whale’s tail!
Plus, there is a good likelihood that you will decide up some whale songs whilst you’re at it. Take it from me, there is not any comparability to snorkeling as a whale serenades you.
Montezuma Seashore
For those who do not feel snug snorkeling in open water, the recent tub-sized swimming pools on Montezuma seashore are the right place to soundly seek for sea creatures
Some folks could not really feel snug snorkeling in open water, however there is not any motive that this could preserve you from having fun with the wonders of the ocean. Low tide on the Pacific coast reveals a big system of danger swimming pools on Montezuma Seashore proper within the coastal city of Montezuma.
A few of these swimming pools are as giant as a sizzling tub, so you may convey your goggles and search for tide-pool creatures. These embody small fish, crustaceans, sea hares, and barnacles on and beneath the rocks.
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Costa Rica snorkeling is among the greatest on the earth, and I hope my picks have impressed you to have a good time beneath the floor! Up subsequent, take a look at my picks for the greatest locations to go to in Costa Rica.
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