What is the best time to dive with bull sharks at the Bat Islands?

The optimal time for bull shark diving at the Bat Islands is from June to October, avoiding the windy season.

Do I need prior diving experience?

Yes, only advanced certified divers are allowed due to the depths and conditions at the Bat Islands.

What is included in the diving trip?

The trip includes a 2-tank dive, park fees, refreshments, and a professional guide. Equipment rental is available for an additional fee.

How far is the Bat Islands from Playas del Coco?

The Bat Islands are approximately a 2-hour boat ride from Playas del Coco.

Bull Shark Diving
Bats Islands (Murcielago)

An Unforgettable Bull Shark Diving Experience in Guanacaste with
Rich Coast Diving – Costa Rica’s #1 Dive Center

BLOG - BULLSHARK DIVING

Included

2 tank dive morning departure.
Including Park fees $17 USD
We dive in small groups of up to 4 divers per guide.
Refreshments (water, iced tea, fruit, and cookies) are included.

Note: *Equipment rental is not included and costs $30 USD for a full set per day.

Due to its remote location dive insurance is mandatory for diving trips to Bats Islands and it costs only 20 USD per day.

*Conditions apply: We need a minimum of 4 divers to guarantee a trip. And we require guests to do a local diving trip with Rich Coast Diving prior to booking a trip to Bats Islands.

About Diving with Bullsharks

From June to October only. Costa Rica is the best and safest place in the world to dive with bull sharks. Due to the the windy conditions we only offer Bullshark diving from June to October. The first dive site ´Big Scare´ is a 2 hour boat ride from Playas del Coco, so we leave early in the morning at 6 AM and return around 2 PM. The first dive is Big Scare the famous Bullshark dive. And the second dive site is the amazing 'Black Rock' with big schools of fish and plenty of pelagic encounters.

The Bat Islands (Murcielago Archipelago) belong to the National Park of Santa Rosa, that include a protected marine area with a great diversity of marine life. The scenery is spectacular and you can appreciate both the beauty of the sea and of the archipelago.

Worldwide, the Bats Islands are considered one of the best bull shark dive sites. But only advanced certified divers are allowed due to the depths. The Bats are most famous for the chances of seeing the Bull sharks, although during the dive we can also encounter different types of rays, schools of fish including snappers, groupers, grunts in addition to octopuses and pelagic animals.

*Conditions apply: We need a minimum of 4 divers to guarantee a trip. And we require guests to do a local diving trip with Rich Coast Diving prior to booking a trip to Bats Islands.

Dive Insurance is mandatory for diving trip to Bats Islands and it costs only 20 USD per day.

Other Information

Advanced certified divers min. requirement
1 day of local diving prior to the trip required.
Please ensure that you leave sufficient time between diving and your return flight !
Proof of certification is required. You must show your diving license to staff at the store when completing paperwork.
Contact us for pick up from your accommodation and prices
All reservations are confirmed with a deposit only.
We have a 72-hour cancellation policy. If a cancellation is made later the deposit will be non-refundable.
All transfer fees are at the charge of the customer.

What to Bring

Please bring your scuba diving license, towels, cameras (plenty of dry space is available onboard), Credit card or cash for payment, cash for tips or extra services, sunscreen and or a sunhat.

If you are sensative to seasickness we recomend you to take motion sickness tablets before coming on board. Consult the farmacy or doctor if needed. Please note that especially on the way back the ocean can be rough and windy. Resulting in a wet and bumpy ride !

Price

$ 182 USD

Including 13% VAT

2-tank dive & Park fees

*Excluding Equipment rental $30 and Dive insurance $20 USD

Diving Reviews

"Team was absolutely amazing,..and great dive sites. Highly recommended"

Nerina Frachheti

a week ago

We spent six days diving with the Rich Coast group! The instructors, Morgan, Miguel, Ines, Fede, and Daniel, were excellent guides through the different dive sites, were very accommodating, and had a great vibe. Highly recommended! The best part was Captain Carlos, who was very lively before the dives on several days ! READ ON GOOGLE

Advanced Diver Course

With Shark Specialty Course at Bats Islands

SPECIAL OFFER !

*conditions apply

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bats Islands (Murciélago Archipelago) in Costa Rica are famous for offering an unforgettable bull shark diving experience, attracting divers from around the world. All bull shark trips depart from Playas del Coco, a charming beach town in Guanacaste Province.

The easiest way to reach Playas del Coco is by flying into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia Airport – LIR), Costa Rica’s second-largest airport. Liberia is well connected to destinations across North and Central America as well as Europe. From the airport, it’s just a 30-minute drive to the beach town, making it convenient for travelers.

To secure your bull shark diving trip, we recommend booking in advance to guarantee your spot. All trips meet at 6:00 AM at our Rich Coast Diving Center in Playas del Coco and return around 2:00 PM, giving you a full, exciting day exploring one of the Eastern Pacific’s most thrilling dive sites.

While we cannot guarantee sightings of bull sharks during dives at the Bats Islands, these majestic predators are commonly seen in the area. Bull sharks are pelagic animals, which means they can travel long distances and appear unpredictably.

Based on our experience, the chances of seeing bull sharks are very high. Our expert captains and instructors at Rich Coast Diving will guide you to the most promising dive site, known as The Big Scare, where bull sharks are most frequently encountered.

When you do see a bull shark, diving alongside these incredible creatures is truly an unforgettable experience.

Yes! Diving with bull sharks at the Bats Islands (Murciélago) is a safe and natural experience. There is no feeding, and all encounters with these majestic animals are completely natural. While bull sharks are large, gentle creatures, they usually keep several feet away from divers.

The dive site, The Big Scare, is relatively small, with depths ranging from 30–75 feet (10–25 meters). Sharks are generally seen below 60 feet (20 meters). Currents and swells can be strong, so only advanced certified divers are allowed.

Dive insurance is mandatory for all Bats Island trips and costs just $20 USD per day, providing extra peace of mind during this thrilling adventure.

Yes, due the remote location of Murcielagos (Bats Islands) we require that all divers have valid dive insurance before entering the water. Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover diving-related incidents, such as decompression sickness or emergency evacuation.

At Rich Coast Diving, your safety is always our top priority. We dive in small groups (maximum 4 divers per instructor), often with a Divemaster in training assisting. In over 30 years of operation, we’ve proudly maintained an excellent safety record — but being prepared is key.

Having dive insurance ensures that, in the unlikely event of an emergency, you’ll have access to professional medical care, evacuation, and specialized support without financial stress.

We recommend coverage through our trusted partners DiveAssure and DAN World — both known for reliable, worldwide dive insurance and medical assistance.

Not at all! Diving with bull sharks in Costa Rica is very competitively priced compared to other top shark dive destinations. For example, a 2-tank bull shark dive in Florida with equipment can cost around $250 USD. Our Bullshark trips only cost $182 USD including taxes !

At Rich Coast Diving, your trip to the Bats Islands includes:

Diving in small groups (max 4 divers per guide)
Marine Park fees
1.5-hour boat ride to the islands
Expert dive guides
Two dives with snacks and drinks onboard
All taxes included
Optional full dive equipment rental (BCD, mask, fins, regulator, wetsuit)

This makes it a great value for a once-in-a-lifetime shark diving experience.

The Bats Islands (Murciélago) are only accessible to advanced certified divers or equivalent. Conditions around the islands can be unpredictable, with varying currents, swells, and visibility.

Before diving at the Bats, all divers complete a local diving trip to become comfortable with their equipment, weights, and overall diving experience. This ensures a safe and enjoyable bull shark adventure.

Not yet advanced certified? You can complete your Advanced Diver Course along with a Shark Ecology Specialty at Bats Islands, earning two certifications in one incredible trip. Contact us directly at info@richcoastdiving.com for details.

Yes! At Rich Coast Diving, you can rent a GoPro to capture your underwater adventure in high definition. Just let our team know when you check in for your dive.

GoPro rental costs $30 per diving trip, which includes the camera, waterproof housing, and mounting accessories. You can bring your own Micro SD card or use ours.

Just download the GoPro app and after your dive, we’ll help you transfer your footage right to your phone so you can relive and share your diving experience immediately.

Our GoPros are fully waterproof and safe to use for all recreational diving depths around Playas del Coco and the Bats and Catalina Islands.