Scuba Diving with Mantas
Catalinas Islands

Amazing Diving experience at the Catalinas Islands in Guanacaste - Costa Rica !

2 tank dive morning departure.
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.

*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 Catalinas trip.

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

About Diving with Mantas

From December to April only. The Catalina Islands are a formation of volcanic pinnacles in the Costa Rican North Pacific Ocean. Conveniently located only 45 min from Playas del Coco. Departure at 6 AM and return around 1 PM.

Thanks to the large continental shelf on the Pacific coast and changing currents that provide nutrients, these islands attract a wide range of marine life including Oceanic Mantas (from November - April), large schools of fish and other pelagic encounters.

*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 Catalinas trip.

Other Information

Please ensure that you leave sufficient time between diving and your return flight !
Proof of certification is required. You must show your diving licence 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.

Price

$ 135 USD

Including 13% VAT
2-tank dive with guide

*Excl. Equipment rental $30 USD and dive insurance $20 USD

2023 August Rich Coast DIving-22_edited.jpg

Guest Reviews

While visiting Costa Rica, our family of seven went on two dives. Rich Coast diving was so great to work with! They were professional, friendly and so helpful.

Even though we’ve been diving for several years, one family member had a recent traumatic experience that has caused him to have panic attacks the minute he gets in the water. We told one of the dive instructors, and he said he would work with him to see if he could help him go on the dive. He told the rest of us to go down with the other instructors while they took it a little slower.

Long story short, our whole family was able to go together! And we’re so glad we did, because, among the other amazing creatures, we saw 6 huge manta rays! SOOOO incredible!

Randee Peirce

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All You need to Know...
Scuba Diving Catalinas Islands, Costa Rica

BLOG - MANTA DIVING

How to get to Catalinas Islands?

The Catalinas Islands are well known for offer a mesmerizing diving experience with one of the ocean's most captivating creatures: the oceanic manta ray. Costa Rica's Catalinas Islands are situated near the beach town of Playas del Coco in Guanacaste Province. The easiest way to get to Playas del Coco is to fly to the international airport of Liberia. Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is Costa Rica's second largest airport and well connected to destinations in north and Central America and Europe. From the airport it is a 30-minute drive to the beach town of Playas del Coco. For bookings you need to make a reservation in advance in order to guarantee your departure. For all our trips we meet at 6 AM at our dive center and return around 1 pm.

When to Dive at Catalinas Islands?

Diving with oceanic mantas in Catalinas Islands is only offered in the manta ray season from November to April. Outside this period, we do not dive at Catalinas Islands as the local dive sites are better, with more diverse marine life and only 10-15 minutes away by boat.

Are Manta ray sightings guaranteed at Catalinas Islands?

Catalinas Islands are one of the few likely places to encounter Manta rays in Costa Rica. Manta Rays are also seen around Bats Islands (Murcielago) but less predictable. It is not guaranteed that you will see manta rays during your dives at Catalinas Islands. Oceanic Mantas are pelagic animals which means that they travel large distances and come and go as they please. Even during the Manta season, we do not see mantas on every dive and there are great variations in sighting during the season and between the seasons. However, our experienced captains and instructors at Rich Coast Diving do know all the good dive spots where they are likely to be found. And when you do see a manta ray, diving alongside these majestic creatures is an experience that you will never forget.

Is diving with Manta rays at Catalinas Islands expensive?

Diving with manta rays at Catalinas Island in Costa Rica is not more expensive than diving with Manta rays in other places around the world. All our trips to Catalinas Islands include diving in small groups (max 4 divers per guide), a 40-minute boat ride to the islands, expert guides, 2 dives, snack and drinks on board. If you do not have your own dive equipment, we do offer full equipment (BCD, Mask, Fins, Regulator, wetsuit).

What Experience level or Scuba certification is required to dive Catalinas Islands?

Catalinas Islands is accessible for divers with Open Water Diver certification. As the conditions around the islands are highly unpredictable and currents, swells and visibility change from day to day we require all divers to do a local diving trip before diving at Catalinas. This way you are comfortable with your equipment, weights and diving experience so you will enjoy your diving at Catalinas.