Scuba Diving with Mantas 
Catalinas Islands

The Catalina Islands (Las Catalinas) are located off Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast near Playas del Coco in Guanacaste Province. The easiest way to reach us is by flying into Liberia International Airport (Daniel Oduber Quirós Airport – LIR), Costa Rica’s second-largest airport, which offers direct connections from North America, Central America, and Europe. From Liberia Airport, it’s only a 30-minute drive to Playas del Coco.

All manta ray diving trips with Rich Coast Diving require advance reservations. We meet at 6:00 AM at our dive center and return around 1:00 PM after two unforgettable dives.

The manta ray season in Costa Rica runs from November to April, when the oceanic manta rays migrate through the Catalina Islands.

Outside this period, we usually dive at local sites closer to Playas del Coco that offer better visibility, calmer seas, and abundant marine life only 10–15 minutes away by boat.

If your main goal is diving with oceanic mantas, plan your trip during this November–April window for the best chance of sightings.

Manta ray sightings at the Catalina Islands are not guaranteed, as these are pelagic animals that travel long distances and appear unpredictably.

However, during the manta season, the chances of encounters are very good, and our experienced captains and instructors know the best dive sites and cleaning stations where mantas are frequently seen.

When you do encounter an oceanic manta, gliding gracefully overhead, it’s a truly unforgettable experience that makes diving in Costa Rica world-class.

Yes, diving with manta rays at the Catalina Islands is completely safe. These gentle giants are filter feeders that pose no threat to divers. Encounters are natural and non-feeding, allowing you to observe the mantas’ graceful behavior up close while maintaining respectful distance.

Our professional dive guides ensure safe and environmentally responsible manta interactions that follow international marine life guidelines.

Yes, due to their remote location 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.

Diving at the Catalina Islands offers great value compared to other famous manta destinations around the world.

All Rich Coast Diving trips include:

- Two-tank dive at Catalina Islands - Small groups (maximum 4 divers per guide) - 40-minute boat ride each way - Certified dive guides - Fruits, cake, water and Iced-tea on board

Full equipment rental (BCD, regulator, mask, fins, wetsuit) is available if you don’t bring your own.

The Catalina Islands are accessible to divers with at least an Open Water Diver certification or equivalent. Because ocean conditions can change quickly—currents, swells, and visibility—we require all divers to do a local dive with us before joining a Catalina Islands trip.

This ensures you’re comfortable with your gear, buoyancy, and conditions so you can fully enjoy your manta ray diving adventure.

Besides manta rays, divers at Catalina Islands often encounter:

• Spotted eagle rays

• White-tip reef sharks

• Large schools of jacks and grunts

• Turtles

• Moray eels

• Octopus

• Colorful tropical fish and healthy marine life

Every dive at the Catalinas is unique and filled with surprises!

Due to the deeper depths where manta rays are typically found at the Catalina Islands and the often challenging surface conditions, snorkelers cannot join these trips. We prioritize safety and comfort for all our guests, and therefore cannot guarantee a safe or enjoyable snorkeling experience during our manta ray diving excursions.

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.