Catalina Islands Diving Tour from Tamarindo: 2 Dives & Pickup

Summary

Early morning dives at Catalina Islands with marine life encounters

You’ll start early in Tamarindo, suit up at the dive shop, then ride out by boat for two guided dives at Catalina Islands—with snacks between sites and plenty of marine life along the way. Expect close-up views of rays or turtles (sometimes even dolphins), plus friendly local guides who make everything feel easy—even if your Spanish isn’t great.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the wetsuit to feel so snug at 6:40 am—maybe it was just nerves or the way Tamarindo Beach still felt half-asleep. There were only five of us at the dive center, quietly sipping coffee while our guide, Diego, checked our certifications (I almost panicked thinking I’d forgotten mine—thank god for smartphone photos). The sand was cool underfoot as we walked to the boat. Someone cracked a joke about looking like penguins in our gear; I laughed harder than I should have.

The boat ride out to Catalina Islands took about 45 minutes. It was louder than I thought—wind whipping past, gulls overhead, and every now and then Diego would point out dolphins or rays flipping out of nowhere. The salt air stuck to my skin. At one point, someone handed me pineapple slices—so sweet they made my teeth ache. I remember thinking how weirdly calm I felt watching the horizon bounce up and down. Diego told us stories about local divers spotting manta rays “the size of cars.” Not sure if he was exaggerating but it made me hope we’d see something wild.

Diving itself—well, that’s hard to describe without sounding dramatic. The water around Catalina Islands is colder than you expect but clear enough that you catch flashes of silver and black before your brain catches up: turtles gliding by, eagle rays moving like shadows over rocks. My mask fogged up once and I nearly missed a white-tip shark weaving through coral. Between dives we snacked on fruit and swapped stories; someone tried to pronounce “pargo” (snapper) in Spanish and Diego just grinned—he’s patient like that.

We got back to Flamingo Beach around lunchtime, hair stiff with salt and everyone a little sunburned despite all the sunscreen talk earlier. It’s funny—I keep replaying that first silent drop into blue water in my head when things get noisy back home. If you’re certified and want a day trip from Tamarindo that feels both relaxed and kind of electric at the same time…this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Diving trip to Catalina Islands

• Meet at diving center at 6:40 am
• Try wetsuit and fins
• Complete paperwork
• Go to beach and board boat
• Boat trip to Catalina Islands (45 min)
• Dive at first location
• Dive at second location
• Enjoy snacks and soft drinks on boat
• Return around 12:30 pm

Top questions

Do I need scuba certification for this Catalina Islands diving tour?

Yes, proof of scuba diving certification is required for all participants on this tour.

Is pickup included from hotels in Tamarindo?

Pickup can be arranged upon request from Tamarindo or Langosta.

How long is the boat ride from Tamarindo to Catalina Islands?

The boat ride takes approximately 45 minutes each way.

What marine animals might I see during the dives?

You may see turtles, eagle rays, sharks, manta rays, and sometimes dolphins near the boat.

Are snacks or drinks provided on board?

Yes, snacks like fruit and soft drinks are offered between dives on the boat.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour returns around 12:30 PM to Flamingo Beach after diving at Catalina Islands.

Can beginners join this diving trip?

No, this tour is for certified divers only due to depth and conditions at Catalina Islands.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning meetup at Tamarindo Beach with wetsuit fitting at the dive shop before heading out by boat (with all scuba equipment provided), two guided dives at different Catalina Islands sites led by a divemaster guide, fresh fruit snacks and soft drinks between dives, plus optional pickup from Tamarindo or Langosta if you need it.