Diving in Isla del Caño: Certified divers, small groups

Turtles, reef sharks and healthy coral in one reserve

Diving in Isla del Caño is a six-hour activity for certified divers exploring the Biological Reserve with small groups and local Divemasters. You descend into warm water to swim alongside turtles, rays and tropical fish around intact coral formations. Full equipment, park admission, lunch, snacks and a cold beer on the beach are included. The guide speaks English or Spanish and children from age 12 can join.

The experience

You arrive at Isla del Caño as a certified diver ready to enter the water. The Biological Reserve sits off the Osa Peninsula and holds some of Costa Rica's healthiest coral and the marine life that depends on it: turtles, reef sharks, rays and dense schools of tropical fish move through the formations you'll explore. Small groups mean the guide can watch each diver and adjust the dive to what the water offers that day, rather than rushing through a fixed itinerary.

A certified Divemaster leads the descent and stays with the group throughout. You use full SCUBA equipment provided on-site, so you travel light and the gear is maintained for the conditions here. The reserve sits in warm water and the dive runs long enough to move through multiple sections and depths, giving you time to settle into the rhythm instead of a quick in-and-out. Between water time, you rest on the beach with lunch, snacks and a cold beer: the operator works with local restaurants so the menu changes and you eat well, not from a cooler.

The reserve itself is protected and the operation respects that: reef-friendly sunscreen only, no touching coral, no chasing animals. You pay the park entrance fee as part of the booking, so there's no separate transaction at the gate. The whole day runs about six hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Full SCUBA equipment.
• admission to the Isla del Caño Biological Reserve.
• lunch from local restaurants.
• snacks and a cold beer on the beach.
• a certified Divemaster guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (19 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Yemanyá Expeditions

Is this one for you?Small groups keep the diver-to-guide ratio low, so the Divemaster can watch each person and adapt the dive to what the water offers that day instead of running a fixed route for a crowd. Book this if you want personalized attention and the freedom to move at your own pace underwater.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

74 verified traveler reviews

5 ★74

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What will I see underwater at Isla del Caño?

Turtles, reef sharks, rays and schools of tropical fish move through healthy coral formations in the reserve. The coral is intact and the marine life is abundant because the area is protected and actively managed.

Do I need to bring my own diving equipment?

No. Full SCUBA equipment is included and provided on-site, so you only need to bring yourself and your certification card.

How long does the diving activity take?

The full experience runs about six hours, which includes time in the water, rest periods on the beach, and meals between dives.

What's included in the price besides the dive itself?

Park admission to the Biological Reserve, full equipment, lunch, snacks and a cold beer on the beach are all included. The guide speaks English or Spanish.