Explore Catalina Islands
Catalina Islands are located 12 kilometres off the coast of Northern Guanacaste in Costa Rica on the Pacific Ocean side. This is one of the most popular diving destinations in Costa Rica and definitely deserves this reputation. The islands are of volcanic and sedimentary nature and this is represented in the underwater topography; this area is not known for its large colourful coral reefs, but for its thrilling, volcanic rock formations and high abundance of marine life, big and small. There are caves, caverns and arches to explore here, and some of these rock formations do have some colourful soft corals on them and large schools of colourful fish which brighten up these dive sites. There are many dive centres and dive resorts on the coast of Guanacaste which operate around Catalina Island due to it being such a popular destination. Some of the spectacle species here include Sea Turtles, Giant Pacific Manta Rays and on the luckiest days, Tiger Sharks.
Dive Activity
Diving at Catalina Islands
One of the benefits of Catalina Islands being volcanic rocks is the unique topography they create for divers underwater. Some of the formations they create are large pinnacles, labyrinths made out of multiple pinnacles, caves, canyons, caverns and some stunning arches. There are also some fantastic wall dives to be done here. Currents can pick up here, but that does result in some thrilling drift dives. Due to the high chances of spotting large marine species out in the blue, this is a dream location for underwater photographers who want to capture the larger beauties of the ocean.
Top Wildlife Sightings at Catalina Islands
These nutrient rich waters host numerous marine species of all shapes and sizes. Different seasons mean different marine species in higher numbers. January to March is the best time for rays including Giant Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Bat Rays, Stingray sand Devil Manta Rays. From September to March is the best time to spot Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Whale Sharks, pods of Dolphins and Tiger Sharks. Aside from the many large schools of reef fish, other species here include Sea Turtles, schools of Barracuda, Scorpion Fish, Eels and White Tip Reef Sharks. One of the main spectacles here are the large schools of Manta Rays, it’s not just one that divers spot, but many, all gliding through the water together, this is absolutely a bucket list experience.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
580 Sightings
J
68
F
52
M
71
A
54
M
28
J
28
J
54
A
49
S
29
O
24
N
61
D
62
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
402 Sightings
J
52
F
54
M
158
A
95
M
10
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
6
O
2
N
14
D
10
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
319 Sightings
J
45
F
26
M
62
A
21
M
5
J
3
J
20
A
22
S
18
O
11
N
28
D
58
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
154 Sightings
J
1
F
9
M
10
A
15
M
5
J
12
J
23
A
14
S
6
O
10
N
14
D
35
Alamy/National Geographic Image Collection
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
152 Sightings
J
20
F
13
M
20
A
18
M
0
J
10
J
13
A
17
S
5
O
0
N
19
D
17
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
879 Sightings
J
98
F
73
M
117
A
92
M
46
J
30
J
56
A
60
S
37
O
40
N
91
D
139
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
409 Sightings
J
44
F
48
M
63
A
44
M
30
J
18
J
22
A
18
S
19
O
20
N
41
D
42
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
327 Sightings
J
23
F
29
M
30
A
22
M
11
J
8
J
40
A
44
S
34
O
14
N
37
D
35
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
315 Sightings
J
37
F
55
M
80
A
27
M
0
J
3
J
8
A
13
S
3
O
18
N
54
D
17
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
244 Sightings
J
26
F
18
M
18
A
18
M
4
J
8
J
37
A
33
S
31
O
8
N
35
D
8
The best Months to Dive at Catalina Islands
Due to the Catalina Islands being located so far off the coast, there are fewer factors that affect visibility. Therefore, the visibility is great throughout the year with an average of 20 meters/66 feet. Diving here is possible year-round with pleasant tropical air temperatures and warm water temperatures ranging between 24°C–29°C/75°F–84°F. The rainy season runs from May to November, which means showers in the afternoon but still enough possibility to dive. The dry season from December to April means perfect diving conditions. The best months for seeing a high abundance of different species of rays are January to March.
