Pailas

Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero

Pailas

★★★★☆ (1,020)

Pailas is located 20 minutes from Potrero Beach. We start the dive on the western part of the island and head south following the rock formations. The average depth is 14m, but can exceed 30m if you deviate a little.

There is a cleaning station with the possibility of seeing the mantas during season. Many species of schooling fish and if you go there when the water is cool. Many stingrays can be seen!

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

Become a Scuba Diver: SSI Open Water Diver Training

Become a Scuba Diver: SSI Open Water Diver Training

The SSI Open Water Diver certification is your passport to adventure! Recognized worldwide, this certification allows you to dive safely with a buddy, without professional supervision, to a maximum depth of 18 meters anywhere in the world.At ChrisDiving, we focus on safety, comfort and fun with a team of experienced professionals and personalized coaching.???? Course Data SheetCertification level: Open Water Diver SSI (Valid for life, internationally recognized).Maximum depth: 18 metres / 60 feet.Duration: 3 to 4 days (flexible according to learning needs).Training languages: French, English, Spanish.Location: Playa Potrero / Guanacaste Region, Costa Rica.Instructor/participant ratio : Limited (maximum 4 students per instructor) to guarantee safe learning, optimum comfort and attention at all times.???? PrerequisitesMinimum age: 10 years (divers from 10 to 14 years get Junior Open Water certification).Physical abilities: Be able to swim and float comfortably. Be in good general physical condition (a standard medical questionnaire must be completed before the start of the course).???? Training Environment and ProgramTraining is divided into 3 main progressive stages:Theory (E-learning at home): You study at your own pace on the SSI application or website before arriving at the center. We'll do a review together to validate your knowledge.Practice in a Protected Environment (Pool / Quiet Bay) : You'll learn to master basic equipment and techniques safely where you have a foothold.Natural Environment Dives (Ocean): 4 ocean dives to discover the Guanacaste seabed, apply your skills in real-life situations and perfect your buoyancy.???? Material & Equipment

September 8, 2026 +270 More
$621.50

Potential Wildlife Sightings

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
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
137 Sightings
J
14
F
13
M
17
A
11
M
6
J
7
J
16
A
11
S
7
O
6
N
14
D
15
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
99 Sightings
J
16
F
15
M
34
A
28
M
5
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

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

Eagle Ray
68 Sightings
J
7
F
6
M
13
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
8
A
4
S
0
O
4
N
7
D
17

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

Octopus
26 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
7
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
12
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
247 Sightings
J
25
F
24
M
33
A
29
M
8
J
5
J
19
A
11
S
8
O
12
N
30
D
43

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

Pufferfish
85 Sightings
J
8
F
11
M
17
A
6
M
5
J
2
J
9
A
5
S
2
O
3
N
6
D
11

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

Angelfish
69 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
9
A
0
M
4
J
2
J
15
A
8
S
8
O
2
N
7
D
8

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

Butterfly Fish
52 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
5
J
3
J
12
A
7
S
9
O
2
N
7
D
0

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

Stingrays
47 Sightings
J
0
F
15
M
23
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
7
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
26 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
8
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
4
A
4
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
23 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
7
A
7
S
3
O
3
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
17 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
4
A
0
S
4
O
0
N
6
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
5
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
5
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
7
A
5
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
10
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
14 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
9
A
0
S
3
O
2
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
2
N
5
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
11
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
8
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

iStock-deraugenzeuge
Snake Eel

Snake Eel
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
Garfish

Garfish
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
8
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
6
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

ChrisDiving, Christian Demierre

ChrisDiving, Christian Demierre

Horizon Lodge, Finca la Marcela, Guanacaste, Santa Cruz, 50304 Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
TamaDive Dive Center

TamaDive Dive Center

80 metros este del Banco Nacional, 50309 Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Be water diving Tamarindo

Be water diving Tamarindo

Calle cruz sin numero., 50309 Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Dive Sites Nearby

Mares
Punta Catalina (★4.1)

Punta Catalina (★4.1)

Punta Catalinas is located on the south point of the Catalinas Islands. It’s the main site where Oceanic Manta Rays can be seen in the winter months. The site slopes down to about 30m/100ft if you swim out a bit.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
South Point shallow (★4.2)

South Point shallow (★4.2)

The dive site is on the south east of the Catalina Islands. It’s generally a shallow dive site except at the end it’s possible to dive down to around 25 meters but it’s generally nicer to stay shallow.
ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Catalinas Island, Clásico (★4.3)

Catalinas Island, Clásico (★4.3)

11 km west of Potrero and Flamingo is the famous site of Clasico. This dive is done on the western side of the islands, from the south towards the north. There are successive ripraps. Several ways to dive possible, depending on certification level. From 10m to more than 30m.
ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Catalinas Island, North (★4.3)

Catalinas Island, North (★4.3)

Catalinas Island, North is the perfect site for beginners, sheltered from the main currents. North is located 11km from Flamingo on the East coast of the island. The dive is from the middle of the Island to the North point.