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Diving on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica can be simply described as spectacular. Costa Rica Adventure Divers explores several sites around the small island of Caño . Protected as a biological reserve by the Costa Rican Government, the water surrounding the island is extremely pristine and teeming with life. Twelve miles west of Drake bay, Caño Island offers some of the most exciting diving anywhere in the world. A wide variety of marine life can be discovered beneath the island waters. Perhaps the most memorable encounters occur with the pelagics that inhabit the area. Schools of mobula rays (devil rays), turtles, and white tip reef sharks can be seen on many dives. On almost every dive, the large schools of fish swimming around and overhead can be breathtaking. Sometimes the numbers are so great that sunlight can actually be blocked by these large schools of fish, creating an underwater eclipse. Although not as common, the elusive whale shark and the giant bull shark are often spotted in the area. Water visibility is good and can range from 45-90 feet. Temperatures hover in the upper seventies to low eighties throughout the year and provide for an exquisite diving experience.
Our dive center carries only well serviced, name brand equipment from Sherwood, O'neill, as well as other top brands. We are a certified pure air station. Our PADI instructors can teach courses ranging from basic open water to divemaster and can conduct many specialty courses of interest. All our dive rates can be found on our prices page. |
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Costa Rica Adventure Divers is located in beautiful Drake Bay, along the Osa Peninsula. C.R.A.D. offers a wide range of professional underwater services for the recreational scuba diver. We are proudly the longest established PADI International Resort Association facility in southern Costa Rica. We adhere to PADI's strict regulations regarding safety and quality of service offered. We are also members of the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) and are Diver Alert Network (DAN) sponsors.
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Services Offered: |
Scuba excursions around Caño Island and dive education. With a full time PADI Instructor on staff, we offer a variety of educational services from beginning open water to divemaster. We can also conduct a "resort course" (Discover Scuba Diving) for those who have no experience but who would like to try this exciting sport. |
Night Dives: |
Available on a limited basis from January to June. |
Visibility: |
Excellent!! Varies from site to site but is usually no lower than 40ft and ranges to 100ft plus making it the best in mainland Costa Rica. Averages 60ft plus. |
Temperature Range: |
High 70's to low 80's with thermoclines at varying depth |
Exposure Protection Needed: |
For most people, a 2mm spring suit (shorty) will suffice. If you tend to get cold a full 2mm or 3mm suit will almost always do the job. Our rental department stocks quality O'neill full 3mm suits. |
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Marine Life Encountered Around Caño Island: |
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In one word, abundant!. Humpback, sei, pilot, and false killer whales, over five species of dolphin, white tipped reef sharks, bull sharks, giant pacific manta rays, mobula rays, southern sting rays, spotted eagle rays, green sea turtles, snappers, king angels, moorish idols, trumpet fish, scorpion fish, various types of eels, spiny lobster, octopus, huge schools of barracuda, jacks, grunts, and much more. |
Coral Formations: |
Soft fans and hard coral formations are common but not as colorful or abundant as the Caribbean. |
Currents: |
Usually mild but on some days can be strong |
Dive Staff: |
All boat dives are guided by a certified PADI Instructor or Divemaster. All dive staff are Medic 1st Aid and Oxygen Provider Certified. |
Boats: |
Our boats are small and fast. So you can have a better experience, we limit the number of divers on a boat to no more than 10. Usually we try to keep numbers on any particular boat from 4-6 divers. |
Equipment: |
Rental: Our rental department uses only top quality Sherwood regulators, gauges, BCDs, masks, fins, and snorkels. All wetsuits are O'neill 3mm neoprene. |
Tanks: |
80cu ft (12liter) aluminum. All tanks have current visual and hydrostatic tests. Tanks use regular K-valve (the main type used in the U.S. and throughout N. America). DIN compatible valves are not available at this time. |
Safety: |
Oxygen kit and 1st aid kit on board. |
Compressor: |
Top quality Bauer K-14.
***For your safety, our compressed air is certified for purity every three months by a pure air testing station in the United States..*** |
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Departure Time for Caño Island Dives: |
7:30am |
Return Time: |
Around 2-3 pm |
Average Time to Reach Dive Sights: |
45min - 1hr |
Average Dive Depths: |
45-65 ft (15-20m)
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A Sample of Caño Island Dive Sites Visited by C.R.A.D. |
Click on the Dive Site for More Information
Other Local Dive Sites:
Campenario
Twenty Minute Rock
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The Devil's Pinnicle / Bajo del Diablo |
Average Depth: |
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15-100 ft + (5-33m+) |
Average Visibility: |
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30ft-90ft+ |
Description: |
On a good day, this site is by far the best site in the area and one of the best in the entire country. A huge area with many sub sites. Towering rock pinnacles rise from a depth of over 150ft to just under 20 ft. An incredible maze of peaks and valleys. The best visibility, overall fish life and best place to encounter giant mantas. Snappers and amberjack reaching 70lb, swim along side great schools of barracuda, jacks, reef sharks and a large number of tropical fishes. Many species of eels can be found as well. |
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Other Information: |
The purchase of DAN (Divers Alert Network) Insurance is highly recommended prior to arriving in Costa Rica. Cost for basic coverage is inexpensive (around $35us) and is well worth the price if an unforeseen accident should occur. |
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