For this tour you will need to drive to Uvita
Person $225
10+ years
Deposit $35
* This tour requires MULTIPLE payments
Caño Island Scuba Tour is your ticket to spectacular dive sites widely praised as some of the best scuba diving in the world, not just the best Costa Rica scuba diving. The Caño Island Biological Reserve is a wonderland of marine life, replete with vibrant coral and stunning aquatic creatures.
Just 32 miles offshore of Uvita Beach and positioned squarely within a massive current of the Pacific Ocean, Isla del Caño draws a diverse population of migratory creatures, such as whales and turtles, to its adjacent environments as well as hosting over 70 indigenous species within its borders. The colorful and majestic living-reef system surrounding the island is replete with marine organisms, including multiple types of Shellfish, Sponges, Mollusks, Arthropods, Fish, Marine Reptiles, and Sea Mammals. Common, Bottlenose, and Spotted Dolphins are regularly seen, as well as White Tip and Reef Sharks. Eagle Rays, Giant Manta Rays, and Moray Eels are also regular sights on many of our dives. If you’re really lucky you might see a Whale Shark or a Humpback Whale, which—while rare—have been spotted during some of our Caño Island Scuba Tours during whale-watching season.
Founded in 1978 as part of the Costa Rican National Park System, “La Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño”, protects 800 acres of land on the island itself and over 14,000 surrounding marine acres. The Caño Island Biological Reserve was one of the very first reserves created for the enormous Costa Rican National Parks, which protects a stunning 25 percent of all the land in Costa Rica and 10 vast stretches of the adjacent Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Caño Island is often referred to as “Mini Cocos Island” due to similarities in their ecosystems, unspoiled state of preservation, well-deserved reputation for water visibility and the diversity of its underwater fauna. Due to strict government policies on the number of daily visitors to the island as well as the number of boats which are allowed to anchor with scuba divers and snorkelers, making reservations as far in advance as possible is strongly recommended.
Leaving bright and early, much of the trip will be spent in transit in full view of the majestic panorama of the Costa Ballena, a unique area of Costa Rica where Pacific Ocean waves lap against the shores of the coastal mountain range. Various sea creatures such as dolphins and whales are regularly seen along the way. Once we arrive at the island, two dives will be performed at different locations. Locations are chosen depending on conditions at the island and the guidance of our knowledgeable Captain and Divemaster. The quantity and sheer diversity of the Costa Rica Marine Life you will encounter on an Isla del Caño Scuba Tour is so truly astounding that you might want to reserve your spot right then for the next day’s tour! We always operate with small groups, keeping your Caño Island Scuba Tour friendly, intimate and safe. If you’re looking for the best Costa Rica scuba diving available, Isla del Caño is where you will find it!
For scuba diving, you generally need some prior experience or at least complete a basic certification. It’s essential to be comfortable in the water and familiar with diving equipment.
Most dive tours provide all necessary equipment, but you should confirm this with the operator. If you have your own gear, it’s a good idea to bring it along if you prefer.
While encounters with marine life are a highlight, there’s no guarantee. The underwater environment can be unpredictable, but the dive sites around Caño Island are known for their rich biodiversity.
We had a great time! We were grateful to be able to take the pool lesson and go scuba diving without certification. Louise Daniel was our instructor and guide. He was a good teacher, and we enjoyed him. I felt very comfortable going down after his lesson, and I felt well taken care of in his hands.
I also paid to have the photographer, whose name was Fi, take pictures for us. This was very valuable for two reasons: first, I was very nervous to take my phone down under water, even though I purchased a waterproof protector. It was nice not to have to worry about that. But second, Fi took me by the hand and personally escorted me to see several things that I would have never seen otherwise. When you go with a group of people, your instructor can’t really do that, so having Fi was very valuable. My favorite part was when Fi showed me an octopus hiding behind a bunch of small rocks. He slowly removed some of the rocks so I could see the octopus snatch them up and cover himself back up. So cool to see!
Word of advice: if you get motion sick, take your medication. The boat rides can be harsh, and you eat your lunch sitting on the anchored boat. Also, I was grateful that they easily accommodated my vegan eating restrictions, and THANK YOU FOR THE UNLIMITED HOT SAUCE!!!
Thanks to the whole crew. The boat drivers, helpers, office personnel, instructors, guides, and photographer, and anyone behind the scenes. They clearly have everything well organized, and the trip ran very smoothly.
Response from Manuel Antonio National Park | Information Center
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing time. It’s great to know that Louise Daniel made you feel comfortable and confident with your lesson and dive.
We appreciate your tip about motion sickness; it’s always good to be prepared for those boat rides. And we’re glad we could accommodate your dietary restrictions and provide plenty of hot sauce!
Thank you again for your kind words about the crew. We work hard to ensure everything runs smoothly, and it means a lot to hear that it made your experience even better. We hope to see you again soon for more underwater adventures!
We had a wonderful time exploring the Cano Islands with Costa Rica surf and dive. They have a really cool outfit right in town that is easy to get to and find. Dana, our instructor for both the pool and open water dive, was very knowledgeable and excited to share all her knowledge with us. Would recommend!
I am a beginning diver. The crew were very professional. The equipment was in great condition. They were very helpful in getting geared up. They also know the area well. While it was cloudy which made for less light for my photos, the experience is one I will never forget. Highly recommend. Would do again, and again, and again…
