Diving in Guanacaste
Tourism Chamber of Guanacaste features Diving Tour at the sunny side of Costa Rica.
SCUBA Diving and snorkeling are activities that consist of swimming underwater to enjoy the different views of submarine life and plants. SCUBA diving uses a breathing apparatus or scuba set that permits a longer stay underwater and deeper submersion. By carrying a source of breathing gas, usually a compressed air, the scuba diver is able to stay underwater for long periods of time. The SCUBA diver usually swims underwater by using fins attached to the feet.
SCUBA diving with air is considered a recreational sport, and the dive is limited to -40 m of depth. The use of a special mixture of gases (known as Heliox, Nitrox and Trimix) and the Surface Supply Dive allow deeper dives, yet require special training, licenses and permits because of its risks. However, a professional SCUBA diver can reach depths of -100 m or more.
The equipment necessary for SCUBA diving consists on, the gas tank, a harness, a buoyancy compensation device, a system of valves, a system of ballast, pipes and mouthpiece (s) that conform what’s called the regulator; also a series of series of measuring devices that tell depth and pressure of air left (depth gauge and pressure gauge).
In snorkeling the diver submerges underwater using a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimming fins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn. Combining these tools allows the snorkler to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.
Snorkeling and SCUBA diving are fun and safe activities, yet they present great risks that should be assumed by the participant. An adequate preparation, the familiarity with the equipment, the knowledge and application of the measures of security, a minimum of physiological and technical know-how and the respect aquatic fauna are minimum requirements for a safe dive.
Costa Rica offers great underwater adventures that go from coral reefs to islands at deep sea. These diverse places are rich in maritime life, where you easily find giant manta rays, sea turtles, colorful angel fish, intertwined coral reefs, jelly fish, the curious dolphins and in rarely occasions, the whales.
The Pacific offers the best diving in the country, with less reefs and a full supply of larger fish. The most popular diving spots are located in the northwest, where diving centers can be found in Coco beach, Ocotal and Hermosa. Diving trips take you to Culebra Bay and Murcielago Island, where sharks and manta rays are commonly found. The best conditions of water temperature and visibility are from June to September, although conditions can change depending on the day.
The National Refuge of wildlife “Curú” and the touristy complexes of Tambor beach and Montezuma beach offer good conditions for snorkeling. Also, this sport can be practiced in the outskirts of the second beach of the Manuel Antonio National Park and near the points and islands between Dominical and the National Marine Park Ballena. But the best snorkeling of the pacific coast is found in some of the underwater reefs near El Cano Island. Contrary to the northwest, the best visibility of the water in the outskirts of this island is found during the dry season, where the water tends to be a lot clearer.