Costa Rica is a country with rugged terrain, a scenic landscape and a beautiful coastline that is dotted with an amazing marine life with various spots that are best for snorkeling in Costa Rica, a once in a lifetime experience that will knock your brains out. The shallow waters and the crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean coast provide an excellent opportunity to explore the magical marine life of Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s marine life is dotted with vibrant coral reefs, volcanic rock formations, shark caves, and shipwrecks that are like a treasure trove, an entirely different world to explore underwater.
Get your snorkeling gear ready to plan a trip to Costa Rica and unravel the beautiful ocean territory which is awe-inspiring and flourishing with a beautiful marine life that awaits you. Costa Rica offers some of the best spots for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and lot many other water sports activities that you’re going to enjoy on your blissful vacation to this country. Read on to know more about the most impressive snorkeling and scuba diving spots that are available for all different levels of divers and swimmers that can be found on both the Caribbean and Pacific coast.
6 Best Spots For Snorkeling In Costa Rica
Snorkeling is an amazing water sport activity that lets you witness the whimsical underwater world and the aquamarine life that is very awe-inspiring and a treat to the eyes. Witness the magical aquatic creatures swimming right past you, and learn about the marine life up and close at these best spots for snorkeling in the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
1. Cahuita National Park, Limon Province
Cahuita National Park is where you’ll witness the most extensive coral reefs on the eastern coast of the country. The vibrant coral reefs and a large group of fishes swimming past you are a spectacle to watch, you can also witness giant barramundi, stingrays and reef sharks. White sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a diverse marine life await you in Cahuita National Park located in the province of Limon. Get to know the best-preserved coral reef in the Costa Rican Caribbean and enjoy the landscape of this beautiful country.
Location: Cahuita National Park, Av. 71 215, Limón, Costa Rica
Timings: 8 am – 4 pm
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2. Snorkel Adventure Costa Rica
Enjoy an exhilarating snorkeling session of about one hour where you will be submerged into the water and snorkel around the volcanic rocks. This beach stands out for a variety of fish and marine species located along the coast of Manuel Antonio which is approximately two hours away from Marina Pez Vela of Quepos. You will be transported to the snorkeling site in a 31 ft boat and snorkel around the Biezans beach. After a break of indulging in some fruits and water to re-energize yourself, you will be taken to another snorkeling site where you will witness different species altogether. Carry a bathing suit, a towel and sunscreen with you as you’ll be spending the entire day out in the sun.
Location: Snorkel Adventure Costa Rica, Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica
Timings: 9 am – 6 pm
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3. Isla del Cano
Described as the most beautiful island in the world, this UNESCO world heritage site is the most exotic marine park and counted as one of the top diving destinations in the world where you can endure a diving adventure and snorkel for hours. Witness the exquisite marine life and the magical aquatic creatures swimming right past you. Isla del Cano is an island that is known for best scuba diving spot, it’s meant only for experienced divers with a keen interest in exploring the underwater world. The island is famous for different types of sharks, whales, dolphins, stingrays, and scalloped hammerheads. The island is accessible only by boat and the ride from the coast till the island is absolutely breathtaking, you’ll spot the vibrant colours splashing in the water as and when the boat is getting closer to the shore.
Location: Isla del Cano, Osa, Costa Rica
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4. Cocos Island National Park
A stunning island located 50 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Cocos Island National Park is listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site which makes for an ideal spot for divers to enjoy the underwater world of this national park. You can go on a scuba diving or snorkeling excursion and enjoy swimming past more than 1,500 marine species, admire a magnificent ecosystem that is dotted with beautiful coral reefs and rock formations. You’ll get to witness exciting pools of hammerhead sharks, parrotfish, stingrays, moray eels, angelfish and various unique species in all possible colours flashing across your naked eyes in the crystal clear blue waters of the Cocos Island National Park.
Location: Cocos Island National Park, approximately 550 km off the shore of Costa Rica
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5. Marino Ballena National Park
The Marino Ballena National Park is the Cahuita National Park of the Pacific coast. With over 13,00 acres of the protected marine park, the Marino Ballena National Park has the largest coral reef system that hosts an abundance of scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts who come to voyage the waters of this national park to witness a myriad of aquatic creatures. The island is famous for the humpback whales and they’re quite a common phenomenon here as both Northern and Southern humpback whales congregate off the Pacific coast to mate from December to April. You can go on a whale watching adventure in Costa Rica and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marino Ballena National Park.
Location: Marino Ballena National Park, Bahia Ballena, Provincia de Puntarenas, Uvita, 60504, Costa Rica
Timings: 7 am – 4 pm
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6. Gandoca – Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge
Known to be one of the best snorkeling spots on the Caribbean coast, this is a popular spot again amongst divers and snorkeling enthusiasts, the sea lovers and the water babies looking for a perfect opportunity to dive into the ocean waters and witness a miracle. The shallow coral reefs, little islands, the white sand and turquoise clear water of the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge all blend in to create a perfect opportunity to explore the magical underwater world and the beautiful marine life. Let the magic unfold in front of your eyes as these whimsical creatures swim past you. A myriad of colourful tropical fishes, corals, dolphins and sea turtles will bless you with their presence in this beautiful wildlife refuge.
Location: Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, 36, Limón Province, Costa Rica
Timings: 8 am – 4 pm
Best Time For Snorkeling In Costa Rica
The climate in Costa Rica is marked by two distinctive seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season lasts from December to April and the rainy season lasts from May to December respectively. The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season when the visibility is maximum on the Pacific Coast.
The climate is unusual for the Caribbean Coast, it rains almost throughout the year. September and October are the best months to snorkel around the Caribbean coast.
Further Read: 10 Hot Springs In Costa Rica To Rejuvenate Yourself On A Relaxing Vacation
When the turquoise clear waters and the white sand meet, it creates a picture perfect moment that is meant to be cherished and loved. This is what the coast of Costa Rica does look like, dotted with a beautiful marine life comprising of vibrant coral reefs, a myriad of fish species, shakes, whales and stingrays, the islands of Costa Rica boasts several spots that are perfect for snorkeling in Costa Rica. Witness unique aquatic creatures as you indulge in snorkeling and get mesmerized by the underwater world of Costa Rica on the Caribbean and Pacific coast respectively and its different spectrums. Enjoy a blissful vacation in Costa Rica as you unravel the stunning coastline, on a quest to find the magical creatures of the underwater world.
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Being an army kid, Yashasvi has had a fair share of traveling around the country and collecting erratic experiences in her little adventure jar. Choosing to follow her heart and combining her passion into a full-time job, she has been writing blogs about travel, lifestyle, and food for 2 years.
