Cano Island, Costa Rica

Cano island is known as the best place to scuba dive in Costa Rica, except for Cocos Island. However, Cano is much more accessible, and there are many dive resorts and dive companies that can take you from Drake Bay or other areas in the Osa Peninsula to the dive sites.

Come explore the tropical paradise of Cano Island located just 12 km off the coast of Costa Rica. The island is known for its tropical forests and amazing marine life. While taking a short ferry to the island there is a possibility of witnessing the joyful play of dolphins or even during the migration season, which is July through February, the majestic humpback whales. Once arriving to your destination the island is surrounded by beautiful reefs for snorkel or scubaadventures. The snorkelers can enjoy the many species of marine life while the scuba divers have the pleasure of exploring under water caves, canyons and cliffs. Cano Island has been declared one of the best dive sites in the world.

Cano Island and its natural beauty give you beautiful 15 foot reefs to explore. Here you will find head corals, cup corals, and sea fans. This destination for scuba divers has been kept from harm due to it being controlled and regulated as a Biological Reserve. The control limits how many divers are allowed into its waters and which areas can be explored. Due to it being protected, removal of any marine life, coral or shells is prohibited. There is no disappointment or lack of shark sightings. Most divers come away with memories of seeing sharks in these waters which range in sizes of up to ten feet. Stingrays, dolphins, turtles and morays are also popular in this destination.

Cano Island seen from above

Paraiso

Blue Stripe Snappers rule this spot. This is a good spot for the intermediate skilled diver with depths around 65 feet. While in the waters a diver may feel the eyes of barracuda on them, but they are there are not there to bother thescuba diver they are following the many horse-eye jacks. The large amberjacks that frequent this spot have no problem coming right up to a diver to wonder why they are there. Other regular residents in this spot are eels; parrot fish, puffers and sometimes the sting ray will make an appearance.

Bajo Del Diablo

This location is known for its canyons and volcanic mounds and is for the intermediate scuba diver. The diving depth here is anywhere from 20 to 80 feet. The bull sharks and white-tip reef sharks tend to patrol this spot so for the shark loving diver it is paradise. Through the summer months which are February to June manta rays that have 15-20 foot widths come to be seen. The other marine life that is populating this area are barracudas, horseye jacks, dog tooth snappers and some of the tropical species like damsels, king angel fish, and puffers.

Cueva Del Tiburon

This site is located just a short distance from the ranger station where you started. The location is for the intermediate diver and has depths around 50 feet. This is where a diver looking for adventure can enter into the “shark cave” which is forty foot deep and seven foot high and is the home for white-tip sharks. Also swimming around in the cave with the curious diver are diamond stingray and boxfish. Around this location at the right time of year there is a possibility that pilot whales and sailfish can be seen. Other tropical friends in these waters are box fish, Moorish idols, goat fish, damsels and puffers.

El Arco (The Arch)

This diving location is for the intermediate scuba diver and has depths of 60 feet. The marine life that can be found here is quite similar to that in the “shark cave” such as sharks, sting rays and boxfish along with the tropical fish.

Marenco Rock

This site is the closest location to the mainland. For the newbie diver it may bring the most comfort knowing you are not far from solid ground. This site offers a little bit different viewing. Black corals are in this area and also calling it home are the snappers and grunts with the sporadic visit of a non-stinging big jelly fish.

Campanrio (Bell Tower)

This diving site is very close to the Corcovado National Park which is a collection of pinnacles that are swarming with schools of tropical fish. The rocks under the water are positioned in a way that it is the perfect home for the lobster. Also in this dive zone are barracudas, horseye jacks, snappers, and the occasional rooster fish.

Costa Rica has been a much loved destination for many scuba divers across the world. It is known for its majestic waters, reef fish and other marine life. All the exotic dive sites take a diver into a different underwater world full of alluring mystique and adventure. The dive locations around Cano Island range from 20 feet for the intermediate diver to 120 feet for the skilled diver. Water currents can range from mild to strong but no dive is allowed in dangerous conditions. Come visit Cano Island and leave with memories to last you lifetime.

Isla de Cano Diving Video