 Scuba dive among some of the most abundant
marine life anywhere in the world. 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. Nine miles west of the Lodge, 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 pelages that inhabit the area.
Porpoises, schools of rays and white tip reef sharks can be seen on many
dives. On almost every dive, 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 shy hammerhead 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 service, name brand equipment from
Sherwood, US Divers, as well as other top brands. Our PADI certified
instructor can teach courses ranging from basic open water to dive
master and can conduct any specialty course of interest.
 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 currently the only
PADI International Resort Association facility in the Drake Bay
vicinity. 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.Features, Equipment and Sightings
 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 dive master.
Night Dives: Available on a limited
basis
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 80's to low 70's with thermo-clines at varying
depths.
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 Henderson
full 3mm suits.
Marine Life
Encountered Around Caño Island: In one word, abundant!.
Humpback Whales, Dolphins, Reef Sharks, Giant Manta Rays, Mobula
Rays, Sting Rays, Sea Turtles, Groupers, Snappers, Angels, Moorish
Idols, Trumpetfish, various types of Eels,
 Crustaceans, huge schools
of Barracuda, Jacks, Grunts, and much more.
Coral Formations:
Soft 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 Dive master.
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 8. 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 Henderson 3mm neoprene.
Tanks: 80cu ft (12liter)
aluminum. All tanks are less than 1yr old and 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.
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: 60ft - 80ft
Dive Sights
 El Bajo Del Diablo (The Depth of the
Devil): The best site by far in the area and one of the
best in the entire country. A huge area with many sub sites.
Towering rock pinnacles rise from over 150ft to just under 20 ft.
the best visibility, overall fish life and the best place to
encounter Giant Mantas. An incredible maze of peaks and valleys.
Groupers, snappers and amberjack reaching 70lb, swim along side
great schools of tuna, barracuda, reef sharks and a large number of
different tropical fishes. More than 4 species of eels can be found
as well.
Cueva Del Tiburon (Shark Cave):
A small cave that is home to you guessed it, sharks! Other
inhabitants include angels, butterfly, damsels and parrotfish.
Moorish idols, puffers, sturgeonfish, and occasional mantas and
stingrays.
 A very exciting dive. Los Arcos (The
Arches): Unique rock formations formed in the shape of
arches. Swim through these towering underwater arches and see fish
life similar to the Shark Cave due to its close proximity. El Barco
(The Wreck): No wreck here, only a variety of rock formations with
the areas most plentiful hard corals. Fish life profuse and a great
dive to encounter white tip reef sharks, stingrays, and an
occasional sea turtle.
Paraiso (Paradise):
Prolific
fish life. Excellent site to view white tip reef sharks. Large
schools of big groupers, snappers, tuna, and rooter fish can be
found here as well as a number of smaller species mentioned
earlier.
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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Scuba Diving Information
