Catalina Islands

The Catalina Islands are a group of islands situated northwest of the Tamarindo area along Costa Rica's North Pacific coast, lying roughly 2 to 15 miles offshore. The rocky bottom terrain includes dive sites around the archipelago as well as volcanic pinnacles located just offshore, with depths ranging between 40 and 110 feet (approximately 12 to 35 metres), and a maximum depth of 35.4 metres. Named sites within the area include The Wall, The Point, the Cleaning Station, Cupcake, Four Rocks, and Sombrero East and West.

The nutrient-rich waters support a wide range of marine life, with octopuses, eels, turtles, white-tip reef sharks, and schools of cow nose rays, jacks, and grunts present across the sites. Seasonally, divers may encounter spotted eagle rays, devil rays, and schooling Pacific manta rays from November through April, while humpback whales pass through during late January to February and late July to August. Devil rays and manta rays are also possible depending on the time of year.

Water temperature ranges from 16–30°C (60–86°F) depending on season, with the dry season occasionally pushing temperatures toward the cooler end; thermoclines are common throughout the area. Visibility can fluctuate daily, reaching up to 80 feet (about 24 metres) on good days but dropping to as little as 15–20 feet (4.5–6 metres) under less favourable conditions. A 3 mm wetsuit is commonly used, though some divers opt for a thicker suit based on personal preference and season.