Virador
Conditions & tides
Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model
Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
Virador, commonly called Turning Point, is a boulder-field dive in the Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica, a short kick from Monkey Head. The two are often paired. The sites in the gulf are a 10 to 20 minute boat ride from Playas del Coco.
The dive starts at about 8 metres (25 feet) and follows a circular boulder formation that reaches the surface, reaching a maximum of 21 metres (70 feet) on the back side. There is so much to see that divers often do not finish the circuit, and when air runs low the guide sends up a surface marker away from the rock.
Moray eels of several species poke their heads out as you drift by. Barberfish and king angelfish follow divers for much of the dive, and spotted eagle rays cruise past. Scorpionfish are common if you can spot them. The season is May to October.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Reef sharkReef sharkReported here · unconfirmed
Moray eelMoray eelReported here · unconfirmed
ButterflyfishButterflyfishReported here · unconfirmed
Sea turtleSea turtleReported here · unconfirmed
AngelfishAngelfishConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Pacific Mottled Shore CrabPachygrapsus sociusReported here · unconfirmed
Panamic Sergeant MajorAbudefduf troscheliiReported here · unconfirmed
Longspined PorcupinefishDiodon holocanthusReported here · unconfirmed
Cortez Rainbow WrasseThalassoma lucasanumReported here · unconfirmed
Acapulco MajorStegastes acapulcoensisReported here · unconfirmed
Racer Mangrove CrabGoniopsis pulchraReported here · unconfirmed
Black-nosed ButterflyfishJohnrandallia nigrirostrisReported here · unconfirmed
Sally Lightfoot CrabGrapsus grapsusReported here · unconfirmed
StingrayStingrayReported here · unconfirmed
ScorpionfishScorpionfishReported here · unconfirmed
SnapperSnapperReported here · unconfirmed
SurgeonfishSurgeonfishReported here · unconfirmed
Eagle rayEagle rayConfirmed present · 4 independent sources
DamselfishDamselfishReported here · unconfirmed
WrasseWrasseReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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