Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio diving/dive ops

[UCFKnightDiver]

Thankyou PVD and Missdirected for the help and great information

Ryan

 

[Missdirected]

Thanks for the clarification PVD.

 

[mazerino]

I just got back from CR, where I dove with Oceans Unlimited. They were very friendly and knowledgeable. Visibility wasn't great, probably 4 meters, but it was an enjoyable dive. Manuel Antonio is a beautiful place in general. Be sure to spend a day exploring the national park.

 

[Missdirected]

I just got back from CR, where I dove with Oceans Unlimited. They were very friendly and knowledgeable. Visibility wasn't great, probably 4 meters, but it was an enjoyable dive. Manuel Antonio is a beautiful place in general. Be sure to spend a day exploring the national park.

What did you get to see? Rays, whales, sharks?

 

[mazerino]

Nothing too big or exciting. We saw a lot of lobsters, starfish and an octopus. There was a sea turtle swimming in the area, but we didn't see him underwater unfortunately.

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

vis was around 12 feet? thats not too good.... does it get better than that usually around july?

 

[Pura Vida Diver]

As the seasons in CR are inverse from those in the US we are starting to come in to the "green season". More rain is on the way as a result and this will affect visibility somewhat from now until September when the real rains come. That being said, we find that the reduction in visibility due to rain is proximal. Rain usually only affects viz until the tide starts to rise again. Moon, tide and offshore weather is what really affects visibility and water temperature here. If you visit and dive during periods of full moon and higher tides you will likely have reduced visibility and cooler water.

As an aside, this is diving in the Pacific ocean, not the Carribean. My experience is that many visiting divers expect stellar visibility and a constant parade of spectacular animals on cue. Although we get almost daily sightings of Humpback whales, rays, dolphins, turtles and sharks we still have yet to get them to accomodate our schedule all the time. We are still working on it. Truth be known this is a different part of the world with different ocean conditions and ecology than the placid waters many divers visiting here are used to. We rarely get comments about poor visibility from divers from the west coast, Canada, Europe and many other parts of the world with similar conditions.

 

[Missdirected]

Although we get almost daily sightings of Humpback whales, rays, dolphins, turtles and sharks we still have yet to get them to accomodate our schedule all the time. We are still working on it.

Maybe you aren't paying them enough? :wink1:

Keep up the good work PVD. Me - I'd rather be in CR seeing the big stuff and the lil stuff rather than no stuff like many other places. They can keep the perfect water that has no fish IMO

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

Sorry didnt mean to sound in a way snobish any day diving is awesome imo I dont mind the lower vis at all and sometimes tend to enjoy it as long as I am wet. was just curious is all never really been diving in the Caribbean unless you consider West Palm Beach Florida that. The only thing I do hate is the cold!!!!! what are the water temps like in July? Got to bring the right protection!!!!

 

[Pura Vida Diver]

No offense taken, we just like folks to know that the diving conditions here are different, just like many other areas of the world.

Temps this time of the year have been in the early eighties on the surface. Thermoclines can be encountered though so plan for a three mil full suit, gloves and a hood help also, just in case.