World of Diving & Adventure Vacations - Scuba Diving, Island Vacations, Diving Packages, Live-Aboards, Adventure Travel

The best land-based diving occurs on the Northwest Pacific coast in the Gulf of Papagayo and the Catalina Islands. Average visibility ranges from 30-50 ft with most sites centered around volcanic rock formations, as there is very little hard coral. Water temperature ranges from 75 to 78 degrees from mid-May to mid-December and can dip down to 70 degrees during the rest of the year. In addition to the incredible marine life described below, there have been sightings of whale sharks, spinner dolphins, humpback whales, pilot whales, orcas, false killer whales and schools of Mobulas and cow-nosed rays. Here are some of our favorite sites…

TORTUGA
10-80 ft
A 45 ft metal ship once used for commercial fishing is now home to grunts, snappers, frog fish, groupers and eels. A search of the sandy channels in the vicinity of the wreck could lead to some very interesting discoveries…red & orange branched corals, scorpion fish, white tip reef sharks, puffers, eagle rays, southern sting rays and parrot fish are all possibilities.

SORPRESA
50-110 ft
This underwater rock formation covered in snowflake and yellow floral coral attracts a large number of juvenile Mexican hogfish who in turn attract big eyed jacks, spade fish, rainbow runners, southern sting rays, white tip reef sharks, schools of grunt and snapper, spotted eagle rays, green panamic morays and spotted green eels.

VIRADOR
25-80 ft
The intricate coral communities and diversity of marine life surrounding this rock formation make it a very popular dive site. Enjoy schools of grunt and snapper, parrot fish, yellow tail surgeons, big eyed jacks, puffers, eagle rays, seahorses, clown shrimp, green panamic eels, jewel eels, snowflake eels and cleaning stations of butterfly fish.

PUNTA BALLENA
25-90 ft
Cleaning stations of rainbow wrasse are the highlight here. Participating or just swimming by will be spade fish, grunts, scorpion fish, green panamic morays, southern sting rays, soldier fish, white tip reef sharks and rainbow runners.

MEROS
10-45 ft
This shallow dive is perfect for spotting “small stuff”. Nudibranchs, butterfly fish, jewel eels, green panamic morays, sea urchins, round rays, red eyed gobies, blennies, three-banded butterfly fish, scorpion fish and schools of grunt and snapper can be found in, on and around this rock formation.

OJARANES
35-100 ft
Big Swells & Strong Currents
This colorful group of pinnacles off the Bat Islands extends up to the surface and is home to schools of big eyed jacks and grunts, snappers, eagle rays, southern sting rays, white tip reef sharks and big cleaning stations of king angel fish.

SAN PEDRILLO
35-130 ft
Big Swells & Strong Currents
This popular dive site off the furthest west rock formation of the Bat Islands is known as the “Big Scare” due to the hair-raising interactions with bull sharks that can be had. You’ll also see Mantas, schools of jacks, yellow fin tuna, rainbow runners, octopus, eagle rays and cleaning stations of butterfly fish.

PUNTA GORDA
10-85 ft
Shallow waters and unique coral formations provide just the right environment for grunts, scorpion fish, white tip reef sharks, southern sting rays, round rays, eagle rays, devil rays and sea horses.

TRANQUILO
20-80 ft
Sandy channels house scorpion fish, grunts, white tip reef sharks, spade fish, green panamic eels, southern sting rays, nurse sharks and turtles.

LA PUNTA
45-110 ft
Big Swells & Strong Currents
This point off the Catalina Islands provides magical encounters with mantas and golden rays thanks to the rainbow wrasse cleaning stations and the Mexican hogfish that attract these majestic creatures. White tip reef sharks, scorpion fish, grunts, spade fish, green panamic eels, southern sting rays and spotted eagle rays may also be found.

All photos courtesy of Ocotal Beach Resort