Scuba diving in Costa Rica
Diving in Costa Rica comes down to water temperature and calm seas. The most comfortable months are November to April, with highs around 93°F (34°C) and the sea at about 82°F (28°C).
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
Top scuba diving in Costa Rica
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How to pick a good dive
- Non-certified divers can try a 'discover scuba' dive with an instructor; certified divers should bring their card and logbook.
- Ask about the water temperature and the wetsuit thickness provided for that month.
- Leave 18 to 24 hours between your last dive and a flight.
- Check group size per guide; four to six divers per guide is a good sign.
Costa Rica month by month
Averages for Liberia, Costa Rica; sea temperatures offshore, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 92 (33) | 94 (34) | 96 (35) | 97 (36) | 93 (34) | 90 (32) | 90 (32) | 90 (32) | 88 (31) | 88 (31) | 89 (32) | 91 (33) |
| Low °F (°C) | 69 (21) | 70 (21) | 71 (22) | 73 (23) | 74 (23) | 74 (23) | 73 (23) | 73 (23) | 72 (22) | 72 (22) | 71 (22) | 70 (21) |
| Rainy days | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 6 | 2 |
| Sea °F (°C) | 81 (27) | 81 (27) | 81 (27) | 83 (29) | 84 (29) | 84 (29) | 84 (29) | 84 (29) | 84 (29) | 83 (28) | 82 (28) | 82 (28) |
| Sunset (15th) | 5:34 pm | 5:45 pm | 5:47 pm | 5:47 pm | 5:50 pm | 5:58 pm | 6:02 pm | 5:54 pm | 5:37 pm | 5:20 pm | 5:11 pm | 5:18 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for scuba diving in Costa Rica?
November to April. Expect highs around 93°F (34°C) and the sea at about 82°F (28°C). The least comfortable months are September and October, when the sea drops to about 81°F.
How warm is the water in Costa Rica?
The sea averages 81°F (27°C) in February and 84°F (29°C) in May. It stays warm enough to swim in without a wetsuit all year.
Where can I book scuba diving in Costa Rica?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
