DIVE SITES GOLFO PAPAGAYO-PAPAGAYO GULF
Discover over 15 incredible dive sites in the Papagayo region, all just a short 10–20 minute boat ride from Playas del Coco. Dive into some of the area’s most thrilling locations, including Punta Argentina, Tortuga, Virador, and the iconic Cabeza de Mono (Monkey’s Head).
Each site offers a unique underwater experience, with depths ranging from 30 ft (10 m) to 100 ft (30 m). Whether you’re taking your first breaths underwater or you’re an experienced diver seeking your next adventure, Papagayo has something for everyone.
Our dive trips are designed for exploration and excitement, featuring two dives at different sites per outing, with the option to upgrade to a three-tank adventure. We head out at 8:00 am and return around 12:30 pm—just in time to relax and relive your underwater encounters.
For ultimate convenience, we also offer boat pickups directly from the beach at select resorts, including RIU Guanacaste, Bosque del Mar, Occidental Papagayo, El Mangroove, Casa Conde del Mar, Secrets Papagayo, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, and Four Seasons.
Set off aboard one of our four fully equipped dive boats: Lady Blue, Colonia Claudia, Novesia and Marisol
Each boat is built for comfort and safety, featuring a sunroof, marine radio, GPS, oxygen and first aid kits—and a cooler stocked with refreshing drinks and fresh fruit to keep you energized between dives.
The following is a sampling of PAPAGAYO dive sites:
Punta Argentina – Argentina Point (25-90ft)
Long fingers of rock flow from an offshore island into the deep. Home to frogfish, multitudes of stingrays, and schools of tropical fish so thick that they block out the sun.
Level: intermediate, sometimes current
Tortuga – Turtle (15-70ft)
A sunken fishing boat lays in 60ft (18m) of water near a shark cave where white-tipped reef sharks are often seen taking their afternoon naps. With rock walls into the sand channels, these rock walls provide hiding niches for many types of life.
Level: easy, sometimes current
Virador – Turn around (30-80ft)
This low lying volcanic island plays host to a myriad of life. With a shark cave at 33ft (10m) and large diamond stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks resting at 70ft (22m) this site has something for everyone. Teeming with huge schools of grunts, snapper, king angelfish, and sergeant majors.
Level: easy, sometimes current
Cabeza de Mono – Monkeys Head (30-75ft)
This picturesque volcanic rock has been worn away by the ocean waters until it resembles the head of a gorilla. Just a small sand channel away from Virador, this site is often frequented by large schools of eagle rays and stingrays on their oceanic journeys.
Level: easy
Meros – Groupers (0-60ft)
A beautiful little submerged pinnacle packed full of life. From nudibranchs to prolific schools of grunts to the large giant groupers for which this dive site was named; Meros has a lot to offer. Shallow enough to snorkel and deep enough for a diver to enjoy.
Level: easy
Sorpresa – Surprise (45-110ft)
A deep dive site teeming with fish that form a helix as they wind their way from the ocean floor to the surface. Home to moray eels that measure larger in diameter than a large man´s leg.
Level: advanced, sometimes current
Tiburones – Shark Point (25-100ft)
Rightly named for the white-tipped reef sharks that are usually found on these submerged rock pinnacles. Numerous stingrays lay in the sand parked like cars at a drive-in.
Level: intermediate, often current
Punta Gorda – Fat Point (15-70ft)
Rich in corals on the shallow side of this island and rich in marine life on the deep ocean side. This side features a shark nursery in about 20ft of water.
Level: easy
