The Catalina Islands, located just 25 minutes by boat from Flamingo Bay and 40 minutes from Tamarindo, are a cluster of volcanic peaks off the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Renowned for their nutrient-rich waters, these islands offer some of the best scuba diving in the country, attracting an incredible array of marine life year-round.
One of the main highlights of diving at the Catalina Islands is the chance to encounter giant manta rays, which can reach wingspans of up to 6 meters (20 feet). In addition to these majestic creatures, divers can observe white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, stingrays, turtles, moray eels, octopuses, and enormous schools of tropical fish.