Many people consider Tortuga Island to be one of the most attractive Costa Rican islands, making it ideal for a day trip from the mainland. Tortuga Island, or Isla Tortuga as the locals call it, is located in the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast and is ideal for kayaking, swimming, diving, and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters surrounding it.

You can spend the entire day lying on the white sand beaches or taking a canopy tour accessible on the Tortuga Island; whichever you choose, you must include this island in your trip plans. The seas around the island are rich in marine life, including bull sharks, octopus, dozens of colorful fishes, angelfish, stingrays, manta rays, and dolphins, making it popular snorkeling and scuba diving destination. There is also a highly intriguing diving site with sunken vessels, but access is only permitted if accompanied by a guide.

The majority of boat cruises to Tortuga Island depart from Playa Jaco, however, journeys to this island may also be found from Playa Montezuma or Puntarenas. The boat journey lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the price varies based on the number of persons on board, whether or not food and drinks are included in the fee, and so on.

Location: Tortuga Island, Costa Rica

Cocos Island, Costa Rica, is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, ranking first in the top ten scuba diving destinations. The island is exceedingly remote, lying in the Pacific Ocean 550 kilometers from the Costa Rican mainland, but it is one of the best places to go scuba diving in the country.

The only way to get to this island is via boat, and the journey from Puntarenas to Isla del Coco takes approximately 36 hours. There are no hotels, hostels, or other lodging choices on the island, so you must sleep aboard the boat.

This minor difficulty, however, does not detract from the island's allure for those who are attracted by nature and marine species. Because most diving places are in the open sea, where currents are rather strong, and diving requires very good skills and expertise, Isla del Coco is suggested to experienced divers.

The waters surrounding the island are teeming with marine life, including reef fish, hammerhead sharks, moray eels, rays and dolphins, and even sea turtles. Cocos Island has been designated a nature reserve since 1978 and a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997 due to its unique ecosystem and abundant biodiversity.

Location: Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Isla del Cano Costa Rica is located near the Osa Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean and is designated as a biological reserve due to its diverse marine life.

It is an excellent spot for diving and snorkeling due to the profusion of marine life; numerous species of colorful fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and even whales can be observed in these waters. The greatest coral reef from Costa Rica's Pacific coast may be found around Isla del Cano, as well as crystal clear waters for outstanding visibility. Because this is a biological reserve, you cannot access these waters as you want, but you must register and attend a guided trip to dive around the island.

Mysterious stone spheres lie on the seafloor, harboring a diverse array of marine creatures; stone spheres about which archeologists have no idea of their importance. It is thought that indigenous cultures used this location as a burial cemetery, although no one knows for certain the origin and use of these stones.

The boat voyage from the mainland to Isla del Cano takes around 45 minutes, and the majority of tours leave from Drake Bay.

Location: Isla del Cano, Costa Rica

Catalinas Islands in Costa Rica are a set of islands and islets that are located incredibly close to Costa Rica's mainland, only 2 to 16 miles away from the mainland, which is around 30 minutes away. The islands are uninhabited, and they can only be reached by day trips from Tamarindo, Flamingo, Playa del Coco, Conchal, or Papagayo. The most convenient method to get to this island is by boat, and we strongly advise you to schedule a snorkeling or scuba excursion that lasts half a day or a full day, depending on your preferences.

Catalinas Islands are regarded as the most accessible and greatest areas for scuba diving due to their proximity to the mainland, and many tourists flock to this island to dive in the crystal blue seas and view marine life. Many species of reef fish, sharks, eels, and turtles, as well as whales, octopuses, and dolphins, can be found here. It is not just a haven for marine life, but also birds, and you can take a birdwatching trip to view and photograph the area's lovely sea birds.

There are over ten different diving spots scattered throughout the island with depths ranging from 40 to 120 feet, where enormous manta rays, sharks, and other intriguing species can be seen in their natural habitat.

Location: Catalinas Islands, Costa Rica

The Bat Islands, also known as Islas Murcielagos, are located near Guanacaste and are part of the Santa Rosa National Park. These islands are well-known for being one of the few spots on the planet where bull sharks may be seen so close to the shore.

The Bat Islands can only be reached by boat, and numerous scuba diving cruises depart from Playas del Coco. It is a 1.5-hour boat journey from Playas del Coco, where the majority of the boat tours depart. Be the first to board the boat to secure the best seat for your ride to the island.

Because the currents are extremely strong and diving here requires some experience, the Bat Islands is very popular among experienced divers. Aside from the legendary bull sharks, you will be able to see humpback whales, dolphins, pilot whales, rays, and a variety of marine turtles.

Location: Bat Islands, Costa Rica