Las Islas Catalinas Islands are very popular in the north of Guanacaste. After the Murcielago or Bat Islands, they are also considered the second best site in the region. The Islands are only 45 minutes from the Guanacaste Coast, and from Papagayo we reach them in about 45 minutes. The islands are covered by scarce cactus vegetation and plants adapted to the heat, and the vertical walls of the island fall directly into the blue waters of the Pacific. Water temperatures in Catalina are usually cooler during the dry season (December to May) and warmer during the rainy season which runs from May to November.
The Tour includes boat transfers from the hotel, equipment, drinks and diving guide. The tour leaves at about 07:15 AM and returns around 1 - 1 30 PM. It includes two tanks. Some of the species that can be seen are white tip reef sharks, groups of different species of rays, including eagles, less frequent the giant manta ray, less frequent the whale shark, as well as large species, such as groupers, snappers, Jack , barracudas, wahoos and many species of colorful reef fish, including the surgeon, the angel, diamond fish, emperor, eels, trumpet fish, octopus. The marine topography is equally quite interesting, since there are abundant rocky pinnacles and caverns, which alternate with sandy patches in the background.
Diving at the Catalina Islands are not anchored dives, so, since there is no safety rope, the diver must be able to make rapid descents. Divers have to be able to make a rapid descent and make the safety stop without a line. The depths vary from 12m (40ft) to 35m (120ft).
This site abounds with white Tip sharks, which comfortably live between two walls, in a canal with important currents that favor them. After the canal, a pinnacle is explored where there is an opportunity to see giant manta rays, eagle eels and cow nose rays.
At this point a descent is made using the anchor line. Once at the bottom, the exploration of rock pinnacles begins, gradually descending while searching for white tip sharks and other species.
Diving Papagayo is a local Tour Company offering dive trips, snorkeling and sailing tours in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Hotels: Four Seasons Papagayo , Andaz Papagayo , El Mangroove, Secrets Papagayo , Planet Hollywood , El Coco , Ocotal , Riu Palace , Riu Guanacaste
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