swimming· Reef· Remote· Secluded
Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
The finest reef on the Pacific coast of Central America, twelve kilometres offshore
4.8(4 reviews)
Drake Bay
94 saved
The finest reef on the Pacific coast of Central America, twelve kilometres offshore
“A different place on a quiet Tuesday”
Isla del Caño is a protected biological reserve set twelve kilometres off the Osa Peninsula — accessible only by permitted boat from Drake Bay, with daily visitor numbers controlled by the park service. The island has no permanent infrastructure beyond a ranger station; what it has is the most intact reef system on the Pacific coast of Central America. The dive sites around the island are exceptional: bull sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, moray eels, manta rays, and between July and October, humpback whales visible at the surface from the boat while you descend. The snorkelling is equally rewarding — the reef is shallow enough in sections to be visible from the surface, and the visibility in dry season runs to 25 metres. The island itself is botanically unusual and contains pre-Columbian stone spheres of unknown origin, sitting in the forest interior without explanation. Day trips operate out of Drake Bay through licensed operators; the 45-minute crossing through open Pacific is itself part of the experience.
Day trips depart from Drake Bay with a 45-minute crossing through open Pacific waters to reach the reserve; daily visitor numbers are controlled by the park service to protect the site. The reef system is the most intact on the Pacific coast of Central America, with shallow sections visible from the surface and wildlife including bull sharks, white-tipped reef sharks, moray eels, and manta rays. Between July and October, humpback whales are visible at the surface from the boat during descent to dive sites. The island has no permanent infrastructure beyond a ranger station, and contains pre-Columbian stone spheres of unknown origin in the forest interior.
What Changes Through The Year
Dry Season (Dec–Apr)
Visibility in dry season reaches 25 metres, allowing clear views of the shallow reef sections from the surface.
What to Bring
Safety Considerations
Who This Is For
“Book your boat operator at least one day in advance and confirm early morning—afternoon departures risk deteriorating Pacific swells making the return crossing significantly rougher. Dry season (December–April) offers both calmer seas and better reef visibility; July–October brings humpback whales but coincides with rainy season chop.”
Priya N.
January 2025
We snorkelled rather than dove and it was still one of the best marine experiences of my life. The reef starts at two metres in some sections and the visibility was 20 metres on a calm morning. Sea turtles were swimming below us for most of the time in the water. The pre-Columbian stone spheres in the forest interior of the island are a strange bonus — nobody knows what they are or why they are there.
Riku T.
March 2025
Humpback whale seen from the surface on the crossing out — tail breach at close range. Then in the water, a white-tipped reef shark resting under a coral head while a nurse shark moved slowly in the opposite direction. Both completely indifferent to us. The permit system limits daily visitors and the difference from a popular site is immediately apparent: no lines, no queuing at good spots, no trail of fins churning the water.
Finn L.
February 2025
Three bull sharks circling at around eight metres depth on the first dive, then a large school of jacks above the coral, then a manta ray on the way back to the anchor line. All of this in one 50-minute dive. The dive operator from Drake Bay was professional and the site preparation was excellent. The 45-minute boat crossing from Drake in open Pacific is rough in places and part of the deal.
Camila V.
December 2024
The diving is exceptional but the logistics are non-trivial: the ferry from Sierpe to Drake Bay, accommodation in Drake Bay (no road access), and then the early boat to the island. The total cost for two nights and the dive trip is real money. Worth it for serious divers. The snorkelling alone is also outstanding and significantly cheaper through a day-trip operator.
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Waterfalls
Three-tier waterfall at the end of a jungle trail twenty minutes from the village
Camping
The most biologically intense place on Earth — no services, no shade, no compromise
Wildlife
Leatherback turtles nest here in darkness — the beach is theirs first
Swimming
One of Costa Rica’s most beautiful Caribbean national parks
Waterfalls
The most accessible major waterfall in Costa Rica — and the most generous
Living traditions near this place
🌾 Seasonal Rituals
One of the most important Indigenous cultural traditions in Costa Rica
🪶 Indigenous Cultures
Among the most important and recognizable forms of Indigenous art in Costa Rica
🐟 Coastal Traditions
The sport boats and the pangas use the same dock — the economics are plainly visible
🐟 Coastal Traditions
The causeway opens at 6am — the fishermen eat first, then everyone else