BAT ISLANDS

Costa Rica does not only offer virgin rainforest, fascinating volcanoes and pristine beaches but also an overwhelming world of undersea wildlife.

The Bat Islands, Bats or Islas Murcielagos, are probably the most exciting place to observe the under-water-world of Costa Rica! Situated about 30 miles/45 km north-east of Playas del Coco, at the most outward tip of the Santa Rosa Nation Park, it will take you about 2 hours to get there through the open sea, accompanied by schools of dolphins, mating turtles and occasionally whales. The exposed location of these islands guarantees an abundant variety of sea wildlife which is hardly to be found somewhere else. For some reason - unexplored up to now - the  Bat Islands are a melting pot of very different undersea wildlife and fish that usually do not occur together. Nowhere else the chances are better to encounter hunting pelagic fish and cetaceans. Dolphins, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo or even a majestic sailfish and schools of huge yellowfin or big eye tuna are just a few species that you usually just see on TV!

Visibility is about 18 to 100 ft/6 to 30m and strong currents and waves have to be expected once in a while. But you will be highly recompensed by a spectacle that does not allow even one minute of boredom: huge schools of snappers, sharks, eagle-, cow nose- and manta-rays, turtles and jacks are awaiting the diver as well as an immense variety of other tropical fish and reef wildlife. But the real highlight are the possible encounters with bull-sharks, up to 12ft/3.5m long (females)!

The optimum months for the long range trip to the Bat Islands are March through October. Outside this period, the diving trip to the Bat Island may not always take place since at this time of the year, a strong coastal wind from the north (Papagayo) make the trip sometimes unsafe or impossible. Short term, bookings are then switched to the Catalina Islands.

Visibility: is about 18 to 75 ft., and strong currents have to be expected once in a while. But you will be highly recompensed by a spectacle that does not allow even one minute of boredom: huge schools of snappers, sharks, eagle mantas, turtles and barracudas are awaiting the diver as well as an immense variety of other tropical fish and reef wildlife. The huge mantas rays are to be seen between November and May; and one of the giant turtle species can be met all year round.

Water temperature: Is between 75 and 85° F; diving season is all year round since there are no bigger rivers here that could transport stones and mud during the rainy season and would thus affect the good view. Between the end of November and end of February, the diving trip to Bat Island may not always take place since at this time of the year, a strong coastal wind from the north (Papagayo) may hinder the boat to leave the harbor. Short term, bookings are then switched to the Catalina Islands.

Marine Life Around Catalina Islands: The best months for diving the Catalina Islands are December through May, where we have seen up to 50 Manta Rays with wingspans of 14 to 20 ft on a single dive.

Marine Life Around Bat Islands: The optimum months for the long range trip to the Bat Islands are March through November. Here we see the impressive 8 to 15 ft bull sharks, schools of cow-nosed rays, eagle rays and horse-eye jacks, spade fish, pompano, snapper and Wahoo.

Marine Life on Local Dive sites: The local dives offer many white tip reef sharks, giant schools of grunts and yellowtails, spotted eagle rays, turtles, gigantic stingrays, angel fish, octopus, sea horses, starfish, frog fish and many species of eels. With some luck, you will be able to see also whale sharks up to 35’ long as well as spinner dolphins, humpback whales, pilot whales, Orcas and false killer whales.