Costa Rica Adventure Divers

Costa Rica Adventure Divers (CRAD) has been a fixture of the Osa Peninsula diving scene since 1997. Based in Drake Bay, the centre serves as a gateway to the Caño Island Biological Reserve, one of the most significant marine protected areas in mainland Costa Rica.

You will spend your surface intervals on Caño Island, which offers beach access and facilities. The centre focuses on reliable service and high safety standards, providing all the necessary equipment for both recreational diving and snorkelling trips.

The team is composed of experienced PADI instructors dedicated to marine conservation. They offer a wide variety of training, including specialised courses in Shark Conservation and Marine Conservation to help divers understand the ecosystems they visit.

Safety is managed through strict protocols, including the use of emergency oxygen kits and first aid supplies on all vessels. The centre is a DAN partner and strongly recommends that all divers hold personal dive insurance.

CRAD provides a comprehensive catalogue of PADI courses for all ages and experience levels. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to progress can undertake the Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster programmes.

For younger divers, there are Junior Open Water, Junior Advanced Open Water, and Junior Rescue Diver certifications. The centre also offers Peak Performance Buoyancy training to help refine your control underwater, as well as specialised courses in Marine Conservation and Shark Conservation.

The centre operates custom-built dive boats designed specifically for the local conditions. These vessels are equipped with radios, mobile phones, and emergency oxygen kits to ensure safety during trips to the reserve.

All tours include snacks, such as biscuits and fruit, along with potable water to keep you hydrated between dives. The boats facilitate daily excursions for both diving and snorkelling, providing a stable platform for exploring the reefs and pinnacles.

Full equipment hire is available for divers who do not wish to travel with their own kit. This includes the essential components required for a comfortable dive in tropical waters.

The centre maintains strict disinfection and cleaning protocols for all rental gear. For those looking to refresh their skills, ReActivate Scuba programmes are available to ensure your kit and technique are ready for the water.

The waters around Caño Island are famous for large pelagics. You can regularly encounter dolphins, eagle rays, and various species of sharks, including blacktip reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks. Large schools of barracuda, grunts, and snappers move through the area, and you may see sea turtles or even giant manta rays.

During the migration peaks, humpback whales can be seen in these waters throughout the year. In the months from June to December, a high concentration of plankton supports an even more diverse array of life.

For those interested in macro life, the reefs host a variety of smaller creatures. Look for nudibranchs, seahorses, pipefish, frogfish, and scorpionfish. The seabed and crevices also hide mantis shrimp, harlequin shrimps, skeleton shrimp, and various species of crabs, including orangutan crabs and calapa crabs.

The area experiences light currents at times, which can influence dive planning. The best period for calm waters is between December and May, while the period from June to December sees a higher concentration of plankton in the water.

Surface intervals are typically spent on Caño Island, which provides a beach and toilet facilities for divers waiting between dives.