Be water diving Tamarindo

Located on Calle Cruz in Tamarindo, Be Water Diving has been a fixture of the local diving community for over a decade. The centre operates as an SSI affiliate, providing a gateway to the rich marine ecosystems of the Guanacaste province.

Most excursions head out to the Catalina Islands, an archipelago of rocky islands situated roughly 30 minutes by boat from the coast. This area serves as a meeting point for different water masses, creating a nutrient-rich environment that supports a vast array of pelagic life and reef species.

The team consists of professional SSI instructors who are fluent in English, Spanish, and French. This multilingual capability ensures that both technical instruction and dive briefings are clear for international divers.

Safety is a primary focus, with a strict ratio of no more than 4 divers per instructor. This small group size allows for attentive guidance, whether you are completing a certification or exploring a new site.

In addition to standard training, the centre offers specialised experiences such as Bull Shark dives. The instructors possess deep local knowledge of the Catalina Islands, which is essential for navigating the variable conditions found there.

Be Water Diving offers a comprehensive range of SSI certification courses. For those new to the sport, the curriculum begins with Discover Scuba Diving and the Basic Diver and Open Water Diver programmes.

Experienced divers can progress through the Advanced Diver and Rescue Diver courses. The centre also provides Scuba skills updates for those looking to refine their buoyancy or trim, as well as Referral programmes for divers transferring their certifications from other agencies.

The Ocean Rider is a purpose-built dive boat that departs from Tamarindo beach every morning at 7:00 AM. It is designed specifically to handle the transit to the offshore islands efficiently.

On board, you will find refreshments including water, fresh pineapple, and homemade treats like banana bread or lemon cake, alongside iced tea. The boat is equipped with emergency oxygen to ensure safety during all offshore trips.

The centre provides a full range of modern, well-maintained rental equipment for divers who do not wish to carry their own kit. This includes everything required to complete a dive, from regulators to BCDs.

Safety equipment is a priority, and emergency oxygen is always available on the boat for use during excursions.

The waters around the Catalina Islands are a magnet for large pelagics. Between December and May, you have the opportunity to see Manta rays, and Humpback whales may also be present depending on the season. You can regularly encounter Whitetip sharks, Leopard sharks, and Eagle rays patrolling the area.

For those interested in smaller encounters, the reef and rocky structures host a variety of species including Moray eels, Octopus, Pufferfish, and Scorpionfish. Sea turtles, sea snakes, and various species of rays, such as Guitarfish, are also common sights.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants are abundant throughout the ecosystem. Look closely to find Spiny lobsters, Trumpetfish, and various species of fish like Porcupinefish, alongside sea urchins and starfish inhabiting the rocky crevices.

Diving in this region involves navigating moderate to strong currents, particularly when visiting the Catalina Islands. These currents are a key reason for the abundance of life, but they require attentive buoyancy control.

The swell can occasionally be heavy, so it is advisable to take motion sickness precautions if you are sensitive to boat travel. Visibility varies significantly depending on the conditions, ranging from 3 metres to as high as 30 metres.