Tamarindo Diving

Tamarindo Diving is a professional operation situated on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Located on Cruz Street, just a short walk from the beach, the centre serves as a gateway to some of the most biodiverse marine environments in the region, including the protected waters of the Catalina Islands and the Santa Rosa National Park.

The centre is led by Davide Gabbi, an instructor with experience dating back to 1999. The professional team has been working together for over five years, focusing on small group management to ensure a controlled and safe diving environment.

They provide training across multiple agencies, including PADI, SDI, and TDI. Whether you are looking for your first breath underwater through a Discover Scuba Diving programme or pursuing professional credentials, the instructors aim to tailor the experience to your specific skill level and goals.

The training programme is extensive, covering all levels of certification through PADI, SDI, and TDI. Beginners can start with Open Water Diver or the multi-day Discover Scuba Diving experience, while those looking to progress can enrol in Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, or Divemaster courses.

For divers looking to refine specific skills, the centre offers specialty training such as Deep Diver, Navigation Diver, Advanced Buoyancy, Drift Diver, and Marine Ecosystem Awareness. They also host the SDI Scuba Instructor Development Course for those entering the professional ranks.

The centre operates a catamaran for its offshore excursions. For the longer trips to the Bat Islands, the boat provides fruit, non-alcoholic drinks, and a light lunch on board. The vessel is used for various trip types, including day dives and night dives, allowing you to experience the Pacific coast under different light conditions.

Full equipment hire is available for those not travelling with their own kit, though you will need to provide your own dive computer. The centre is well-equipped to handle everything from basic entry-level requirements to more advanced needs for certified divers.

The region is a hotspot for large pelagics. Depending on when you visit, you may encounter manta rays from late November to early May, or tiger sharks, orcas, and humpback whales between June and September. You can also find whale sharks, pilot whales, and long-beaked dolphins during the June to September window.

In the protected waters of Cabo Velas, night dives reveal a different side of the ecosystem. Look for bioluminescent jellyfish, giant crabs, lobsters, sea snakes, eels, and octopuses.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants are abundant throughout the volcanic archipelagos and reefs. You will regularly see turtles, eagle rays, pufferfish, and various species of dolphins and whales passing through the area.

The best time to visit depends on your target species. For manta rays, the window is from late November to early May, while the Bat Islands are most productive from May to October. For those seeking sharks and whales, the months of June through September offer the highest frequency of sightings.