The Eastern Pacific Ocean
The largest expanse of water on the
Earth, the Pacific Ocean contains the greatest diversity of marine
life. Temperatures range from the 60s to the 80s as you near the
equator. Islands emerging from the depth atract big animals: whale
sharks, hammerheads sharks, and manta rays. Winter is the whale season
for
Baja, Socorro islands and Hawaii.
BAJA
The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez or Sea of
Cortés; locally known in the Spanish language as Mar de
Cortés or Mar Bermejo or Golfo de California) is a body of water
that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican
mainland.The narrow sea is home to a unique and rich ecosystem. In
addition to a wide range of endemic creatures, it hosts many migratory
species, such as the humpback whale, California Gray Whale, manta ray
and Leatherback Sea Turtle.
Baja California's cool waters offer a first glimpse of warm water
fishes
- puffers, surgeons and mantas. Out of La Paz, Los Islotes is famous
for its sea lion colony, and hammerheads can be seen at the
seamounts. Octopus, and eels are
very common. The northernmost Pacific coral reef, Cabo Pulmo, is just a
3-tank day trip from Cabo San Lucas. Surface water temperature varies
from 60s in winter months to 90s during the summer. Winter is the
season for whale watching in Baja.
Cabo
'Nautilus Explorer'
'Solmar V'
Mar de Cortez & Amigos del Mar
Solmar Suites & Amigos del Mar
LaPaz
Baja Expeditions
COSTA RICA
& COCOS ISLAND
Rugged
highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from
approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea
level). The Guanacaste Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and
Talamanca Mountain Range are the main mountain ranges extending the
entire length of the country. There are several active volcanoes
(Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and
Turrialba Volcano) and the country’s highest mountain (Chirripo Hill)
with a height of 3,819 m/12,530 ft. The country has a relatively long
coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number
of rivers and streams that attract specialist kayakers and rafters from
all over the world.
In general, the climate in Costa Rica is very pleasant not only during
the dry season, which extends from December to April but also during
the rainy season, which runs from May to November. During the rainy
season rain can be expected in the afternoons, on the other hand the
mornings are usually sunny.
Due to the weather characteristics and the topography of the country,
different types of forests can be appreciated: the cloud forest, the
rain forest, the dry forest, and the transition forest.
Considered one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world, Costa Rica
is divided in 20 natural parks, 8 biological reserves, and a series of
protected areas that captivate ecotourism lovers. The variety of
activities includes horseback riding, hiking mountainous paths in the
cloud forests, and guided bird-watching tours.
North Pacific Region: Guancaste
The Pacific has the country's best diving, with less coral, but plenty
of big fish. The most popular Pacific diving area is the Northwest,
where dive centers in Playa del Coco, Ocotal and Hermosa offer trips to
several spots in the Culebra Bay and the Bat Islands (Islas
Murcielagos), to the Northwest, where divers often see sharks and manta
rays. The dive center in Flamingo usually takes people to Santa
Catalina Island, about five miles off shore, which is another good spot
to see sharks and other big fish. The best visibility and water
temperatures in the Northwest are found from June to September, though
the conditions can change from day to day. There is good snorkeling in
Curu National Wildlife Refuge, and near the beach resorts of Tambor and
Montezuma. There is also usually good snorkeling off the second beach
in Manuel Antonio National Park, and around the points and islands
between Dominical and Marino Ballena National Park. The temperature in
this area ranges from 80ºF (24ºC) and
85ºF (27ºC), although these may vary depending on the season
of the year, the currents, and the thermoclines.
Don't miss the awesome arches and coral formations of Santa Elena Bay,
Blanca Beach Range, and Bajo Meros (ravine), a perfect place for
beginners. You may also dive in Gorda Point, Bajo Tiburones, Negritos
Island, Cabros Island, and Murciélago Islands, where you might
find the bull sharks which measure up to 12 feet (Carcharhinus leucas)
in their natural habitat. The best time to visit this site is from
March through November. Despensa Island and Catalinas Islands are also
a perfect spot for observing the abundant sea life, which is difficult
to find anywhere else.
All these places are great for watching different species of sharks
such as the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), dolphins, morays, and
rayfish, among which noteworthy is the Golden ray (Rhinoptera
steindachneri) or Pacific cownose ray, of the many existing Pellagic
species.
Occidental Allegro Papagayo
Occidental Grand Papagayo
Ooctal Beach Resort
Playa Hermosa
Villas Sol
South Pacific region: Osa-Peninsula
Plunge into a whole submarine garden full of coral formations and an
impressive colouring.
The best diving spot in this zone is found in the Caño's Island
Biological Reserve, 45 minutes away from Drake Bay-Osa Peninsula, where
you will find a marine ecosystem beyond compare. In this beautiful
place, you may observe hammerheaded sharks (Sphyrna lewini) , white
finned sharks (Triaenodon obesus), whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), and
ray fish. Your trip will be done in the pleasant company of dolphins
and the migration of the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) or
finback whales, as they are also known. These may be seen almost any
month of the year, but their best season is when it is Winter on the
Northern Hemisphere of the American Continent. A special attraction is
that this area is the only place in the world where these whales come
to, both from the North and the South, at different times of the year.
You will be able to explore the Tres Hermanas small Islands and the
protected marine area of the Ballena Marine National Park, which
possesses a huge number of coral species. This park is complemented
with the abundance of existing marine life, among which we may mention
the humpback whales’ (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrations.
Aguila de Osa
Jinetes de Osa
Cocos Island
This
world-famous National Park was established in 1978. In 1997, UNESCO
declared it a World Natural Heritage Site. Located in the Pacific side
of Costa Rica, 543 km of Cabo Blanco, Coco’s Island is a real treasure
that has been safeguarded, where you can dive deep into the sea and
discover such unforgettable natural richness. To visit the Coco's
Island you should contact a tour operator in order to organize your
trip. The journey lasts approximately one day and a half, and when
arriving to the Island, you will find anchoring services, lectures,
walks, trails, and potable water.
Coco’s Island counts with a great diversity of natural environments,
owing to conditions related to its geological origins, geographical
location, and of being an oceanic island. Its flora and fauna, marine
as well as terrestrial, are exceptional; even though they are known to
some extent, recent studies have determined that the island houses
approximately 600 species of marine mollusks, 300 species of fish and
32 species of coral, 9 of them belonging to the deep waters.
The large number of white tip sharks (Triaenodon obesus and Carcharinus
albimarginatus), schools of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) during
migration at the cleaning stations, tuna fish (Thunnus sp), parrot fish
(Scaridae), mollusks, and other coral species, make this island one of
the most marvelous places on earth to explore.
Crossing to the Cocos Island takes approximately 30 hrs from main land.
'Ocean Hunter'
'Okeanos
Aggressor'
'Sea Hunter'
Almonds and Corals - Limon, Caribbean
Come for the
diving and stay for the
rainforests, cloudforests, river rafting and jungle.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
The
islands made famous by Darwin are still astounding tourists on a
daily basis. The Galapagos archipelago is home to some of the highest
levels of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth) anywhere on
the planet. About 80% of the land birds you will see, 97% of the
reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30% of the plants are endemic.
More than 20% of the marine species in Galapagos are found nowhere else
on earth. Favorites include the giant Galapagos tortoise, marine
iguana, flightless cormorant, and the Galapagos penguin—the only
penguin species to be found in the Northern Hemisphere.
97% of the land area of Galapagos is designated as National Park and
visits can be made only to specific visitor sites with certified
naturalist guides. The Galapagos National Park coordinates visits to
these sites and carefully monitors ecological conditions. Different
sites are known for specific scenery, vegetation, and wildlife.
However, many species, such as sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards,
and a variety of coastal birds such as herons, tattlers, plovers,
turnstones, and whimbrels, are common at most locations. Each visitor
site has a marked trail that must be respected. Most trails are less
than a mile long, often passing over rough lava or uneven boulders.
Some sites have “wet landings” (visitors wade to shore from skiffs) and
others have “dry landings” (passengers step foot directly on dry land).
From December through May the water and air temperatures are warmer.
Seas are calm. Light rain falls for a short period of time each day,
but the remainder of the day tends to be very sunny. Flowers come into
bloom and vegetation is more colorful. Fish are not as numerous as they
are later in the year, but this is a very good time to observe birds
mating. This is also the time when sea turtles nest on the beaches.
From June through November the Humboldt Current has a stronger affect
on Galapagos, bringing colder water and cooler land temperatures. It
also brings nutrient-rich water that attracts fish and sea birds:
albatrosses arrive on Española and penguins are easier to
encounter. This is the mating season for the blue-footed boobies.
During this time of year clouds fill the sky but rainfall is uncommon.
Winds tend to be stronger and seas a bit rougher. This is the preferred
time of year for experienced divers.
Although it is possible to get to Galapagos by boat, nearly all
visitors travel there by air. Flights depart from Guayaquil or Quito
(via Guayaquil). Two companies currently offer flights: TAME and
AeroGal. Both charge approximately $400 for a round-trip ticket from
Quito ($200 for children). There are two airports in Galapagos, one on
Baltra Island and the other on San Cristobal. Upon arrival, you will
have to pay an entrance fee to the Park (currently $110 for adults and
$55 for children) which is used to fund management and conservation in
the islands (link to explanation). Returning to the US from Galapagos
requires an overnight stay in either Quito or Guayaquil.
The only way to take full advantage of these wonderful
sights is to dive from a liveaboard boat. Fortunately, the boats
stop to visit Darwin Station and offer some land tours, so you get the
best of both above and underwater worlds. Northern islands Darwin and
Wolf are the place to dive with whale sharks, hammerheads, mantas and
eagle rays. Water temperature is high 70s in Northern Islands, but can
drop to the 60s elsewhere. Recommended to have 5-7 mm wetsuits. Leave
time to
visit the Amazon Basin while you are there.
'Deep
Blue'
'Galapagos Aggressor I &II'
'Galapagos Explorer'
Peter Hughes 'Sky Dancer'
SOCORRO ISLANDS
The Revillagigedos Archipelago, more commonly called Socorro Islands,
is a group of four islands off the west coast of Mexico in the eastern
Pacific Ocean. These islands have been compared to Galapagos and Cocos
Island because of the big animal encounters that can be found here. The
remote location and extraordinary dive experience makes these islands a
favorite among scuba divers around the world. The Socorro Islands
located about 250 miles south from Cabo San Lucas
are
called the “Mexican Galapagos” where divers experience the thrill of
big animal: giant manta rays, hammerheads and seasonal humpback whales.
'Nautilus
Explorer'
'Solmar V'
