Costa Rica’s best marine parks + eco dive resorts
Costa Rica is a paradise for eco-conscious travellers and underwater explorers are no exception. With its healthy coral reefs, pelagic-rich waters and some of the most progressive environmental policies in the world, the country is a dream destination for those who want to dive responsibly.
We’ve been lucky enough to visit Costa Rica several times and think it’s one of the best countries in the world for sustainable adventures. You don’t have to look far to find protected areas (both on land and in the water) and the accommodation leans heavily towards being environmentally aware.
Whether you’re looking for a community-run ecolodge or a luxury eco-resort (with strict sustainability practices), Costa Rica offers inspiring choices. Plus, it’s home to world-class marine parks where conservation is an absolute priority and wildlife is allowed to thrive.
In this article, we’ll highlight the best eco-dive resorts in Costa Rica to help you plan a sustainable scuba adventure. We’ll also shine a light on some of the country’s top marine parks to plan your itinerary around.
Heading to Costa Rica to surf? Discover some of the country’s best sustainable surf camps and resorts for an eco-conscious stay.
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Supporting sustainable diving in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is committed to conservation, with over 25% of its land protected. Additionally, it boasts several marine areas designated as national parks or biological reserves. In short, it walks the talk when it comes to wildlife and environmental preservation.
Many dive operators and eco-resorts actively contribute to coral restoration, sustainable fishing initiatives and marine research. It’s something we love to see here at EcoOceanEscapes. Honestly, we think it’s hard to find an irresponsible operator if you’re planning a sustainable dive trip to Costa Rica.
What are the perks of exploring with the best eco-friendly dive operators in Costa Rica?
- Reduce your environmental impact
- Support local communities
- Protect fragile coral reef systems
- Fund conservation and research
- Learn about the threats to marine ecosystems
Costa Rica’s top marine parks for diving
From hammerhead shark sanctuaries to humpback migration corridors, Costa Rica’s protected marine areas offer some of the most biodiverse diving in Central America. While most are located along the country’s Pacific coastline, there are also a handful on the Caribbean side.
1. Cocos Island National Park
Best for: Advanced divers, bucket-list pelagic encounters, liveaboard trips
One of the world’s most extraordinary dive destinations, Cocos Island is often regarded as the Central American counterpart to the Galapagos Islands. It has been recognised as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Costa Rican National Park, with its powerful ocean currents attracting an abundance of pelagic species.
Cocos Island National Park is home to:
- massive schools of hammerhead sharks
- tiger sharks
- marble rays
- whale sharks
- oceanic mantas
Cocos Island is only reachable by liveaboard boats departing from the port city of Puntarenas. Strict conservation regulations ensure the marine environment remains healthy.
To learn more about diving around Cocos Island, check out our detailed scuba guide here.
2. Caño Island Biological Reserve
Best for: Intermediate divers, crystal-clear waters
Often described as a “mini Cocos,” Caño Island lies around 16 kilometres from Punta Llorona on the Osa Peninsula. Aside from being a popular eco-tourism destination, the reserve is visited by researchers studying coral death and recolonisation.
When diving around Caño Island, you can expect:
- 20–30m visibility
- white-tip reef sharks
- sea turtles
- giant schools of jacks and snapper
- manta sightings
Caño Island is one of the best places to dive in Costa Rica for intermediate scuba enthusiasts seeking high-quality marine life.
3. Marino Ballena National Park
Best for: Beginners + wildlife lovers
Forming part of the Osa Conservation Area, Marino Ballena was the first marine park created in Costa Rica. It’s famed for sightings of humpback whales, which migrate through the area between August and March. But it also features easy dive sites and warm waters that are ideal for newbies.
Marino Ballena National Park is home to:
- vibrant reefs
- turtles
- butterflyfish
- volcanic rock formations
Dive operators based in Uvita offer scuba courses and daily excursions that explore Marino Ballena National Park. Check out Costa Rica Dive and Surf if sustainability is a priority.
Want to learn more about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and what sets them apart? Check out our detailed explainer here.
4. Santa Rosa National Park (Murcielago Islands)
Best for: Experienced divers seeking big marine life
Located in the far northwest of Costa Rica in Guanacaste Province, this park was established in 1966. Aside from preserving a large habitat for jaguars and mountain lions, it protects several beach nesting sites of sea turtles.
For divers, it’s the Bat Islands (Islas Murcielago) that are the biggest drawcard, situated off the coast of Santa Elena Peninsula.
While diving the Islas Murcielago, you may encounter:
- bull sharks
- eagle rays
- giant schools of snapper
Currents can be strong around the Bat Islands, making this a fantastic dive destination for experienced divers and thrill seekers.
5. Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge (Caribbean Coast)
Best for: Caribbean-style reefs and calm conditions
If you want to go diving on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, head to Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. It’s located in the province of Limón, between the mouths of two rivers – Cocles and Sixaola.
Dive conditions here are generally calm and it’s ideal for scuba divers travelling with snorkellers.
While exploring Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, you can expect:
- colourful corals
- nurse sharks
- manatees
- calm, clear waters
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is ideal for divers and snorkellers wanting to explore Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline.
For more Central American dive inspiration, check out our scuba guides to Honduras, Belize and Mexico.
Best eco-dive resorts in Costa Rica
These Costa Rican eco-dive resorts and lodges combine low-impact practices with exceptional access to world-class dive sites.
Selva Bananito Lodge – Limon (Caribbean coast)
Best for: Access to Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Selva Bananito Lodge is an ecolodge nestled on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains, in Limón province. It’s part of a large private reserve (about 1,050 hectares) that protects primary rainforest, making it a powerful conservation success story.
Aside from its Caribbean-style stilted cabins made from recycled wood, Selva Bananito Lodge is “off-grid”. Water is heated using solar power and the lodge strives for a minimal carbon footprint.
Highlights:
- Easy access to Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
- Community-based and adventurous nature tours
- Supports the Fundación Cuencas de Limón to protect native rainforests
- Volunteer stays available
Aguila de Osa Rainforest & Marine Adventure Lodge – Osa Peninsula (Pacific coast)
Best for: High-end eco luxury with sustainability credentials
Aguila de Osa is an eco-lodge perched on a hillside overlooking Drake Bay, on Costa Rica’s biodiverse Osa Peninsula. It’s uniquely positioned at the edge of two natural treasures: Corcovado National Park and the Caño Island Biological Marine Reserve, making it a top destination for nature lovers, adventurers and conservation-conscious travellers.
This Costa Rican eco-lodge features around a dozen rooms built with handcrafted wood and runs on renewable energy. It actively supports local conservation efforts and is part of the Greentique Hotels network, which emphasizes sustainable practices.
Highlights:
- Spectacular rainforest surroundings
- Night diving & deep dives to Caño Island
- On-site sustainability programs
- Supports the Corcovado Foundation
Pirate Cove Eco-Lodge – Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula (Pacific coast)
Best for: Access to Caño Island Biological Reserve
Nestled in the jungle and accessible only by boat, Pirate Cove is built around low-impact principles. Solar energy, minimal-plastic operations and wildlife-friendly landscaping make it a favourite among eco travellers.
Its in-house scuba operator, Caño Divers, offers guided trips to encounter Pacific reef fish and pelagic species, including white-tipped reef sharks, bull sharks and hammerheads. Humpbacks, orcas and pilot whales are seasonal visitors to the area, together with spotted, bottlenose and spinner dolphins.
Highlights:
- Short boat ride to Caño Island
- Incredible biodiversity above and below water
- Whale watching & diving package deals
- Rainforest + reef combination
Cocos Island Liveaboards (Eco-Focused Operators)
Best for: Bucket-list diving with hammerheads (strictly protected area)
You can’t stay on Cocos Island itself – it’s an uninhabited marine park 550 kilometres off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. But several liveaboards operating there follow strict eco-standards, including low-impact waste management, plastic-free policies and funding for park rangers.
From Puntarenas, it takes between 36 and 40 hours to reach Cocos Island, with most liveaboard trips spanning 8 to 10 days. The open-ocean crossing can be rough at times, but we think the dive rewards are more than worth it.
Highlights:
- Hundreds of schooling hammerheads
- One of the healthiest marine ecosystems in the Eastern Pacific
- Strict environmental protocols
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Please:
Only choose liveaboard operators that adhere to park regulations and support conservation efforts. Check out Argo, Sea Hunter or the Cocos Island Aggressor for inspiration.
Tips for sustainable diving in Costa Rica
- Choose eco-certified dive operators and resorts
- Avoid touching coral or marine life – perfect your buoyancy to prevent reef collisions!
- Use reef-safe sunscreen during all dive trips
- Support local conservation initiatives
- Limit single-use plastics on your trip
- Select eco-lodges with genuine sustainability practices
Costa Rica: A Central American paradise for a sustainable scuba trip
Costa Rica is a natural haven for eco-minded divers. Whether you’re exploring the shark-filled waters of Cocos Island, the colourful reefs of Caño or the calm bays of Marino Ballena, your visit supports one of the world’s leading conservation nations.
And by staying at an eco-dive resort in Costa Rica, you directly contribute to preserving the world’s marine biodiversity for generations to come.
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH OUR FAVOURITE RESOURCES:
Find hotels and resorts via Booking or Agoda
Book tours and experiences via Viator or GetYourGuide
Find a rental car via Discover Cars
Book flights via Kiwi or Booking
Search for buses and trains via 12Go or Omio
Get travel insurance via SafetyWing
Buy a digital eSIM with Airalo
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About the authors
We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe. After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we’ve created this resource to highlight sustainably run surf camps, eco-friendly dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.
Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore. Despite the benefits that surf and dive tourism can bring to local communities, we recognised that ocean-based adventures are not always managed in a sustainable manner.
Through our articles, we hope to inspire those seeking a responsible surf or dive trip that is all about supporting local communities, preserving our coastal environments and the incredible marine species that inhabit our oceans.
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We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe.
After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we’ve created this resource to highlight sustainable surf camps, eco-dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.
Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore.
