All 14 Verified Costa Rica Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Tours

Every listing below has been verified against the Viator Partner API with transparent qualification requirements, departure points, equipment inclusions, and 24-hour cancellation terms.

Certified Open Water+ Required ★ 4.9 (451 reviews) · From $162

Certified Diver Trip Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Two-Tank Certified Scuba Diving Tour at Catalina Islands & North Island

Departure & Boarding:

Potrero / Flamingo Bay Dive Center (hotel pickup available in Flamingo, Potrero, Conchal, Brasilito & Tamarindo)

Pickup Coverage:

Complimentary or zone-based hotel pickup across Flamingo, Potrero, Brasilito, Conchal & Tamarindo; confirm exact pickup time on booking

Qualification Required:

Open Water Diver certification or higher (PADI, SSI, NAUI, CMAS); recent dive within 12–24 months recommended

Outing Duration & Dives:

5 hours total outing (approx. 35–45 min boat ride each way + two 40–45 min guided dives + surface interval) (2 guided ocean tank dives)

Equipment Included:

2 aluminum 80 cu ft tanks, weights, weight belt, and full scuba gear (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins) included per operator listing

Age & Participation:

Minimum age 12+ with Junior Open Water / Open Water certification; must complete standard diver medical check

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure (full refund via Viator / GetYourGuide)

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Certified Open Water+ Required ★ 5.0 (410 reviews) · From $175

Certified Diver Trip Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Fun Dive Catalina Islands — 2-Tank Guided Excursion for Certified Divers

Departure & Boarding:

Board dive boat at Potrero / Flamingo beach departure zone (morning check-in at dive shop)

Pickup Coverage:

Central Tamarindo, Langosta, Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo & Potrero check-in / transfer options

Qualification Required:

Valid Open Water Diver certification card required at check-in

Outing Duration & Dives:

6.5 to 7 hours total outing (includes dive shop gear fitting, transfer, boat transit & 2 guided dives) (2 guided ocean tank dives)

Equipment Included:

Full scuba equipment (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, 2 tanks & weights) included in fare

Age & Participation:

Minimum age 10–12+ (certified); medically fit to dive with no flight within 18+ hours after surfacing

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

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Certified Open Water+ · Calm Bay ★ 4.9 (26 reviews) · From $105

Certified Diver Trip Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Playas del Coco & Gulf of Papagayo 2-Tank Local Reef Scuba Dive

Departure & Boarding:

Playas del Coco main beach dive shop (10–20 min boat run to Tortuga, Tiburones, Virador & Punta Argentina sites)

Pickup Coverage:

Walk-in from Playas del Coco; hotel pickup available in Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama, Ocotal & Papagayo

Qualification Required:

Open Water Diver certification or higher

Outing Duration & Dives:

4 hours total outing (approx. 7:30 AM – 11:45 AM; two 45-min dives + calm bay surface interval) (2 guided local reef tank dives)

Equipment Included:

2 tanks, weights, weight belt, dive guide, water & fresh pineapple/fruit; verify gear rental tier on checkout

Age & Participation:

Certified divers aged 10+; calm sheltered bay conditions ideal for newly certified or returning divers

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start time

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Advanced Open Water+ Required ★ 5.0 (11 reviews) · From $340

Certified Diver Trip (Advanced) Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Bat Islands (Islas Murciélago) Advanced 2-Tank Bull Shark Scuba Excursion

Departure & Boarding:

Early morning transfer to Playas del Coco or Cuajiniquil boat launch for offshore Santa Rosa National Park transit

Pickup Coverage:

Guanacaste coastal hubs (Playas del Coco, Flamingo, Potrero, Tamarindo) per operator schedule

Qualification Required:

Advanced Open Water certification (or 25+ logged dives with strong buoyancy & current experience per operator assessment)

Outing Duration & Dives:

8 to 10.5 hours total outing (long offshore boat transit + 2 deep/current dives at Big Scare & Santa Rosa reefs) (2 guided advanced ocean dives)

Equipment Included:

Full scuba gear, 2 tanks, weights, and licensed national park dive guide

Age & Participation:

Minimum age 15+ with Advanced certification; operating conditions subject to North Pacific wind/swell assessment (prime May–October)

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure; weather-dependent site substitution policy applies

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Certified Open Water+ · Marine Reserve ★ 5.0 (74 reviews) · From $186

Certified Diver Trip Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Isla del Caño Biological Reserve 2-Tank Scuba Diving Tour from Drake Bay

Departure & Boarding:

Drake Bay main beach (wet landing boat boarding at ~7:00 AM; 45-minute boat crossing to Isla del Caño)

Pickup Coverage:

Drake Bay beachfront lodges and town meeting point

Qualification Required:

Valid Open Water Diver certification or higher required by SINAC park rules

Outing Duration & Dives:

6 hours total outing (45-min boat ride each way + two 45-min reserve dives + surface interval & picnic lunch) (2 guided reserve dives (sites assigned by park rangers: Bajo del Diablo, Paraíso, El Barco, Cueva del Tiburón))

Equipment Included:

Full scuba gear (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, 2 tanks, weights), SINAC reserve permit & picnic lunch

Age & Participation:

Certified divers aged 10+; gloves and reef hooks strictly prohibited inside Caño Island Biological Reserve

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

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No Certification Needed · Supervised Intro ★ 4.9 (240 reviews) · From $223

Introductory Scuba Experience Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners (Non-Certified) at Catalina Islands

Departure & Boarding:

Potrero / Flamingo Dive Center (pool/shallow skills session followed by boat departure)

Pickup Coverage:

Flamingo, Potrero, Brasilito, Conchal & Tamarindo hotel pickup available

Qualification Required:

None — supervised beginner experience (Note: this is NOT a certification course to dive independently)

Outing Duration & Dives:

5 hours total outing (safety briefing + shallow-water skill practice + 2 shallow supervised ocean dives) (2 supervised introductory ocean dives (max depth 12 m / 40 ft))

Equipment Included:

Complete scuba kit (BCD, regulator, gauges, wetsuit, mask, fins, tanks & weights) included

Age & Participation:

Minimum age 10+; basic water comfort and standard PADI medical questionnaire clearance required

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start time

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No Certification Needed · Pool + Ocean ★ 5.0 (242 reviews) · From $195

Introductory Scuba Experience Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Try Scuba Diving (Basic Diver) — Supervised Pool & 2 Ocean Dives

Departure & Boarding:

Dive center pool training session + Potrero Bay boat launch to sheltered Catalina islets

Pickup Coverage:

Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo & Potrero zone

Qualification Required:

No prior experience required; supervised introductory program (does not grant autonomous diving certification)

Outing Duration & Dives:

7 hours total outing (morning confined-water pool session + afternoon 2-tank shallow boat trip) (Pool skills session + 2 supervised shallow ocean dives)

Equipment Included:

All pool and ocean scuba equipment, wetsuit, tanks, weights, and instructor supervision included

Age & Participation:

Minimum age 10+; must pass standard diver medical screening with no contraindicating ear/lung conditions

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

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Full 3-Day Certification Course ★ 5.0 (44 reviews) · From $705

Dive Course & Certification Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Open Water Diver Full Certification Course (3-Day Theory, Pool & 4 Ocean Dives)

Departure & Boarding:

Guanacaste Dive Center (Tamarindo / Flamingo / Potrero training pool + Catalina Islands boat dives)

Pickup Coverage:

Tamarindo, Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo & Potrero corridor

Qualification Required:

No prior certification required; earns lifelong international Open Water Diver certification upon completion

Outing Duration & Dives:

3 full days (digital eLearning theory + confined pool sessions + 4 open-water ocean qualification dives) (Confined pool modules + 4 open-water certification dives (to max 18 m / 60 ft))

Equipment Included:

Full scuba rental gear for all 3 days, digital training materials, certification processing fee, 4 boat dives

Age & Participation:

Minimum age 10+ (10–14 earns Junior Open Water); 200 m swim & 10-minute float/tread water assessment required

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before Day 1 start

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Certified Divers · Inactive 12+ Mos ★ 4.3 (7 reviews) · From $190

Dive Course & Refresher Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Refresher Scuba Diving Course & 2 Guided Ocean Reef Dives

Departure & Boarding:

Guanacaste coastal dive shop (skill review + 2-tank morning boat departure)

Pickup Coverage:

Playas del Coco, Ocotal, Hermosa & northern Guanacaste beach towns

Qualification Required:

Existing Open Water certification card required (designed for certified divers who haven't dived in 1–5+ years)

Outing Duration & Dives:

5 hours total outing (gear assembly & buoyancy/regulator recovery review + 2 guided reef dives) (Skills refresher + 2 guided ocean dives)

Equipment Included:

Full scuba equipment (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, 2 tanks & weights) + instructor review

Age & Participation:

Certified divers aged 10+; medical self-assessment required

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

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Guided Surface Snorkeling · All Levels ★ 4.7 (251 reviews) · From $95

Snorkeling Excursion Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Isla del Caño Biological Reserve Guided Snorkeling Excursion from Drake Bay

Departure & Boarding:

Drake Bay main beach (wet-landing boat boarding ~7:30 AM)

Pickup Coverage:

Drake Bay beachfront meeting point (walkable from Agujitas / Drake Bay lodges)

Qualification Required:

None — surface snorkeling outing suitable for families, couples & mixed groups

Outing Duration & Dives:

6 hours total outing (two 45–60 min guided reef snorkeling sessions at Caño Island + beach lunch) (2 guided surface snorkeling sessions (no scuba diving))

Equipment Included:

Mask, snorkel, fins, flotation vest, reserve entry ticket, bilingual naturalist guide & lunch

Age & Participation:

Ages 5+ (children must be accompanied by an adult); basic swimming comfort; life jackets provided

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start time

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Surface Snorkeling · Mixed Boat Friendly ★ 4.6 (237 reviews) · From $115

Snorkeling Excursion Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Catalina Islands & North Island Guided Boat Snorkeling Tour

Departure & Boarding:

Potrero / Flamingo Dive Center (shared boat with scuba divers—ideal for mixed groups)

Pickup Coverage:

Flamingo, Potrero, Brasilito, Conchal & Tamarindo hotel pickup available

Qualification Required:

None — surface snorkeling excursion; often operates on the same vessel as certified & intro scuba divers

Outing Duration & Dives:

5 hours total outing (two guided surface snorkeling sessions around the volcanic Catalina islets) (2 guided surface snorkeling sessions)

Equipment Included:

Mask, snorkel, fins, flotation vest/belt, in-water guide, water & fresh tropical fruit

Age & Participation:

Minimum age 6+; open-ocean island swell requires comfortable swimming ability even with a flotation vest

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

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Confirmed Uvita Departure · Reserve Snorkel ★ 4.8 (222 reviews) · From $145

Snorkeling Excursion Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Snorkeling at Caño Island Biological Reserve — Full-Day Boat Tour from Uvita

Departure & Boarding:

Punta Uvita / Marino Ballena National Park beach check-in (~7:00 AM fast boat departure)

Pickup Coverage:

Direct check-in at Uvita beach office (convenient for Uvita, Dominical & Ojochal travelers)

Qualification Required:

None — guided surface snorkeling excursion

Outing Duration & Dives:

6 to 6.5 hours total outing (75–90 min fast boat crossing each way + 2 Caño Island snorkel sessions + lunch) (2 guided reserve snorkeling sessions + Violines / San Josecito coastal stop)

Equipment Included:

SINAC park & reserve permits, mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, bilingual guide, picnic lunch & water

Age & Participation:

Ages 6+; wet-landing boat boarding through shallow surf at Punta Uvita

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

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Caribbean Coral Reef · Snorkel + Hike ★ 4.6 (33 reviews) · From $180

Mixed-Activity Boat Trip Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Cahuita National Park Coral Reef Boat Snorkeling & Coastal Rainforest Walk

Departure & Boarding:

Cahuita National Park boat launch (with hotel pickup from Puerto Viejo, Cahuita & Limón)

Pickup Coverage:

Confirmed hotel pickup in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita, Cocles, Punta Uva & Limón

Qualification Required:

None — mandatory park-certified guide accompanies all reef snorkelers inside Cahuita National Park

Outing Duration & Dives:

5 hours total outing (2-hour guided boat snorkeling on Cahuita's protected coral reef + 2-hour coastal wildlife walk) (2 coral-reef snorkeling stops (Punta Cahuita & Puerto Vargas) + guided rainforest trail)

Equipment Included:

Snorkel mask, tube, fins, flotation vest, certified ICT/SINAC naturalist guide, fruit snack & lunch

Age & Participation:

All ages (calm shallow coral lagoon 2–5 m deep; optimal Caribbean visibility in Sept–Oct & Feb–Apr)

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before start time

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100% Private Boat · Custom Pace ★ 5.0 (45 reviews) · From $395

Private Marine Experience Booked via Viator / GetYourGuide

Private Gulf of Papagayo Snorkeling, Hidden Coves & Coastal Boat Charter

Departure & Boarding:

Playas del Coco / Playa Hermosa beach pickup by private tender

Pickup Coverage:

Direct beach boarding in Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama, Ocotal & Papagayo resorts

Qualification Required:

None for private snorkeling charter; private captain & crew tailor cove stops to your group

Outing Duration & Dives:

4.5 hours total outing (morning 8:00 AM calm-water reef departure or afternoon 1:30 PM sunset charter) (Custom private snorkeling & cove exploration (scuba dive add-on available on dedicated private dive boats))

Equipment Included:

Snorkeling masks, fins, flotation vests, stand-up paddleboards, open bar, fresh snacks & lunch

Age & Participation:

All ages welcome; private ladder & crew assistance ideal for families with children or multi-generational groups

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

View on Viator (From $395) ↗ Check GetYourGuide ↗