Located in the southern Pacific Ocean, about 12 miles out off the coast of the Osa Peninsula, we find Caño Island Biological Reserve, a spectacular Marine Biological Reserve.
In the province of Puntarenas and on the northeast area of Corcovado National Park, Caño Island is considered of great geographical and archaeological importance. This 300-hectare piece of land was formerly a cemetery dating back to the Pre-Columbian era.
But the real beauty of Caño Island is not only on the surface but underwater. The unspoiled waters of this island are some of the bluest in the country and host a spectacular variety of marine flora and fauna as well as wonderful coral reefs.
Named as one of the best diving spots in the world, the Caño Island Biological Reserve is also home to a wide variety of fish, whales, sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, rays, moray eels, barracudas … quite an underwater show.
There are 9 different diving spots at Caño Island allowed to dive, obviously the island has many other very interesting underwater spots, but for conservation reasons they are not open to recreational diving.
White Tip Sharks, Manta Rayas or Turtles are just some of the usual ones that you will find on every dive on Caño Island. Caño Island is a magical point there in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, known as Little Cocos, and it is close to the Humboldt Current, which is why pelagic encounters are very frequent especially at Devil’s Rock.
During this month of February we were looking for Mantas and when they finally appeared, suddenly a Whale Shark also surprised, the Island and the Devil are always full of surprises !! But there we have also dived with False Killer Whales, Imperial Hammers, Bull Sharks, Dolphins and even Whales, you will never forget the experience of hearing the whales sing underwater!
But the beauty of Isla del Caño would not be the same without the invaluable collaboration of the MINAE Rangers who live there throughout the year. There are 4 or 5 officials depending on the time that in turns of about 2 weeks live on the Island isolated from the world and surrounded only by the Ocean dedicating their days to the Island.
Olger, Chumi, Palacios, they all welcome us warmly every day, delighted to exchange some talks between diving and diving, since when we all leave, they will stay there alone, taking advantage of their time to do counts of mollusks, explorations around the island or renovations in their small wood house …. For them the beach, the whales and the waves, only for them until the next day.
Get in touch with CRAD and we will gladly help you organize your visit to Isla del Caño so that you have the best experience and discover unexplored places with us. Pura Vida and Diving!