Unforgettable Shark Diving and Big Animal Encounters

Trip Reports

Costa Rica Diving Expedition 2021

By October 3, 2021No Comments

A Big Fish Expeditions Trip Report

Bull shark diving at the Bat Islands.
Shark and Ray Diving

Our original plan was to scuba dive with humpback whales but poor visibility made whale encounters almost impossible so we concentrated on diving with Costa Rica’s cartilaginous megafauna instead.

We were based in the Playa del Coco, which meant we had easy access to a group of nearby islands called Islas Catalinas. We were also able to visit the Bat Islands; a great spot to get up close with bull sharks without the need for bait.

All told, we encountered seven species of sharks and rays:

  • Bull Sharks
  • Whitetip Reef Sharks
  • Eastern Pacific Spotted Eagle Rays
  • Longtail Stingrays
  • Gorgona Guitarfish
  • Giant Electric Rays
  • Leopard Round Stingrays
Diving with Sharks and Rays in Costa Rica
Gorgona Guitarfish Diving in Costa Rica.

Gorgona Guitarfish

One seen on three separate dives south of Playa del Coco.

More info about gorgona guitarfish

Stingray Diving in Costa Rica.

Longtail Stingray

One or two seen on most dives at Islas Catalinas

More info about longtail stingrays

Leopard Round Stingray

Leopard Round Stingrays

Between two and ten on every dive except at the Bat Islands.

More info about leopard round stingrays

Giant electric ray

Giant Electric Rays (aka Cortez Electric Rays)

One at a site south of Playa del Coco.

More info about giant electric rays

Pacific spotted eagle ray at the Bat Islands

Pacific Spotted Eagle Rays

Six at a pinnacle close to the Bat Islands.

More info about Pacific eagle rays

Diving with bull sharks at the Bat Islands

Bull Sharks

About a dozen on each dive at ‘Big Scare’ dive site at the Bat Islands.

More info about Bull Sharks

Whitetip Reef Sharks in Costa Rica

Whitetip Reef Sharks

A handful on most dives we did at Islas Catalinas.

More info about Whitetip Reef Sharks

Pacific spotted eagle ray at the Bat Islands
 
 
 
Diving with bull sharks at the Bat Islands
 
Gorgona Guitarfish Diving in Costa Rica.
 
Stingray Diving in Costa Rica.
 
Whitetip Reef Sharks in Costa Rica
 
 
 
 
Giant electric ray
 
Gorgona Guitarfish Diving in Costa Rica.
 
 
Stingray Diving in Costa Rica.
 
Bull Shark Diving in Costa Rica.
 
 
Stingray Diving in Costa Rica.
 
Leopard Round Stingray
 
 
Gorgona Guitarfish Diving in Costa Rica.
 
Diving with Sharks and Rays in Costa Rica
 
Bull shark diving at the Bat Islands.
 
Eastern Pacific Spotted Eagleray