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Visit legendary Cano Island on a fascinating day trip.
The greatest attractions of Caņo Island lie beneath the water surrounding the island. Skin Diver magazine has rated the site as among the best in the world and one of the newest hotspots for adventure diving.
This virgin area offers a variety of unique diving attractions from reefs averaging 15 feet deep to 80' "walls". The rock formations are of volcanic origins; sea fans, cup coral and head coral are the most common.
Because of its status as a biological reserve, the diving on Caņo Island is regulated. The name of the game here is "SHARKS"! Lots of sharks, White-tips, ranging in size from 6 to 10 feet long as well as sea turtles and huge snapper and grouper.
While diving Cano Island you will see both open ocean (pelagic) and reef fish. Depending upon the time of year you could sea humpback whales, pilot whales, silky sharks, bull sharks, and whale sharks. You may encounter large manta rays with wingspans of 20 feet or more and hundreds more small mantas. Also, you may see parrot fish, puffers, damsel fish moray eels and large schools of barracuda.
The visibility around Cano Island usually ranges from 50 to 100 feet+, and varies from site to site. The water temperature ranges from the upper 80's to the low 70's and therefore minimizes the need for exposure protection.
Isle del Caņo became a biological reserve in 1978, helping to preserve an important part of the natural and indigenous history of Costa Rica. During pre-Columbian times, this place was an Indian cemetery. Excavations have revealed rests of pottery, carved stone artifacts and one of the major findings have been the stone spheres typical of Diquis, that present impressive roundness.
The island belongs to the tropical rainforest and its vegetation is varied, presenting very tall trees and evergreen flora full of life. Almost 158 species of superior plants and ferns, bromeliads, orchids and heliconians with their exuberant flowers and appealing colors are part of the scenery offered here. Fauna is not very abundant, nevertheless you will be able to see fishing eagles, galivan congrejero, boas, bats tepenzcuintles, frogs, zorros and some types of butterflies and beetles. Also, hikes along the island can surprise visitors since some of the famous stone spheres can still be observed.
A 26 ft custom center console speeds you across open blue water to the island with a few stops through the day for some sport fishing with shots at sailfish, marlin, tuna, mahi mahi (dorado), snapper, roosterfish and more of Costa Rica's gamefish species.
Please inquire about prices and note that this is not a Quepos, Manuel Antonio area dive, but an excursion covering more than 55 miles each way and should not be confused with our Quepos and Manuel Antonio scuba diving options.