We booked two tours with Bucaneros and were very satisfied. We especially enjoyed a trip with Carlos on the boat, where we saw a huge pod of dolphins and were treated to a delicious meal in a beautiful bay. Carlos is a relaxed, caring, and friendly guide. If you're still hungry or thirsty after the tour, the family-run restaurant El Bucanero is a great option.

Caño Island Scuba Diving from Drake Bay
Two guided dives in one of the Pacific's richest sanctuaries: crystal-clear water, volcanic reefs and marine life from turtles to eagle rays, led by a certified dive master.
What to expect
The Caño Island reserve is one of Costa Rica's best dive sites — reefs teeming with life in clear, protected water just off Drake Bay.
Two guided dives with a certified dive master bring sea turtles, rays, reef fish, blacktip reef sharks, and possibly oceanic manta. Boat, permits and lunch are included.
Two guided dives
Volcanic reef and pinnacles full of life.
Turtles, rays & reef fish
Possible Oceanic Manta and Hammerhead sharks
Certified dive master
Bilingual, with all safety equipment.
Boat, permits & lunch
Everything sorted, just bring yourself.
See it for yourself





The itinerary
Meet & gear up
Tank, wetsuit, fins and regulator check, plus a safety briefing on Drake Bay beach.
Boat to Caño Island
A 40- to 50-minute crossing to the reserve, with a briefing on the first dive site on arrival.
First dive
45 to 50 minutes of guided diving, depending on air consumption and dive profile.
Surface interval
A mandatory 45-minute to one-hour rest on the boat, with fruit, water and snacks.
Second dive
Another 45 to 50 minutes at a different reserve site — Devil's Rock, Shark Cave or Paradise, depending on the day's group.
Lunch on the coast
Leave the island for Playa San Josecito or Drake Bay, where lunch is served.
Back to Drake Bay
Final arrival in town, with the rest of the afternoon free.
What's included
- Certified dive master (EN / ES)
- Round-trip boat from Drake Bay
- Park entrance fees & permits
- Two guided dives
- Lunch, water & fruit
- Safety gear & first aid
Not included
- Breakfast before departure
- Alcoholic beverages & snacks
- Sunscreen, repellent & personal items
- Tips for your guide (appreciated)
Good to know
What to bring
Your certification card and logbook, swimwear, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen. Tanks, weights and the rest of the kit come with the trip.
Who it's for
Certified divers. Caño's sites suit open-water level upward; some pinnacles carry current, and your dive master will match the site to the group on the day.
Best season
December to April usually brings the clearest water. Green season diving is still good between systems, with more plankton and, some days, more big life because of it.
Where we meet
On the beach in Drake Bay at 6:30 AM to fit equipment. Remember the no-fly rule — leave a full day between your last dive and any flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be certified?
Yes. This is a two-tank guided dive for certified divers — bring your card. If you are not certified, the Caño Island snorkeling trip visits the same reserve and needs no qualification at all.
What are the dive sites like?
Volcanic pinnacles and rock reef in a protected reserve, typically 12 to 25 metres. Big schools of jack and snapper, white-tip reef sharks, turtles and rays are all regular. Some sites carry current.
Is equipment included?
Tanks, weights and guided dives are included, along with the boat, park permits and lunch. If you want your own regulator and computer, bring them — most divers prefer to.
How long between the two dives?
A proper surface interval, usually around an hour, spent on the boat or at a nearby beach with water and fruit. Your dive master sets it from the profiles you actually swim.
When can I fly after diving?
Standard guidance is at least 18 to 24 hours after a repetitive dive day. If you are flying out of Drake Bay or Palmar Sur, plan your dives for two days before you travel.
Is this tour refundable?
No. Once this tour is confirmed, we purchase non-refundable park tickets, permits or other third-party reservations. If we cancel due to force majeure, we will offer another date or a full refund.
Hear from travelers who chose us
The bioluminescence tour was wonderful. Carlos and Carlos or friend will take you out on a multipurpose boat, the same one their family uses to catch fresh fish for their restaurant. This type of bioluminescence is reactive to the touch. In Drake Bay in mid-July, we went out into the middle of the bay and swam in life jackets. They were willing to do a private tour for a bit longer for a little more, and were very flexible and nice. I felt comfortable at night with a ratio of 1 guide to 3 people, so if swimming in a lifejacket at night in the bay is scary for you, you might inquire about that. It is difficult to climb up to the boat without a ladder on your own, but extremely easy with the captain's helping hand. This bioluminescence is not easily photographable and requires at a minimum a very very large aperture DSLR with very high ISO and sensitivity, and even then it's extremely faint. Think of it as bright as small ephemeral stars in the water, a few dozens whenever you move. The snorkeling goggles are not compatible with prescription glasses, but I preferred personally the clarity of no goggles (which can get foggy), while my companions preferred with goggles. Any night is good as long as the moon is not up in the sky (new moon or near new moon is fine any time of night, but anything else and you have to check the lunar hour by hour moonrise moonset time table). Very nice family, who helped us out a few times when we forgot an item or two. Tasty drinks and food at their restaurant too. Another unnamed popular agency across the street cancelled another bioluminescence tour we booked, disingenuously claiming "weather" (seemed fair weather; I think they didn't get enough customers that night), but Bucaneros Corcovado Tours is very good. Bucarenos Tours honored the scheduled time and has always been straightforward and honorable, and we greatly enjoyed their kindness/hospitality and experience. Muchas gracias para todos 🤎
Thanks Carlos for the amazing kayak tour showing us the bioluminescence! After paddling out in the sea for a while, the biolumnescence was clearly visible from the kajak and even more while swimming in the sea. It was magical!
We booked the Sunset & Bioluminescence Tour as a family, and it was absolutely amazing. Carlos and his friend did an outstanding job throughout the experience. Our kids especially loved when they cut fresh coconuts from the palms and prepared sugar cane for us to try. They even brought along cold beers, which we enjoyed while watching the sunset from the boat. Later, swimming in the glowing water under the pitch-black, starry sky felt truly magical. We can without hesitation recommend this tour. If you're interested, it’s best to visit Bucaneros Restaurant and arrange it directly with them, as the website still needs a bit of improvement . Its worth it! :)
My wife and I were impressed by the professionalism and knowledge of Carlos during our inshore fishing tour today. He tried different spots, different techniques in pursuit of the best experience. We caught Bonito Tuna, Red Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, and Jack. The Jack fish was served at the El Bucanero Restaurante in a Ceviche dish - muy deliciosa!
Reserve your spot
Small groups, licensed local guides, 100% wild. Tell us your dates and we'll get you out on the water.
Chat on WhatsAppReady for Caño Island Scuba Diving from Drake Bay?
Secure your spot with local experts — small groups, licensed guides, 100% wild.
