Looking for the best scuba diving sites in Central America region?
Central America, a part of North America, is a tropical isthmus that connects North America to South America. It includes (7) countries and many small offshore islands. Central America consists of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Their combined population is estimated at 52.18 million (2022).[1]
There is so much life and magic to witness underwater that makes life a little less blue. Such is the irony of life. Plunging into the water gives a feeling of being free and reaching the waterbed makes all the negative thoughts sink away for good.
Did you know that the most vibrant colored creatures and plants can only be seen underwater? Another marvel of mother nature indeed. If you are someone who loves the water as much as Moana (from the movie Moana) did and haven’t tried scuba diving, then this is a sign from Poseidon, the god of water himself to go do it!
List of the 10 Best Scuba Diving Sites in Central America
- List of the 10 Best Scuba Diving Sites in Central America
- 1. The Great Blue Hole, Belize
- 2. Caye Caulker, Belize
- 3. Coco Beach, Costa Rica
- 4. Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
- 5. Santa Catalina, Panama
- 6. Bocas del Toro, Panama
- 7. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
- 8. Mary’s Place, Honduras
- 9. Utila, Honduras
- 10. Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
1. The Great Blue Hole, Belize
It was first discovered by Jacques Cousteau, a French explorer in 1971. He even named this place one of the top 10 scuba dive sites in the world. What’s interesting aside from being the largest sea hole in the world is the precise circular shape. This blue hole has a depth of 108 meters approximately.
Here scuba diving and snorkeling both are permitted. A variety of flora and fauna can be seen here including different types of sharks. Charles Darwin during his voyage around the world termed it one of the most remarkable coral reefs in the world. The clear water gets only clearer as you go deeper.
Contact The Seahorse Dive shop and Belize Master Adventures and book your diving session now! Morning time should be given more preference to witness the underwater magic in its full glory.
Price: $300 – $350
2. Caye Caulker, Belize
If you’re looking for one of the top scuba diving sites in Central America then Caye Caulker is just the place. It is the world’s second-largest barrier reef in Belize and is a part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. If you’re a fan of sharks and stingrays, then this is the right scuba diving site for you.
Many tour companies give entire-day or half-day scuba diving options. It’s a great place for amateurs. April to June is considered the perfect time to dive into Belize.
Price: Full day $65, half-day $25
3. Coco Beach, Costa Rica
One of the most popular scuba diving destinations among tourists. The boulders underwater make up a beautiful landscape that is suitable for beginners and advanced divers. It’s a reef made of volcanic rocks so no corals are present but that is compensated by this reef’s abundance of vibrant fishes, whales, whale sharks, and rays
Companies like Blue dream diving Adventures do bookings daily.
Cost: $90 for one day, 2 tanks
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4. Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
Another diving destination that first includes boating to the destined scuba diving area. It is known for its Manta ray dive which gives a high probability of seeing Manta rays.
Cost: $60 (starting price)
5. Santa Catalina, Panama
Located in Veraguas, Panama. It’s nothing less than a tropical paradise that offers you a splendid local diving experience at an affordable price! Large schools of tropical fishes, various barracuda along with eels, lobsters, crabs, and even turtles can be seen. Whitetip reef sharks and nurse sharks are also quite prominent.
Diving companies like Scuba Coiba and Coiba Dive Center are land-based centers that offer the right guidance and safety needed for scuba diving.
Cost: $120 per person, $140 for a private experience.
6. Bocas del Toro, Panama
A must for divers who want to enjoy the best of both worlds i.e soft and hard reef systems. It’s open throughout the year and is home to some of the best-preserved reefs in the world.
It offers you beginner training courses or advancing diving skills lessons as well.
Cost: $65 for 1 tank dive and $90 for 2 tank dive.
7. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
It gives you a boat ride experience along with diving. This place is known for deep diving where you can dive deeper than 18metres. The underwater cliff dive brings to you vertical walls of sea life that are truly a sight to behold.
Cost: $40+
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8. Mary’s Place, Honduras
One of the best dive sites that are frequently visited by experienced divers. It’s full of soft corals, tube corals, black coral trees, and sea rods both green and gold. It’s popular for its deep volcanic crevices that extend 28m deep underwater and its humongous Reef Walls.
Diving here can be done at any time of the year and the weather conditions make it easy to dive here.
Cost: $55 for a single tank, $100 for two tank dive
9. Utila, Honduras
Want scuba diving certification that doesn’t make a giant hole in your pocket? Well, Utila is known for its high reputation for offering budget-friendly scuba qualifications. Vibrant-colored fishes, seahorses and so much more can be witnessed here. The reefs here are a part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Cost: $68 for 2 dives, $189 for 6 dives.
10. Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
This is the place if you’re looking for the world’s best diving and snorkeling site. It offers a healthy reef ecosystem that provides you with fantastic views of sharks, rays, turtles, and even dolphins. It’s a go-to place for beginners and experienced divers. Blowing rock is a famous location here.
Diving companies like Dolphin Dive and Dive little Corn are popular companies to opt for.
Cost : $35 for 1 tank dive, $70 for a 2 tank dive.
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