Costa Rica diving off Manuel Antonio
Until you’ve seen them from sea you haven’t truly witnessed the wonders of Manuel Antonio’s beaches. Few visitors realize it, but 90% of the park’s 738,000 hectares lie underwater, where you'll marvel at the colorful marine life that greets you on every dive.
A relaxing way to see the park from above and below the water is aboard Spanish Dancer, a 40-foot, fully shaded ocean cruiser. Their "Learning Adventure" cruises head out every morning year-round, and in high season a later cruise concludes at sunset. Both provide ample opportunities to participate in interactive dolphin studies while enjoying the seductive panorama of the Manuel Antonio beaches -- the perfect Costa Rica diving vacation.
A Planet Dolphin cruise starts the day with snorkeling off Manuel Antonio’s Playa Biesanz. On the way, you may spy surfing fans and sportfishing boats and other tourism highlights of the area. Then you move closer inshore for pictures of sloths and monkeys near Playa Escondido, and finally farther out in pursuit of dolphins, flying fish and aquatic birds. Lessons are free for first-time snorkelers
Interactive marine studies
The first to lead scheduled dolphin and whale watch cruises offshore from Manuel Antonio, Planet Dolphin is the only organization conducting interactive dolphin and marine studies here and boasts eight years experience in these waters. (Other boats here focus on fishing or scuba diving.)
On each cruise, the crew hands out tally sheets with photos of each type of aquatic life and bird species so everyone can participate in ongoing research by counting the different varieties seen each day. This may include Humpback whales, Hawksbill Turtles, Spinner dolphins, and birds such as the White Ibis and Laughing Gull
Snorkeling the rocks
The crew was very accommodating when our correspondent was there in February. Snorkeling was exceptional that day. Everyone wanted to spend more time in the water, so the crew adjusted the schedule accordingly -- and there was still time to sight several dolphins and a big turtle.
Snorkeling can be very good near Manuel Antonio, especially in spots where the volcanic floor contains intriguing rock structures that serve as underwater "resorts" for a variety of aquatic life. In some places, the floor of this intriguing piece of marine real estate drops off dramatically, and huge, multihued fish emerge frequently from the depths.
Planet Dolphin also offers a six-day "Learning Week" package that goes beyond the sea to also visit rainforest canopies and estuaries, and horseback riding through the jungle, and rafting the Rio Naranjo to study plants and trees far from the beach hotels, luxury villas, and nightlife. The fee includes local transportation, breakfast and lunch, hotel and a Research Guide Book with map.
Dolphin watch among Manuel Antonio's top attractions
Highly recommended by our staff writers, Planet Dolphin is as popular with locals as with tourists. A day aboard Spanish Dancer is likely to be high on your list of favorite memories when you recall your vacation in Manuel Antonio. Their Web site is a good place learn about local marine and bird life and pick up more news before you visit. It has a chart of annual sightings and seasonal information.
In the fall of 2005, Planet Dolphin started a day and sunset cruise on a 60-foot catamaran, which also includes snorkeling.
info@costaricauncovered.com
