We gave our Scuba Instructors one job:
Find the best and most popular liveaboards in Costa Rica and review them.
Costa Rica is a lovely place that offers divers crisp clear water all year round. You will find Costa Rica is situated between the Pacific Ocean in South America and the Caribbean Sea. Most of the best diving experiences happen in four remote islands namely Cano, Bat, Cocos and Guanacaste Islands. The dive sites along these locations are filled with pelagic species and are ideal for encounters with hammerhead sharks and bull sharks. Itinerieswill generally lasts between 8-10 days.
We’ll help you find the perfect Liveaboard trip, that suits your needs:
It’s difficult to choose wich liveaboard that will suit your needs and how to find the best price on that boat.
So we’ve gathered the best boats and made it possible to compare prices across all the different booking platforms. This way, you’ll get the best boat for your needs at the best price.
Start by sorting the boats after your budget, and find a liveaboard that fits your budget and your needs:
Top 5 Liveaboards In Costa Rica in 2023
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Best Pacific Sailing Liveaboard: Panorama -
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All the top liveaboards in Costa Rica:
Passengers going on a cruise trip onboard the MS Panorama have the opportunity to see stunning views of dramatic volcanoes, waterfalls and glaciers that create unforgettable and fun-filled experiences that would last a lifetime. There are also land visits to geysers and hot springs, as well as a visit to the capital city Reykjavik which runs on geothermal power and is home to Viking museums.
With the comfort and safety of guests a priority, a trip onboard the MS Panorama is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss.
Key facts:
Year built:2014- Rental equip:No
Max divers:48- Camera station:No
- Internet:Yes ($)
Min logged dives:No minimum- Nitrox:Yes ($)
Aircon:Yes
Year built:2014
Rental equip:No
Max divers:48
Camera station:No
Internet:Yes ($)
Min logged dives:No minimum
Nitrox:Yes ($)
Aircon:YesOur Overall Review
Things we like:
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Several divers reported that the itinerary was perfectly planned to produce the most out of each trip. -
Several divers commended the dedication of the crew for being attentive and always having a smile on their face.
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Many people liked the cooking of the chef as he prepared a different meal every evening.
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Many divers said the experience is one that they would repeat every year if they had the means.
Things we don't like:
Some divers said they wanted a more intimate experience on the cruise.- A couple of people noted a slight noise in the evening coming from the engine room.
Some divers said they wanted a more intimate experience on the cruise.
Where to book:
The Argo liveaboard was built in 1985 and has created deep roots in the diving industry in Costa Rica over the last 35 years. It was refurbished in 2008 with modern features to become a luxury liveaboard. This liveaboard has a length of 39meters/129ft and a beamwidth of 7meters/26ft. The MV Argo has a cruising speed of 10 knots and it reaches it by using a CAT D398TA – 634 KW (850HP) @ 1225rpm engine. It will take you all around the pristine waters of Costa Rica.
Key facts:
- Year built:2008
- Rental equip:Yes ($)
- Max divers:18
- Camera station:Yes
- Internet:No
- Min logged dives:No minimum
- Nitrox:No
- Aircon:free
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Many divers said going down with the submersible submarine was a once in a lifetime experience
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A couple of divers noted that got to see hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, marble rays, tiger and silvertip sharks
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People were with the diligent and professional way the staff and crew conducted themselves
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Divers said the weather was always great and they got to do 4-5 dives a day
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Some people said they had the privilege of having two excellent chefs onboard
Things we don't like:
- A couple of divers said these dive sites are more suitable for experienced divers because of the depths of each dive
This liveaboard was built in 1972 and was refurbished in 2014 to all of its splendor that you see now today. With this liveaboard, you will get to view the unmatched beauty of the Costa Rican Islands and the abundant underwater landscapes. The Okeanos Aggressor I have a length of 33meters/110ft and a beamwidth of 7meters/24ft. Divers will be pleased to know that the liveaboard has a cruising speed of 10 knots which will make getting to dive spots quicker than with normal vessels.
Key facts:
- Year built:2014
- Rental equip:Yes ($)
- Max divers:20
- Camera station:Yes
- Internet:Yes ($)
- Min logged dives:No minimum
- Nitrox:Yes ($)
- Aircon:Yes
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Divers said that everyone that you looked you were exposed to sharks
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Some people said they loved the hike in the jungle on Cocos Island
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Divers commended the crew and staff for being friendly and helpful
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Divers said they liked the fact they got fresh towels and fruit every time they got back from a dive
Things we don't like:
- A couple of divers noted that national park decides where dives should take place
- Some divers said the boat was cramped and outdated
The Safari Voyager was built in 1982 and renovated in 2016 and is large enough to house up to 66 passengers. This liveaboard has four decks and is still in pristine condition. This cruise ship is ideal for experiencing the best of Costa Rica and Panama. The boat has a length of 53meters/174ft and a beamwidth of 10meters/36ft. It can reach a cruising speed of 9 knots. Moreover, there are 36 cabins on this liveaboard that has all the comforts of home.
Key facts:
- Year built:2016
- Rental equip:No
- Max divers:62
- Camera station:No
- Internet:No
- Min logged dives:No minimum
- Nitrox:No
- Aircon:Yes
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Many people said the crew was friendly and always took care of guests
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A couple of guests mentioned that the boat was in immaculate condition
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The boat has yoga and gym facilities
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The food was exceptionally prepared by the chefs and cooks
Things we don't like:
- We looked but could not find any bad commentary about the Safari Voyager
Where to book:
The Sea Hunter was built in 1994 and has been cruising the waters of Costa Rica ever since. Originally this vessel operated in the Gulf of Mexico as a commercial dive-support vessel in the lucrative oil industry. It has a length of 35meters/115ft and a beamwidth of 7meters/26ft. It can reach a top speed of 10 knots and maintain a cruising speed of 9.5 knots due to the twin GM 16V92 / 1200 total hp engines. This liveaboard also uses two 24ft fiberglass dive tenders to transport divers to the designated dive spots.
Key facts:
- Year built:1994
- Rental equip:Yes ($)
- Max divers:20
- Camera station:Yes
- Internet:No
- Min logged dives:No minimum
- Nitrox:No
- Aircon:Yes
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Divers commended the dive instructors and skiff drivers for picking locations with plenty of marine life
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Many people said the boat had a great design and utilized all of the space onboard
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Divers said the crew was always in a good mood and kept their spirits high
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A couple of divers said they liked diving in Coco as there weren’t any other divers at the dive spots
Things we don't like:
- Some divers said they went in the off season and there wasn’t much to see
Best time to go
Diving in Costa Rica is usually done all year round. Cano marine reserve will only be accessible between January and June. However, most liveaboard diving takes place between June and December because of the plankton boom in the wet season.
The best diving destinations in Costa Rica
Costa Rica will be a joy for any enthusiastic diver seeking a thrilling adventure. There are countless islands to explore and each destination is better than the next. We have chosen some of the best destinations to give you a glimpse of what a liveaboard trip would look like.
BAT ISLANDS
You will reach depths of 100 ft/30 m at Bat Island that is a haven for attracting bull sharks. The area is more suitable for advanced divers and should not be attempted by novices.
CATALINA ISLANDS
The cave diving at Catalina Island is a popular dive activity amongst divers. It is also full of vibrant coral growth on volcanic formations. There are interesting arches that give different layers to the cave. This destination is available all year round.
COCOS ISLAND
The secluded island of Coco’s may be void of people but it makes up for that with a host of different marine life. The island is also famous for its hammerhead shark diving experiences.
CAÑO ISLAND
The best place to get to see large marine species is at Cano Island. There you will be exposed to orcas, humpbacks, manta rays, dolphins and pilot whales.
TORTUGA ISLANDS
A dive trip won’t be complete without visiting some wreck sites. Tortuga Island along the pacific coast will offer you many opportunities to explore wrecks like the Caroline Star, the Franklin Chang, and the Colonel Alfonso Monge wrecks.
Information to know about liveaboard diving in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica is a tourist hot-spot with various dive locations in the region.
- Getting to Costa Rica is easy with its major airport Juan Santamaría International Airport. This airport is situated close to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose. There is also another international airport in Liberia named Guanacaste. You will be pleased to know that both of these airports are well connected to Europe and North and Central America.
- The majority of liveaboards can be accessed through the port of Puntarenas. It will take approximately 3 hours to drive from San Jose to the port.
- Many of these sites are UNESCO sites and some will require you to pay a fee. The currency most accepted in US dollars.
- The currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colon.
- The best diving sites in Costa Rica include Calypso’s, Guanacaste, Catalina Islands, Coco, and Ocotal Beach.
- Some of the marine life that frequents this region is grunts, snapper, octopus, and eel. You can also expect some bigger pelagic creatures like a manta ray, humpback whales, pilot whales, orcas, dolphins, and whale sharks.
- There are various shark cave diving experiences that you can undertake. This is a unique activity in Costa Rica and some diving experience will be needed.
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