Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa

 

Malpais and Santa Teresa are tropical towns of Costa Rica, located on Southern Pacific Coast of Nicoya
Peninsula. The beautiful white-sand beaches are famous for their versatile aquatic sports opportunities,
tropical forests and its desirable isolation. The gulf of Nicoya Peninsula overhangs into the Pacific
Ocean and quite a number of nautical fishes are seen on the surface waters. Costa Rica is on eastern
side of Central Pacific ocean, this area has been known to enjoy a biologically variegated marine life.
Several factors have influenced the diversity of marine creatures such as the country being close to the
equator has several micro-climates and the water nutrients are varied. Compared to the Caribbean side,
the pacific waters contain far more varieties of sea-creatures and a few reefs and
corals.  The ocean on the western side has low temperature and is populated by a large range
of plankton blooms. They make a good snack for fishes and mollusks. Although, reef and corals are few,
but each of them has been inhabited by an immense biosphere. The food chain begins from small
blennioideis, eels, angle-fish, wrasse, puffers to menacing reef sharks.

The ocean on the Mal Pais and Santa Teresa side is packed with plenty of seafaring fish. The beaches,
especially the bay of Manzanillo, are a perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. The beach is
blessed with an appealing seclusion, charged with calming breezes, surging waves and swaying Palm Trees
and Almendro Trees. The high and mid tides are convenient for a swim but there are several underwater
rocks so one should be careful when bathing in the ocean. A ledge of these rocks forms a bounded cove
which is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. The sun light is good in these points and one can
admire the creatures like white tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, tuna fish, jacks
dolphins and barracudas close by.  There are about 650 species of mystical sea-creatures. If
you are snorkeling in October or December, you will catch a school of hump-back whales and pilot whales
floating their way to Antarctic from the Pacific waters of Mal Pais. It is said that many towns in Costa
Rica has spots where the endangered Leather-back turtles and Olive Ridley sea-turtle breed.

The oceanic water of Mal Pais right adjacent to the Cabo
Blanco Nature Reserve Park is still pure and for snorkelers and divers, there is pleasant surprise.
Please note that the morning hours offer the best conditions as the waters are well-lighted.
Furthermore, the dry season is better than wet season, as the rain-fall reduces the visibility up to 100
feet.

There are various local shops nearby the beach that rent snorkeling and scuba diving gear. You can also
take lessons from a professional instructor. Another great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving is
Tortuga Island.  There are many local services and hotels that will arrange a boat trip for
guests to the island. The waters are loaded with merry dolphins, manta-rays and quite a few numbers of
humpback whales.