Caño Island 

Caño Island Biological Marine Reserve is 12 nautical miles or 20 km offshore from Drake Bay. The beauty of Isla del Caño is not found on its land, but underwater. This island's virgin waters are some of the bluest in the country, and are home to a spectacular variety of stunning marine flora and fauna as well as some gorgeous coral reefs. Isla del Caño Biological Reserve is also home to a huge variety of fish, whales and sharks. The complete 2 km perimeter of the Island protected from commercial fishing and any other type of harvesting. With fantastic underwater visibility, one may see on any given day, sea turtles, dolphins, rays, barracudas, and white tip sharks.

Isla del Caño is an island of considerable geographical and archeological importance. This 300-hectare piece of land was formerly a cemetery or burial ground dating back to the pre-Columbian era of the Diquis tribal people. The Costa Rican Park service offers one small beach for visitors. There is a ranger station and a restroom. The tour includes 2 snorkel sessions, snorkel gear, naturalist guide, park entrance fees and a snack. Lunch will be served upon returning to the lodge.

Scuba Diving 

Scuba diving is offered through our local PADI resort dive shop. The 14,300 acres of protected waters surrounding Caño Island Biological Reserve boasts world class scuba diving. The reserve is known for the profusion of marine life and underwater topography. The pinnacles and canyons of volcanic rock are covered by fifteen species of coral and are habitat to tropical reef fish while also offering refuge to schools of oceanic pelagic fish. Highlights of this area's dive locations are the manta and mobula rays, the abundant population of white tip reef sharks, Ridley and Hawksbill turtles and the occasional whale shark.

Due to the protection of the Biological Reserve, it is not uncommon to see fish that have grown naturally to enormous proportions: cubera snapper in the 70lb range and unimaginable sizes of schooling Pacific barracuda, tuna and big-eyed jacks. Dolphins and whales are commonly spotted while traveling the twelve miles between Drake Bay and Caño Island. Two migrations of humpback whales are enjoyed annually; coming from both the southern and the northern hemisphere. The reef is volcanic rock. There are fissures and pinnacles, large boulders and rock formations that create a wall to the depth of 110 ft. Water visibility is exceptional. It ranges from 40 to 90 ft. Temperatures range from 75 to 82 degrees F (23-29 C).