Cupcakes
Catalina Islands · Costa Rica
Twin volcanic rocks break the surface here, and divers work the channels and sand shelves between them past small caves and swim throughs. Schools of king angelfish sweep the rock while white tip reef sharks rest on the sand. In the cool water season the site is a reliable spot for giant Pacific manta rays feeding in the current.
Conditions
Depth
9 to 27 m
Open water and up
Current
Usually gentle
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
12 to 18 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
17 to 28°C
Shorty or rash guard
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 |
| Vis (m) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 18 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate |
Your chances of seeing each animal
King Angelfish
Last confirmed Feb 27, 2026 · 44 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Cortez Rainbow Wrasse
Last confirmed Jun 21, 2026 · 56 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Whitetip Reef Shark
Last confirmed Jun 17, 2026 · 24 records
Very likely
Most dives
Panamic Green Moray
Last confirmed Feb 19, 2026 · 24 records
Very likely
Most dives
Giant Pacific Manta Ray
Last confirmed Apr 3, 2026 · 7 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Gear