Scuba Diving Bat Island
Craving Adventure?
Bat Islands is unlike any other shark dive you will do.
We pride ourselves on protecting its residents and because of that it is now one of the only places in the world where you can consistently encounter bull sharks in a safe, natural environment. Due to a cleaning station the bull sharks are naturally attracted to this place where we can observe them slowly swimming by and getting treated by their resident caretakers. This natural interaction allows us to get a good look at these amazing animals without any baiting or disturbing of their ecosystems.
El Gran Susto (Bat Islands)
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Full-Day Advanced Scuba Adventure
El Gran Susto (“The Big Scare”) is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic and thrilling scuba diving sites, located in the Bat Islands (Islas Murciélago) within Santa Rosa National Park. This legendary site is famous for powerful pelagic encounters and unforgettable shark interactions.
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Dive Requirements
El Gran Susto is a deeper dive, with depths reaching up to 30 meters (100 ft).
For safety reasons, divers must:
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Hold an Advanced Open Water certification, or
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Book a private instructor to remain within shallower depth limits
Not Advanced certified yet but want to unlock more epic dives like this?
👉 Learn more about our Advanced Open Water Course
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The Experience
Our Bat Islands adventures are full-day expeditions designed for divers seeking something truly special.
The day begins early, with a 5:45 a.m. departure from Tamarindo, followed by an approximately two-hour navigation to this remote and protected marine area.
Once we arrive, you’ll complete three exhilarating dives, with relaxed surface intervals in between to rest, refuel, and take in the surroundings. Between dives, you’ll unwind onboard, enjoy snacks and a light lunch, and share stories with your guides as we move between dive sites. Depending on sea conditions and wildlife encounters along the way, we typically return to Tamarindo between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.
This experience is the ultimate adventure for experienced divers, combining powerful marine encounters, expert guiding, and the raw beauty of one of Costa Rica’s most remote underwater environments.
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What We Include
Because Bat Islands is a remote and wild marine environment, this expedition is highly dependent on weather, sea conditions, and seasonal marine activity. Conditions determine not only our navigation and dive sites, but also the types of wildlife we may encounter on any given day — which is part of what makes each trip truly unique.
To ensure the highest standards of safety, comfort, and dive quality, we operate with small, intentionally limited groups, with a minimum of four divers and a maximum kept low to allow for personalized guiding and calm underwater experiences. This approach allows our guides to adapt each dive to your experience level, interests, and comfort in the water.
Why Mira?
At Mira Diving, our focus goes beyond simply spotting marine life. We specialize in shark-focused diving experiences, led by guides trained in shark behavior, communication, and safe interaction.
You won’t just see sharks — you’ll learn how they move, how they communicate, how to read their body language, and how to interact confidently and respectfully within their environment. Along the way, encounters may include bull sharks, matarays, schools of pelagic fish, marlins, and on rare occasions, whale sharks, depending on conditions and season. This experience is designed for ocean lovers who seek understanding, connection, and respect for wildlife, not crowds or rushed dives — a full-day expedition that combines adventure, education, and some of the most powerful marine encounters Costa Rica has to offer.
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