Caño Island Biological Reserve is one of the best snorkel/scuba dive spots in Costa Rica as it houses an abundance of marine life. It’s famous for the pre-Columbian artifacts found on the island and many biologists come to research the coral living there.
You can take snorkel/scuba dive day trips to Cano Island from Uvita. It’s about a 1.5 hour boat ride departing from Marino Ballena National Park, then you snorkel for a couple hours at the island and head back along the coast for stunning views after having lunch on one of the nearby islands.
You can see dolphins, turtles, all sorts of fish like snappers, jacks, trumpet fish, pufferfish, parrotfish and more. Other animals to see are manta/eagle rays and white tip reef sharks.
You can read about our Caño Island snorkeling trip. Definitely a must do!
If you are a scuba diver, there are some scuba diving outfitters in the area so you can experience more of the island.