Scuba Diving Fishing Land Rafting Xtreme Adventures Things 2DO

What The Pros Say

Brian Bolton

Harlequin Shrimp. by Kevin Bolton

Diving Services

The Divemaster asked, on the first day, about the set up of our gear in terms of weights, integrated systems, trim weights, etc. Once informed, the staff set up our gear to our satisfaction. Every day thereafter, our gear was properly set up and secured after diving. I especially noted that the tanks were properly secured to the BC’s and this was the first time that I can remember an operation setting up gear where at least one person's tank did not come loose at least once. Before each dive, the Divemaster gave a complete and thorough briefing. The crewmembers obviously knew the areas well and were conscious of the sites that had a tendency to have current. They bypassed a few dive sites on one or two occasions because of unacceptable current. They did not seem to be in a hurry while seeking safer dive sites and it appeared that the crew was interested only in good diving experiences.

However, current is unavoidable in Costa Rica and a few times we ran into surge and/or current. In the briefings, the Divemaster covered procedures for diving in current including descent and ascent procedures, lost diver procedures, and contingencies. On each dive, there was a trailing crew-diver who made sure that there were no stragglers or that anyone who ran low on air would be accompanied to the surface safely. The Divemaster also informed the group as to the signals that he wanted to use concerning air status and marine life identification during the dives. The signals were simple, easy to learn in a few seconds and similar to those used the past. No one got lost or ran out of air during any dive. However, it is a good idea to bring a safety sausage and a surface signaling device if you are going to dive in Costa Rica.

Plentiful fresh fruits were available for each dive along with water and cold soft drinks. Cookies and chips were also available. The views during safety stops were stunning.

Interestingly, a staff member usually poured water for each diver before each dive indicating the need to hydrate in a courteous yet direct manner.

A few folks, my son included, were stung once or twice by jellyfish-like animals referred to as “golden threads”. The crew had a solution available to treat the same. I packed a DAN Personal Guardian kit and added an anti-sting stick to the package. The Lands End Oil sea sting ointment in a stick manufactured by International Ozone Technologies was very useful. The sting stop worked better to eliminate the pain and the cortisone ointment in the DAN pack reduced the subsequent itching my son experienced over the next few days. I also recommend bringing the following items: Alleve, Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, aspirin and Dramamine.

One Of Many Whitetip Reef Sharks. By Brian Bolton

Boats

Ocotal has three boats that they use for diving. We rode mostly on the Ahi, a 32 foot fishing style boat, with a small cabin, a head, and a fly bridge. This boat could be converted for fishing or diving. Interestingly, Ocotal has fashioned a removable square steel tank holder that will hold up to 25 tanks that is placed into the Ahi when it is being used for diving. The other boat we rode on was the Anita, an open style fishing boat about the same length as the Ahi, with a fly bridge. The ride to the dive sites on both boats was quick and comfortable.

Notably, the boats have inboard engines and the Ahi has a tendency to draft exhaust into the seating areas. Thus, some of us found ourselves either sitting on the bow or standing by the front window of the boat to escape the exhaust while in transit. Other divers did not seem to care about the exhaust. The crew seemed to be aware of the problem and opened windows or positioned the boat in such a way as to keep the exhaust downwind. However, when getting into the boat, the diver gets, for a few moments, a face full of exhaust upon reentry. When returning to the Ahi, we learned to stay well away from the stern while divers were being recovered and to move quickly to get back onto the boat. Also, on one morning, the battery ran down on the Ahi and the engines would not start after the first dive. We drifted for an hour or less before the Anita arrived with a spare battery. The crew gave us the option of going ahead with the second dive or returning and we unanimously voted to do the second dive. However, had it not been for the breakdown, I would neither have had the opportunity to shoot some nice photos of the surrounding islands while drifting nor would I have gotten this shot of a Devil ray which jumped right into the photo I was shooting of the Catalina islands.

Exit from the boats could be done by back roll off the side or giant stride off the stern platform. Recovery on the Ahi, which did not have a ladder, was accomplished by shedding gear to the crew and then doing a “Shamu” onto the dive platform. The crew made sure to advise all divers to inflate their B.C.’s before ditching the same to the crew member lest it sink to the bottom.