Bat Islands
Caujiniquil, Guanacaste , Costa Rica
May or September 2024
Bat Islands, Caujiniquil, Guanacaste, Cost Rica:
The Bat Islands are located just north of the Guanacaste off the coast of Santa Rosa National Park. The area has been protected as a marine preserve as part of the national park. Mountains, jungles, and mangroves all share space on the islands and therefore, make for fun opportunities to explore. There are hiking opportunities, kayaking in the mangroves, untouched beaches, and tons of wildlife that we don’t normally see including lots of different types of frogs, leaf cutter ants, hundreds of tropical bird species, and more. The most incredible part is the number of bull sharks that congregate to this area. Scientists are studying why they congregate there, and we are hoping that you all will get to be a part of the experience.
Here's a sample intinerary from a previous trip but we can customize each trip based on our guests' wishes to curate the ultimate experience. But the schedule below can provide an example of all the unique exciting activities in store for you in Costa Rica. These experiences ar not your typical tourist packages you will be able to participate in actual scientific excursions!! We still leave plenty of time to relax and explore on you own if you prefer and of course we can tailor your experience to your vision.
Day 1 – Arrive Costa Rica- Liberia Airport
4:30 pm Organizing field gear at hotel
7:00 pm Dinner at Ivannia’s Restaurant
Optional Beach Exploration or Mangrove Kayaking
Day 2 – Monitoring sharks & rays with BRUVS- (baited remote underwater video systems)
5:30 am Breakfast at Ivannia’s house
6:00 am Leaving to Bat Island
8:15 am First deployment of Baited Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS)
8:30 am First dive at Bajo Negro, Bat Island
10:00 am Second deployment of BRUVS
10:45 am Second dive at El Gran Susto, Bat Island
12:30 pm Lunch
1:15 pm Return trip to Cuajiniquil
3:15 pm Arriving to Cuajiniquil
4:00 pm Rinse and organize all field equipment at the hotel
5:00 pm Data entry from field activities
7:00 pm Dinner at the Restaurant / Ivannia’s house
Optional Beach Exploration or Mangrove Kayaking
Day 3 – Monitoring sharks & rays with BRUVS
5:30 am Breakfast at Ivannia’s house
6:00 am Leaving to Bat Island
8:15 am First deployment of BRUVS
8:40 am First dive at Pochote, Bat Island
10:00 am Second deployment of BRUVS
10:35 am Second dive at El Gran Susto, Bat Island
12:00 pm Lunch
1:15 pm Return trip to Cuajiniquil
3:15 pm Arriving to Cuajiniquil
4:00 pm Rinse and organize all field equipment at the hotel
5:00 pm Data entry from field activities
7:00 pm Dinner at the Restaurant / Ivannia’s house
Optional Beach Exploration or Mangrove Kayaking
Day 4 – Monitoring of sharks & rays with fishing methods
6:00 am Breakfast at Ivannia’s house
6:30 am Leaving to Santa Elena Bay
7:15 am Arriving to Santa Elena Bay
7:30 am Deployment of bottom long-lines
7:40 am Snorkel to catch rays with hand nets
8:45 am Measuring and tagging sharks and rays captured
9:45 am Deployment of bottom long-lines
10:00 am Snorkel to catch rays with hand nets
11:15 am Measuring and tagging sharks and rays captured
12:00 pm Lunch at Pintadero
1:15 pm Fun snorkel at El Hachal
2:45 pm Rinse and organize all field equipment at Minor’s house
4:00 pm Pizza fun activity at the ranch for early dinner
Optional Beach Exploration or Mangrove Kayaking
Day 5 – Return trip
7:30 am Breakfast at the Restaurant
9:00 am Leaving to Liberia airport
Diving Bat Islands:
The diving is amazing in the protected marine preserve with tons of life – both shallow and pelagic. It is not unheard of to see humpback whales and manta rays in this area. The bottom is made up of huge boulders and pinnacles making great homes for pretty reef fish but also highways for pelagic fish. While the Pacific side is one of the best areas to dive, there are heavy currents and just like on the East Coast of Florida, we will be drifting.
We will be doing negative entries in order to navigate to the site. It’s very important that divers are confident and self-aware, especially when diving with the bulls. There are two well-known spots where the bull sharks congregate. If we do a dive with them, we will descend and ascend all together. We are therefore, recommending that you have your Advanced and Nitrox for this trip.
Donations
Ocean Energy World is the ocean stewardship division of the Naidip Foundation, a 501C3 non profit organiztion dedicated to forming a better world for all future generations.
For just a $1500 per person tax deductible donation, donors are invited to join scientists on a 5 day / 4 night experience that creates unbelievable memories while supporting the scientific community in their efforts in marine conservation and contributes to the small local community of Caujiniquil, Costa Rica.
The packages includes round-trip airport transportation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, unlimited kayak use, access to trails, untouched beaches and more. Airfare and lodging are not included.
Hotel- Bahia Santa Elena Lodge
ROOM OPTIONS:
Our preferred hotel when diving the Bat Islands is Bahia Santa Elena Lodge. This family owned lodge is built almost entirely of exotic woods and offers comfortable rooms with 1 - 4 beds. Pricing and availability subject to travel dates. We are good friends with the owners of Santa Elena Lodge and will help make sure you have the best accomodations to suit your needs.
