Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Scuba diver exploring underwater depths, capturing marine adventure vibes.
📷 Debal Das · Pexels

Jardín Medio

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.3 12 species 40 contributors

Jardín Medio near Caño Island offers year-round diving in a protected reserve with coral monitoring and diverse marine life.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Reserva Biológica Isla del Cañ… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
Water temp
24–28°C
MPABleachingRiskPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Water temp
24–28 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Blacktip reef shark, Bottlenose dolphin, Green sea turtle, Hawksbill turtle

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Jardín Medio location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.7 kn
Wave
1.14 m
Water
30.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: S (21%)
Now: N (349°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.77m

Next: Low at 01:00 (-0.02m)

+1.4 m0 m-0.4 m
▼ 01:00 · -0.02m ▲ 07:00 · +1.27m ▼ 14:00 · -0.05m ▲ 20:00 · +1.05m Now +0.2m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV9.25 · very high Air PM2.55 · good 05:25 17:33
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 6.5 1.16 9 4mm
09-19 10.1 1.14 8 13mm
09-20 8.6 1.12 9 15mm
09-21 11.3 1.04 2 9mm
09-22 9.3 1.04 9 6mm
09-23 9.3 1.04 8 6mm
09-24 12.6 1.06 9 15mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 9.6°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (24–28°C)

About this spot

Jardín Medio is a dive site near Caño Island, located within the Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño, a marine protected area on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The reserve status means the site receives active management and monitoring, including coral health tracking. This protection supports a healthy marine ecosystem with documented species observations available to divers and researchers. The site sits in a region known for productive Pacific waters. Year-round diving is possible, making it accessible throughout the calendar. The site name—Jardín Medio, or "middle garden"—suggests a reef or rocky formation with varied habitat structure typical of Costa Rica's island diving. Coral bleaching is listed as a status to watch, which is standard for tropical Pacific sites exposed to temperature fluctuations. The reserve's protected status and active monitoring help support reef resilience. Twelve documented species observations and three community videos provide insight into marine life encounters and site conditions. Divers should confirm current access requirements and any permit needs for the reserve before planning a trip, as protected areas often have specific rules or guide requirements.

📖 Guide: Diving in Costa Rica: 10 Sites Where Sharks Meet Turtles

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Blacktip reef sharkBottlenose dolphinGreen sea turtleHawksbill turtle

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🤿 Pack: 3/2 mm shorty
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8796km · ~2023kg · €36

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 89/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 1h east · 1 day recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Jardín Medio?

Diving is possible year-round at Jardín Medio. Check local conditions and sea state before booking, as Pacific swells and visibility can vary seasonally.

What marine life can I see here?

Twelve species observations are documented at the site. Review community videos and local operator reports for current sightings before your dive.

Is this site protected or regulated?

Yes, Jardín Medio lies within the Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño. Confirm access requirements and any required permits or guide rules with local authorities or operators before diving.

What is the coral bleaching status?

Coral bleaching is flagged as a watch status. The reserve's protection and monitoring help support reef health. Current conditions may vary; ask local dive operators for recent observations.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving Cocos Island in 2025... (Shot in 8K)

Dive Hard

Famed Monkey Head - Virador - Costa Roca - 4K

WaterTrek 360

Top 10 Best Dive Spots in the World - Travel Video 2024

Travel Insights
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Feb (100/100) Worst: Oct (0/100) Now: Sep (5/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

El Andia - Jureles Costa Rica Diving
🇨🇷 Costa Rica

El Andia - Jureles

El Andia - Jureles is a year-round dive site near Isla del Caño in Costa Rica's protected marine reserve, known for its marine biodiversity and reef habitat.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
La esquina del jardin Costa Rica Diving
🇨🇷 Costa Rica

La esquina del jardin

La Esquina del Jardín offers year-round diving in Costa Rica's protected Isla del Caño reserve, known for diverse marine life and coral recovery.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
La Cueva Costa Rica Diving
🇨🇷 Costa Rica

La Cueva

La Cueva is a year-round dive site near Isla del Caño, Costa Rica, protected within a biological reserve and known for diverse marine life.

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

El Arco Costa Rica Diving
🇨🇷 Costa Rica

El Arco

El Arco is a year-round dive site near Isla del Caño in Costa Rica's protected marine reserve, known for diverse marine life and scenic rock formations.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Sabolon kecil dive site

Sabolon Kecil offers year-round diving off a remote Indonesian island with documented marine life and emerging coral health data.

Intermediate
Twin Island Dive Indonesia Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Twin Island Dive

Twin Island Dive offers year-round diving in Indonesia with active community observation of 12+ species and recent coral health alerts.

Intermediate
Kakatua reef Indonesia Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Kakatua reef

Kakatua Reef offers year-round diving in Raja Ampat with diverse marine life and 12 documented species observations.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →