Islas Catalinas · Costa Rica · Drift · Pelagic & blue water
La Punta
Adult whitetip reef sharks in the deeper water where the drift heads south
La Punta is an unanchored drift that starts on the shallow side of the island and runs south with the current into deeper water, from 12 to 34 m (40-110 ft). It is the most comfortable dive at the Catalinas for looking out for giant manta rays, and adult whitetip reef sharks patrol the deeper section.
Also known as The Point.
Where it is and how deep
10.4765° N, 85.8702° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Boats do not anchor at the Catalina Islands, so La Punta begins with a free descent on the shallow side of the island, at around 12 m (40 ft), straight from the drifting boat rather than down a line. From there the current sets the course. The drift itself is an easy one, and of all the dives at these islands it is the most comfortable way to look out for giant manta rays.
From the shallow side the drift runs south with the current, and the bottom falls away into deeper water that reaches 34 m (110 ft). This deeper section is where adult whitetip reef sharks are seen. Current at the site ranges from noticeable to strong, which keeps it an advanced dive despite the easy drift, and divers need to be comfortable with deeper profiles and conditions that change during the dive.
Marine life and season
- Manta rays
- Reef sharks
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Prime | Prime |
Season follows Islas Catalinas: Manta trips run November to April, with mantas reported into May; the rest of the year the islands dive for sharks, rays and fish schools.
Know before you go
- Current is sometimes strong, and the dive is a live drift with no anchor line to hold on to.
Questions divers ask
How deep is La Punta at the Islas Catalinas?+
La Punta runs from about 12 m (40 ft) on the shallow side of the island to 34 m (110 ft) in the deeper water to the south.
Sources
- Dive sites Islas Catalinas-Catalina Island — Deep Blue Diving
- Punta Catalina, Catalina Islands - Scubago dive site — Scubago
More dive sites in Islas Catalinas
Drift
A south-to-north drift along the western side of the islands
Drift
A channel that is home to whitetip reef sharks, then a coral garden
Pelagic & blue water
The main site for oceanic manta rays in the winter months
Similar dives elsewhere
Hammerhead schools at cleaning stations inside a volcanic crater
Bull sharks work a bait drum in open water; tiger sharks turn up in warmer months.
Grey reef sharks at the mouth, then a drift into the lagoon
Giant manta rays over an offshore bank, 16 m at its deepest