Marine conservation
Since 2016, at DIVE COSTA RICA we have been committed to marine conservation and the implementation of good practices to protect our oceans. In addition, we prioritize the education and ongoing training of our staff to ensure a positive and responsible impact on the marine environment.
Strategic Alliances
Being located within a Nature Resort in Punta Leona has given us a unique opportunity to work in a fluid and collaborative manner. The shared mentality of protection and conservation between both entities has been an essential pillar, allowing us to develop together various innovative and effective conservation projects.
Mareblu is a non-profit organization located in Punta Leona, which has led the creation and strategic support in the installation of artificial reefs and coral gardening.
Projects
1
Artificial reefs
In 2019, together with Hotel and Club Punta Leona and with the support of Mareblu, we began an ambitious conservation project focused on the installation of 150 concrete balls, simulating an artificial reef in the Playa Blanca area. After obtaining the necessary permits, we completed the first phase with 25 reefs, and we have currently reached 60, which have proven to attract abundant marine life, as initially projected.
2
Coral Gardening
We subsequently certified 12 coral gardeners. Since 2020, we have been working with this innovative technique, which has proven to be highly efficient and effective in developing coral fragments that contribute to the repopulation and restoration of these ecosystems.
Coral Restorement
Punta Leona
At Dive Costa Rica, we have always been committed to marine conservation. For the past four years, we have worked responsibly on several marine conservation projects, such as coral restoration in the Punta Leona and Herradura area. Thanks to the support of various experts in the field and to your help, we have achieved 100% success in 2024. The corals we have isolated in the coral garden, installed since January 2024, have grown and remained in excellent condition. Therefore, we need you and want you to be part of this important restoration effort. On November 30th and December 1st, we will carry out the second phase of the coral garden in Punta Leona, following the successful first phase completed in January. In this second phase, we need your help. We will remove the coral fragments from the structure, break them up, and relocate them to a specific area already identified by the experts. This stage requires significant community support, as handling and manipulating the fragments is quite delicate; however, we have expert guidance throughout the process. It's important to clarify that anyone can participate in the coral experience, regardless of whether they have a diving license. Training will be offered where participants will learn about the different types of coral, their handling, and basic maintenance. This training will be offered only once per person and will be led by marine biologist Sileny Calderón, who manages projects at the Bach Club and Nature Resort Punta Leona, and our coral gardener/diving instructor, Luis Diego Cantillano, from Dive Costa Rica. Participants will receive an internationally recognized, non-expiring Coral Identification (CSI) certificate. Itinerary: • Virtual class (date and time to be determined with participants) Saturday, November 30: • Coral removal from structures (divers) • Cleaning structures on the boat (non-divers) • Coral fragmentation (divers and non-divers) • Placement of new landscaping on structures (divers) Sunday, December 1: • Coral tagging on the boat (non-divers) • Coral relocation to their new home (divers) Includes: • SSI International Certification • Entrance to Punta Leona • Diving equipment (certified divers) • Dive boat Cost: • Divers: $250 • Non-divers: $150 For reservations and more information, please contact us via WhatsApp: 8717-2883.
