Catalina Islands vs Cabo Pulmo — Dive Destination Comparison
Catalina Islands (Costa Rica) scores 57.6/100 vs Cabo Pulmo's 57.5/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Catalina Islands for pelagic diving with 6–24m visibility. Choose Cabo Pulmo for pelagic diving at ~$120/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Catalina Islands | Cabo Pulmo |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 57.6/100 | 57.5/100 |
| Country | Costa Rica | Mexico |
| Visibility | 6--24m | 9--24m |
| Water temp | 24--29 C | 21--26 C |
| Max depth | 30m | 30m |
| Current | moderate | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $100 | $120 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | December, January, February | July, August, September |
| Dive types | pelagic | pelagic |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | manta ray, hammerhead, bull shark | manta ray, hammerhead, dolphins |
| Google rating | 0 (0 reviews) | 0 (0 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Catalina Islands when...
- + Divers who prioritize pelagic diving
- + Anyone visiting Caribbean for the first time
- + Groups seeking 8+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You prefer uncrowded sites and this has 8+ named spots drawing traffic
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Choose Cabo Pulmo when...
- + Divers who prioritize pelagic diving
- + Anyone visiting Caribbean for the first time
- + Groups seeking 10+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You prefer uncrowded sites and this has 10+ named spots drawing traffic
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Catalina Islands wins on overall score (57.6 vs 57.5), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Catalina Islands is more affordable ($100 vs $120/dive). Cabo Pulmo has better peak visibility (24m vs 24m).