My sister and I had a great time getting our PADI Open Water Diver licenses with Dive Academy Ballena Blanca in December 2012. My sister was a nervous diver and Steve (the owner) and Carlos did a wonderful job putting her at ease. Everyone was professional and helpful, which made the experience a lot of fun. I'm very glad that... More

When I was taking my online PADI course, I chose Ballena Blanca just because it was the closest dive shop to the resort I was going to stay at in Tambor. Little did I know just how providential that decision would turn out. Steve and Geraldine, the owners of the shop, were immensely gracious and supportive (to the point of... More

These are very nice people running a rock solid dive academy. Very clean and professional with all new equipment. My wife and I got certified here while on our honeymoon and were very pleased with the experience. Both Steve and Carlos were excellent instructors and I would highly recommend this dive shop to anyone.

As I have been fascinated from the oceans, the planet's last great living wilderness, for quite a while, I was eager to find out about this whole new world. Carlos Solana made this dream come true. He and his team have proven to be very dilligent, friendly, knowledgabel and professional. I felt safe from the very beginning. Diving has given... More

Had anybody told me I'd be diving one day I would have laughed at them Carlos and his crew made this incredible expierence possible. His amazing patience and assurance coupled with a wonderful and open personality has made it happen even for me! If you are not sure you have the courage - go see Carlos, he'll make it happen!... More

I did several dives with Dive Academy Ballena Blanca in August 2011, including my final Advanced Open Water certification dives, regular open water dives with my brother-in-law, and my son's first open water dive. The operation is great, with new equipment and great staff. Carlos, the head of the operation, is a well-rounded intstructor, equally capable with beginners and experienced... More

I work as Head of Sports and Dive Instructor aboard the 5 star cruise ship The Star Flyer for the company Star Clippers which is presently cruising Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica and i was lucky enough to bump in to Carlos Solana on Isla Tortugas where he has operated a dive academy since before 2008. I was immediately very... More

We went on a 2 tank dive and saw an array of reef life and a wreck as well. The lunch was amazing and on a neat little island that looks like a scene out of some movie. I would definately recomend this to anyone. Our captain/cook was really friendly ( bi-lingual too!) and the owner was one of the... More

I was travelling in Costa Rica together with a friend. I can highly recommend the Dive Academy Ballena Blanca y Costa Rica Pura Vida Swiss Management. We did a day trip to visit the isla de tortuga and we had a great time! The management is very professional, everything worked out and is well organized. We were also served food,... More