In Cocos you go to see the pelagic, especially hammerhead sharks, but also sharks, manta rays, and huge schools of fish. Whale sharks, marlins and dolphins have been spotted on some occasions. The depths of the island are rich in pinnacles of volcanic rock, the best of diving is found between 15 and 30 meters deep, around these pinnacles. Visibility varies from 15 to 30 meters. All dives, up to 4 per day, for a total of about 24, are carried out by tenders. Dive nights are not possible at the moment. The water temperature varies from 22 to 27 degrees, with thermoclines.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO AND DIVE COCOS ISLAND
Liveaboard diving destination for scuba divers eager for hammerhead sharks
Cocos is an uninhabited island located in the eastern Pacific, 340 miles southwest of Costa Rica, surrounded by deep waters and lapped by strong currents. Its extremely humid and changeable climate and the oceanic character of the island make travel and dive challenging. Cocos is a destination for experienced divers. The only way to dive in Cocos Island is by cruise with one of the few liveaboards operating in the region.
The journey from Puntarenas, departure port on the west coast of Costa Rica takes 32-36 hours, sea conditions can be difficult during the crossing. The scheduled cruises generally last 10 nights, the diving days are 7, the rest of the time is spent on the round trip.
Understanding Cocos diving season
The best time to visit Cocos is from June to November with August being the best month ever. In these months the waters are very rich in nutrients that attract large schools of hammerhead sharks, the main attraction of the island. Unfortunately the period coincides with the rainy season. Precisely due to the suspension caused by the plankton, the visibility in this period drops to 15 meters. On the surface, rains and winds can cause rough seas and difficult conditions on board. From December to May it rains less, although the climate in this area is very unstable, visibility is better and navigation is less difficult, but the number of pelagics decreases significantly.
Dive cruises in Cocos Island
Liveaboards operating diving cruises in Cocos:
Cocos Island Aggressor
The Cocos Island Aggressor is a 38m/124ft liveaboard, modern and comfortable yacht, that can accommodates 22 guests on 4 master staterooms on the upper deck and on 7 deluxe staterooms with side by side twin beds on the lower deck. All the accommodations feature a private bathroom and shower, individual climate control, and a monitor with a media player. The on board facilities count with charging stations, a spacious salon, large sun deck, chaise lounges, deck chairs, and stocked beverage cooler. The Cocos Island Aggressor has 10 knots cruising speed and 110-volt power on board and ample storage space for your diving equipment in your personal locker.
Okeanos Aggressor II
The Okeanos Aggressor II is a 35m/120ft yacht, cruises at 10 knots, has 110-volt power and can accommodates 22 guests on 8 deluxe staterooms on the lower deck with double bed lower + single bed bunk style, 1 master cabin on the main deck with a queen bed, and 2 suites on the upper deck of which one has two twin beds and the other a king bed. Each stateroom features a private bathroom and shower. The on board facilities count camera and charging station, a spacious salon, shaded cocktail area, sun deck with chaise lounges, deck chairs, bar, and grill. There is ample storage space for your diving equipment in your personal locker.
Sea Hunter Liveaboard
Sea Hunter was born to serve oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, it is 35m/115ft, stable and robust, with powerful engines, the ideal boat for navigation in the Pacific. Sea Hunter was converted into a luxury liveaboard diving yacht in 1994 and has capacity for 20 guests in 10 cabins. The Sea Hunter has features that photographers could ask for: individual gear lockers, private camera/strobe storage bins with 110 & 220 ac power, dual camera rinse tanks, and even a drone takeoff/landing pad.
Argo Liveaboard
Argo was set up with the experience gained by the owners on the Sea Hunter, forming a good mix between a work boat and a luxury yacht. Robust and with excellent seaworthiness, it is 29m/130ft long and has 9 cabins for 18 guests. Argo features an air-conditioned lounge where meals are taken, a large deck for diving and leisure, a dedicated camera room for photographers and cinematographers with individual gear lockers, private camera/strobe storage bins with 110 & 220 ac power, dual camera rinsing tanks, and even a drone takeoff/landing pad. It’s no surprise she has long been the preferred vessel for National Geographic’s Pristine Seas expeditions. Argo also has a submarine for exploration at great depth. Sea Hunter and Argo are equipped with hydraulic stabilizers, which allow to reduce the roll when they are stopped at anchor in Cocos, making life on board more comfortable.
