Cocos Island Aggressor – Liveaboard Cocos Island
Travel period
Features
Starting at
Diving around Cocos Island
Diving around Cocos Island, Isla del Coco, located off the coast of Costa Rica, is an unforgettable experience. Cocos Island is known for large populations of hammerhead sharks. These magnificent creatures can be found in large numbers around the island, especially at the famous dive site known as “Dirty Rock.” This dive site is located on the north side of the island. Divers can expect dozens of hammerhead sharks, as well as other types of sharks, such as Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Cocos Island is also home to a wide variety of tropical fish, including parrotfish, moonfish and schooling snappers. The island is also a great place to see sea turtles, eagle rays and even the occasional humpback whale.
Cocos Island is an uninhabited island protected by the Costa Rican government. The best way to explore Cocos Island and the surrounding waters is to take a liveaboard diving trip. Cocos Island is about 550 km from the Costa Rican mainland.
These trips typically last 10 days and allow divers to explore the many different dive sites around the islands.
In short, diving in the Cocos Islands, Costa Rica, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed. The islands’ clear waters and diverse marine life make it a divers’ paradise.
Best travel time: The best time to dive at Cocos Island is from December to May. During this period, water temperatures are warmest and visibility is best. In addition, this is the dry season and the chances of nice weather and calm sea are greatest. This is also when the hammerhead sharks are most active.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Cocos Island
At least a 3mm wetsuit is smart, as the water temperature is around 26-29°C. For many divers, it’s a good idea to bring a 5mm wetsuit for extra warmth while diving.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 - The journey to Costa-Rica
Today you will fly to Costa-Rica. There are several options for flying from Europe to San Jose, Costa Rica. Some of the major airlines operating flights on this route include KLM and Delta Airlines. Flight times typically range from 11-15 hours, depending on the airline and the number of stopovers.
There is always an overnight stay prior to the liveaboard trip in San Jose. Since you will be picked up tomorrow by Aggressor at the Park Inn Radisson, we always check first to see if there is availability there.
Day 2 & 3 - From Puntarenas to Cocos Island
Today you will be picked up at the Park Inn Radisson in San Jose in the late morning/early afternoon. By private bus you will be taken to Puntarenas with the other divers. This ride takes about 1.5 hours.
From Puntarenas, the boat leaves for Cocos Island. The crossing takes about 36 hours. Along the way is a variety of entertainment, including (dive) movies, fish identification slide shows, games and more. If you have a favorite movie, digital slideshow or video to share, you can bring it with you. The staff loves new releases of movies, magazines and books.
At the end of Day 3, you will arrive at Cocos Island. It is too late to dive by then, and night diving is not allowed. But not to worry, after one more good night’s sleep, the diving fest begins.
Day 4 to 10 Diving around Cocos Island
Over the next 7 days you will make about 21 dives. So that means 3 dives a day. Diving takes place all around Cocos Island and there are many different dive sites. Here is a sampling of some of the most beautiful dive sites.
Alcyone: A 600′ long submerged mountain, the top of the mountain is 75′ from the surface. Schooling hammerhead sharks, manta rays and schools of fish. Possible sailfish or marlin.
Big Dos Amigos: This islet has a 14-meter-high arch and a 60-meter-high peak on the southeast side. Look for Rainbow Runners, Yellowtail Snapper, Bigeye Jacks and lobster. Hammerhead sharks swim between the top and the arch.
Bird Island, Chatham Bay: Pigeon off Chatham Bay, southeast of Manuelita, this site offers a variety of marine life, including frogfish, lobsters, moray eels, rays, whitetip sharks and hammerhead sharks. There is even a cleaning station.
Dirty Rock: A large island with schools of Marble Rays and Hammerhead Sharks.
Lone Stone: Schooling Marble Rays and Mobula Rays.
Manuelita: The northeast corner has a high wall. Lots of White Tips, Marble Rays and schools of Creoles.
Ubing Rock, Wafer Bay: This 300-foot rock starts at 20 feet and drops to a 110-foot sandy bottom. The southeastern slope attracts schools of hammerhead sharks.
Day 10 & 11 - Return to Puntarenas
After the last dives on Day 10, the boat begins the crossing back to Puntarenas. Here you will arrive on the night of day 11 to day 12. Tired, but satisfied, you can already start working on your photos, exchange contact information with other divers and perhaps write a trip report for publication on our website.
Day 12 - Arrival Puntarenas & return home
Early in the morning, around 7 a.m., you will leave the boat and be taken back to San Jose by van. Depending on the flight time, you can continue to the airport in 1x to fly home. Since the transfer takes about 1.5 hours, it is only possible to book a flight with departure from 12:30 in the afternoon. Early flights may not make it.
Book a tailor-made roundtrip following this diving vacation.
Would you like to stay longer in Costa-Rica and explore the country above water as well? Costa Rica is known for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests and diverse wildlife. Popular tourist attractions include Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Corcovado National Park, Rincon de la Vieja National Park and the Nicoya Peninsula. We can arrange a customized round trip.
The liveaboard
The stay
Cocos Island Aggressor
The Cocos Island Aggressor, a brand new custom-built dive yacht, made its maiden voyage on Jan. 14, 2023. This 124-foot yacht is designed and equipped with comfort, safety and stability as a priority. It runs on diesel, reaches a speed of 10 knots and has an onboard 110-volt power system. With comfortable accommodations for 22 guests, the yacht offers 4 master staterooms on the upper deck and 7 deluxe staterooms on the lower deck, each with two side-by-side twin beds. Each guest cabin features a private bathroom and shower, individual climate control and a monitor with media player.
In addition to its excellent accommodations, the Cocos Island Aggressor features a spacious salon, a large sun deck with chaise longues and lounge chairs, as well as a bar and grill. Your personal diving equipment can be safely stored in a separate locker with ample storage space. The yacht offers 80 cubic foot (11.1L) tanks, weight belts and weights. All tanks are equipped with K-valves (American type) and DIN valves (European type).
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Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is US$ 6.420 per person based on two people in one room. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from US$ 6.420 p.p.
- 10 nights in a Deluxe Cabin
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Return transfers San José - Puntarenas
- Dive package consisting of approximately 21 dives
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to San Jose, Costa Rica from US$ 842 p.p.
- Overnight Park Inn Radisson (day 1) approx. US$ 63 p.p.
- Hotel transfer Airport - San Jose (day 1) approx. US$ 32
- Marine Park Fee (on site) $554.
- Emergency Evacuation Plan (on site) $30.
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe.
However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide.
Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
$ On board you can pay by credit card (3% surcharge) or cash.
Optional
- Nitrox (on site) $150.
Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving general
Other activities & excursions
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This travel package is €1499 per person and can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package. Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates.
This travel package is €1499 per person and can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package. Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates.
This travel package is €1499 per person and can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package. Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates.
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