Undersea Hunter – Cocos Island
Travel period
Features
Starting at
Diving around Cocos Island
Undersea Hunter welcomes you to the realm of large pelagic fish, where the ocean is bursting with life. Underwater live as many as 12 species of sharks, several species of rays and sea turtles, and jacks big enough to block out the sun.
Cocos Island, a Costa Rican national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains one of the most exclusive and remote diving destinations on earth.
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.
Video from Behind the Mask, shot on the Argo, sister ship of the Undersea Hunter.
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 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. KLM flies direct to San Jose on some days.
There is always an overnight stay prior to the liveaboard trip in San Jose.
Day 2 & 3 - From Puntarenas to Cocos Island
Today you will be picked up at your hotel 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 32-36 hours. Guests can use this time to organize diving and camera equipment and to relax and enjoy the sun. Watch videos or chat with our crew to be even better prepared for diving. You can also take this time to take one of our diving courses, such as nitrox certification.
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 22 dives. Usually 3 dives a day from about 18 to 30 meters deep. 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.
Optional excursion: DeepSee Submarine
Undersea Hunter offers a unique opportunity to see what it’s like 450 meters down in the ocean. During most of Undersea Hunter’s liveaboard, this submarine is present. With 1 pilot and 2 passengers on board, you will sink into the deep waters north of Cocos Island in the area called ” The Canyons.” 2x a day the submarine can be deployed so availability is limited. In a capsule with a 360-degree view is the ultimate experience. The prickly shark could well be seen swimming normally at depths of 185 to 380 meters. The Deepsea submersible can be booked in addition. Ask EWDR for availability.
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
Undersea Hunter
The ship Sea Hunter has 10two-personcabins with private shower and toilet. Furthermore, the ship has a study area with comfortable chairs, a library, TV, VCR, DVD, computer and options for editing photos and videos right away. The cozy dining room has 4-person tables. Usually the chef provides a variation between American and Costa Rican dishes. The lounge is comfortably furnished and is the place to relax and meet fellow divers. A diverse range of entertainment. The refrigerator there is constantly stocked with soft drinks and beer. The 20 camera lockers are available to each with 110 and 220 volts. The dive deck has its own large storage area for each diver.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is €5825 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 €5825 p.p.
- 10 Nights in a double cabin
- Accommodation on full board basis
- Return transfers San José - Puntarenas
- Dive package consisting of approximately 22 dives
- SGR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Outbound and return Flight to Malé
- Overnight on day 1 in San Jose
- Hotel transfer Airport - San Jose (day 1)
- Marine Park Fee (on site)
- Fuel surcharge (on site)
- Emergency Evacuation Plan (on site).
- from €800,- p.p.
- approx. €60, - p.p.
- approx $35.00 p.p.
- $554.00 p.p.
- $200.00 p.p.
- $30.00 p.p.
Optional
- Nitrox
- $150.00 p.p.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
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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