Sea Hunter

The uninhabited Cocos Island lies in the eastern Pacific, around 340 miles south west of Costa Rica. A rugged, yet green and verdant island that is a National Park and was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. It’s only a small dot of land in the vast Pacific, measuring roughly five miles by two miles, but a beacon for larger ocean creatures and therefore for divers.

The island itself was formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago and consists of four mountain peaks, the highest of which is Cerro Iglesias, at 690m above sea level. This island is covered in thick forest and only the National Park Rangers are allowed to reside there. The island is surrounded by deep waters populated by Whale Sharks, Schooling Hammerhead Sharks, White-tip Sharks, Tuna, Manta Rays & three species of Turtle. Dolphins are often seen and the odd whale if you are lucky.

Diving

Due to the amount and diversity of marine life in its waters Cocos Island was named one of the best 10 scuba diving spots in the world by PADI and should be on any serious divers ‘To Do’ list.

The only way to visit the island for diving is by liveaboards, which operate year round. The driest time of the year is January to March and the seas are generally calmer from December to May, with better visibility. The rainier time from June to November has a greater amount of plankton in the water, attracting more pelagic species and as expected the visibility is not as good.

There are only two bays with safe anchorages and sandy beaches: Chatham is located on the northeast side and Wafer Bay is on the northwest. Nearby there are a series of smaller basaltic rocks and islets. The water temperature varies between 22–28°C with cooler thermoclines, and on land the island is humid and tropical with an average annual temperature of 26. 6°C.

Seasons

Cocos diving is divided into two major seasons: the dry season (November/December to April/May) and the rainy season (May/June to November). The following will give you a general idea of what the seasons are like, but of course it is impossible to predict what you will see on any given trip, or indeed any given dive. That is part of what makes Cocos Island so special.

The dry season is normally blessed with calm, sunny weather, with water temperatures in the 26–28°C range, and with visibility ranging from 18 to 30 metres, and active reproduction behaviour observed. Large schools of fish are frequently seen at various distances from the rocks. Hammerhead sharks, individuals and in schools, are commonly spotted in the open water. Newborn marble rays and whitetip sharks are abundant during this time. During this period divers can usually dive at most dive sites around the island.

During the rainy season, the prevailing south wind limits the number of days for comfortable diving at the east and southwest sides of the island. The calm water of the northeast lee side of the island provides a safe haven for boats and the necessary protection for the marine life.

Water temperature is around 24–26°C, and the visibility averages 12–24 metres. During the months of July through October, hammerhead activity is at its peak; hundreds can usually be seen in very shallow waters, and at very close proximity to the rocks. Cleaning-stations are extremely active for long periods of time. Humpback whales, mothers and calves, usually visit the island every year between July and September.

Schooling whitetips in great numbers can be seen year-round, and there is a chance of seeing dolphins, marble rays, mantas, sailfish, whale sharks and other marine mammals throughout the year as well. The tiger shark is a year round resident at Cocos.

Considering that it is such a nutrient-rich environment, and since it is the only island for many miles around, Cocos acts as a magnet for the large pelagics that are always to be found there. Divers are likely to be impressed by the marine life in this area, no matter what time of year they visit.

It is important to remember that Cocos weather is classically unpredictable, and so it is hard to predict exactly what mixture of marine life you will get on any one trip at any time of year.

Diving experience

Whilst diving at Cocos Island is extraordinary & beautiful, the Cocos Island area is very remote and suited to experienced divers. To get the best possible experience, we strongly recommend that you are at least Advanced Certified with a Deep Diver speciality. Divers should have around 40–50 hours of experience to really enjoy this bucket list destination.

Currents and visibility can be entirely different in just a few hours. Hence, we recommend some previous open water experience & some experience diving with currents. Diving conditions can vary according to the season, with the dry season (December to May) having calmer diving conditions. Cocos is no more difficult than any other Pacific, Indian or Red Sea diving location.

Being Nitrox certified is strongly recommended.

For a map of Cocos Island please click here

Tailormade liveaboard & island combinations

We offer tailormade holidays to Cocos Island. This means that we can organise your holiday based on your requirements. Many guests enjoy a twin centre combination of a Cocos Island liveaboard and an island based holiday in Costa Rica exploring the amazing volcanoes and wonderful wildlife.

Flight info

Cocos Island is accessed through Costa Rica and flights into the capital, San Jose, are recommended. British Airways operator direct flights into San Jose, with additional indirect routes also available. The flight time is around 11 hours.

An overnight stay is required, as a minimum, on arrival before your liveaboard.

Evidence of onward travel: Entry to Costa Rica may be refused if you are unable to produce evidence of return or onward travel (for example a return air ticket).

A departure tax is payable when leaving the country by air. Some airlines have started to include this in ticket prices.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.