Costa Rica, Cocos Island

Cocos – Island of Sharks 🇨🇷

10 nights rough Pacific diving

Travel details

Available spaces

1 spot(s)

Trip duration

10 nights

Travel dates

02 September, 2028 - 12 September, 2028

Price per person

6.999 $ per person

Trip Highlights

Shark Heaven 🦈 If you say Cocos, you say sharks. And tons of them: whale sharks cruising by, white tip reef sharks, tiger sharks and of course... the schools of hundreds of hammerheads hanging in the cold current. If you are a shark lover, Cocos is a must do.

Thousands of Fish 🌊 Cocos is globally recognised for it shark diversity, but just as spectacular are the huge schools of fish hanging in the blazing current. Schools of jacks, barracuda, trevally and so many more are crowding divesites all around the island.

Top 5 🏆 The world's best divespots are often up for discussion, but there are some places that transcend personal opinions and are unanimously seen as the diving community as 'world class'. Cocos Island is definitely under that bracket.

Trip description

Cocos Island is regarded as one of the world’s premier destinations for big-animal diving. Steep seamounts, volcanic formations, and nutrient-rich currents create ideal conditions for large pelagic aggregations. The area is particularly famous for vast schools of hammerhead sharks, frequent encounters with tiger and Galápagos sharks, as well as manta rays, tuna, and seasonal whale sharks.

Diving conditions are demanding and clearly aimed at experienced divers. Strong currents, depth, and variable visibility require solid dive skills, good buoyancy control, and situational awareness. All dives are strictly regulated and conducted only with licensed operators in accordance with national park regulations.

Beyond diving, the island’s untouched nature defines the experience. Dense rainforest, waterfalls, and complete isolation emphasize the expedition-style character of a trip to Cocos Island. The destination represents uncompromising conservation and is considered one of the most impressive and exclusive dive destinations worldwide.

Cocos Island Aggressor

Nights

Price per person

6.999 $

DATE START

02 September 2028

DATE END

12 September 2028

Cocos Island is one of the world’s iconic big-animal dive destinations. Located roughly 550 km off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, this UNESCO-protected marine park is only accessible by liveaboard. Steep seamounts, volcanic topography, and nutrient-rich currents create conditions that attract massive schools of hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, Galápagos sharks, manta rays, and seasonal whale sharks — encounters best suited to experienced divers.

The Cocos Island Aggressor is a 38 m / 124 ft liveaboard accommodating up to 22 guests in 11 cabins: 4 master staterooms on the upper deck and 7 deluxe cabins on the lower deck, all with private bathrooms, climate control, and media monitors. The vessel typically operates with a crew of around 9, managing dive logistics, safety and onboard service.
Standard itineraries focus on the classic reef and channel sites around the island, combining current-swept corner and channel dives with calmer reef and lagoon dives. Highlights include large hammerhead aggregations, manta ray passages, schools of tuna, and occasional whale shark sightings — depending on season and ocean conditions.

Onboard comfort includes a spacious salon, sun deck with loungers, personal dive gear lockers, and a functional dive deck. Meals, snacks, and beverages are generally included, with Nitrox available at extra cost.
Guest reviews of the boat and crew are varied: many divers highlight the outstanding pelagic encounters and relaxed liveaboard atmosphere, while some note specific critiques about guiding, dive pacing, and service details — reflecting the high expectations that come with expedition-style diving in one of the ocean’s most demanding environments.

Included

10 nights stateroom air-conditioned private bathrooms
Full board with freshly prepared meals and snacks
buffet service during crossings and seated dinners while at anchor
Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are provided onboard
Cabins are equipped with hairdryers, regular linen changes, and fresh towels as needed
Filled tanks, weights, and weight belts

Not Included

Cocos Island Marine Park fee (10-night-cruises $490 pp plus 13% Tax)
Cocos Island Emergency Evacuation Plan: $30
Gratuities
Nitrox (10-night cruises $150 pp plus 13% Tax)
Upgrade to Master cabins $ 350 per person

Day-by-day program

– This is a sample itinerary, route may vary based on ocean and weather conditions – Our trip will start with a pick-up in San José at 11:00 a.m. at the Grano de Oro Hotel, San José. After arrival in Puntarenas boarding the vessel and departing towards Cocos Island at around 2:00 p.m.

A full day at sea on the crossing to Cocos Island (around 36 hours in total). Time to rest, prepare cameras, check your equipment and enjoy the open ocean, seabirds and the occasional dolphins from the deck. The guides give a detailed dive briefing covering conditions and currents at the Cocos Marine Park.

Arrival at Cocos Island during the morning. After clearing in with the park rangers, the dive programme begins, usually with a relaxed check dive to fine-tune weighting and equipment (for example at Manuelita). Cocos is a demanding current environment – dive sites are selected daily by the guides according to conditions.

A full diving day with typically 3-4 dives. The legendary sites around Cocos – among them Bajo Alcyone, Dirty Rock, Punta Maria, Submerged Rock and Dos Amigos – offer the chance of schooling hammerheads, whitetip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, marble rays and mobulas. Encounters are never guaranteed and depend on current, season and weather.

Another full diving day in the Cocos Marine Park. The strong currents draw in big pelagics – Cocos ranks among the world’s finest destinations for encounters with large schools of hammerheads. Dives at cleaning stations, where hammerheads linger for longer periods, are among the highlights. Site selection is made by the guides depending on weather and current.

A full diving day with 3-4 dives. Alongside the sharks, Cocos frequently offers encounters with eagle rays, moray eels and large schools of jacks and snappers as well as – possible seasonally, but not guaranteed – whale sharks and tiger sharks. Optional dusk dive with hunting whitetip reef sharks at Manuelita, conditions and schedule permitting.

A full diving day at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cocos. The island itself – densely forested and laced with waterfalls – forms a spectacular backdrop. Depending on weather and permits, a short landing or panga excursion along the coast may be possible. The focus remains on diving the current-swept pinnacles around the island.

As the onboard routine settles in, the entry points become more familiar and reading the currents gets easier. The guides choose the sites to give the group the best chances of big fish. Cocos rewards patience and calm behaviour in the water.

Final diving day at Cocos Island, usually with morning dives. In the afternoon the equipment is rinsed and stowed, and the ship sets course back to the mainland. Important: at least 24 hours must pass between the last dive and any flight – the return crossing provides this interval.

A full day at sea on the return crossing to Puntarenas. Time to rest, fill in logbooks, review photos and videos and enjoy the farewell evening aboard. The crew gives instructions for disembarkation the following day.

Arrival at the port of Puntarenas in the early morning. After breakfast, disembarkation and transfer back to the Grano de Oro Hotel in San Jose or directly to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) – depending on your onward travel. Please note: flights no earlier than 24 hours after the last dive. Thank you for joining us on this unforgetable dive trip ♥

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We offer individual tailor-made dive travel and organised group travel to the finest dive spots in the world.