If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime diving adventure, scuba diving in Cocos Island should be at the top of your list. This remote Costa Rican island is a world-class destination, home to massive schools of hammerhead sharks, elegant eagle rays, and enormous pelagic fish. Divers are drawn to its nutrient-rich waters, untouched reefs, and dramatic volcanic landscapes, making it one of the most thrilling underwater destinations on the planet.
Reaching this paradise requires some planning, but the journey is part of the experience. Most travelers start in Puntarenas on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, then take a liveaboard dive boat for the 35-hour cruise to the island. Along the way, you can prepare your equipment, socialize with fellow divers, and mentally prepare for the incredible encounters that await in one of the most isolated and pristine marine environments in the world.
Cocos Island is known for its incredible diversity and abundance of marine life. Hammerhead sharks are the main attraction, often seen in groups of hundreds, while whitetip reef sharks, tiger sharks, Galapagos sharks, and silky sharks are also frequent visitors. Large rays, including mobula, marble, and eagle rays, gather around cleaning stations, providing unforgettable underwater interactions for scuba divers.
The island’s isolation has preserved both terrestrial and underwater ecosystems. Dense rainforest covers the volcanic landscape, and the marine environment is largely untouched. Fish and sharks are largely unafraid of divers, allowing close encounters that make for spectacular photography and memorable dives.
The island has around 20 dive sites within a compact area, offering variety for experienced divers. From shallow walls and drift dives to deep pinnacles and open water, each site has its own unique features. This variety, combined with the proximity of sites to each other, allows liveaboard guests to experience multiple dives in diverse environments each day.
Scuba diving in Cocos Island can be done throughout the year, but understanding seasonal differences helps you get the most out of your experience. The island’s location near the Equator means the weather is generally warm, but ocean conditions and visibility vary significantly with the seasons.
Choosing when to go can affect not only what marine life you encounter but also how comfortable the journey is, especially during the long liveaboard cruise from Puntarenas. Being prepared for either calm seas or stronger currents ensures your trip is both enjoyable and memorable.
The 2 primary seasons are:
Dry Season (December–May)
Rainy Season (June–December)
Choosing the season depends on your priorities. If calm water and high visibility are important, dry season is ideal. For dramatic pelagic action and largest schools of hammerheads, rainy season provides the most spectacular encounters. Either way, proper preparation ensures a safe and unforgettable diving adventure.
Bajo Alcyone is unmatched for hammerhead shark encounters, making it one of the most iconic Cocos dive sites. Divers can descend to the top of the seamount and wedge into crevices, letting hundreds of hammerheads glide past in all directions. Mobula and manta rays are common, and cleaning stations attract silky and Galapagos sharks for close encounters.
Other highlights include octopi, soapfish, and large schools of jacks and yellowfin tuna. The offshore location and strong currents make this site ideal for experienced divers, but the rewards are unmatched.
Key features of Bajo Alcyone:
For divers prepared for currents and deeper dives, Bajo Alcyone offers one of the richest pelagic experiences on the planet. Every dive provides multiple opportunities for photography, video, and simply soaking in the life around you.
Dirty Rock consists of volcanic boulders and pinnacles separated by a calmer channel. The site provides a slightly more sheltered environment while still offering encounters with hammerheads, marbled rays, and large shoals of jacks and tuna.
Divers can explore the rocky formations, observe reef fish hiding in crevices, and ascend along walls to meet green and hawksbill turtles. Bottlenose dolphins often join divers during safety stops, adding to the dynamic energy of the site.
Key features of Dirty Rock:
Dirty Rock is a versatile site suitable for slightly less experienced divers while still providing thrilling encounters with big pelagics. The variety of life and dynamic movement of marine species makes it one of the most memorable dives at Cocos Island.
The Two Friends dive sites, Dos Amigos Grande and Pequeña, along with Manuelita Deep and Manuelita Garden, offer a mix of dramatic rock formations and diverse marine life. Dos Amigos Grande has a massive arch where hammerheads, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and snappers swim in harmony. Pequeña provides excellent visibility and close encounters with curious hammerheads.
Manuelita Deep and Garden include boulder formations, coral reefs, and vibrant reef fish. Night dives at Manuelita Inside reveal feeding whitetip sharks and active nocturnal species, adding a different dimension to your dive experience.
Key features of Dos Amigos and Manuelita:
Together, these sites provide a balance between pelagic action and reef exploration, offering divers an immersive and varied underwater adventure.
All scuba diving in Cocos Island requires a liveaboard trip from Puntarenas. The journey out takes about 35 hours, allowing divers time to settle in, organize gear, and enjoy the open ocean journey.
Costa Rica is accessible from North America and Europe, with flights landing in San José or Liberia. Transfers from San José to Puntarenas take roughly two hours, making it the most convenient starting point for liveaboard trips.
Key points for reaching Cocos Island:
Planning your route carefully ensures a smooth transition from international travel to your diving adventure, making the long journey part of the overall experience.
Planning a scuba diving holiday to Cocos Island is much easier when you work with professional guidance. At Dive The World, we specialize in arranging liveaboard trips from Puntarenas, helping you choose the best time to visit, the most exciting dive sites to explore, and how to prepare your equipment. We provide detailed advice about seasonal conditions, wetsuit selection, and how to maximize encounters with hammerheads, rays, and other pelagic species.
Beyond the logistics, we help you select liveaboard options that match your comfort and diving preferences. Our insight ensures you spend more time underwater and less time worrying about travel arrangements. We can also guide you on combining Cocos Island diving with other Costa Rican adventures, from exploring the reefs of Caño Island to enjoying the beaches, forests, and adventure activities on the mainland.
With our knowledge of the marine environment, dive sites, and local conditions, we make your Cocos Island trip accessible and stress-free. From pre-trip planning to in-depth dive site recommendations, we support you every step of the way so that together, we can create one of the most memorable scuba diving adventures of your life.
When we embark on a liveaboard trip to Cocos Island, comfort and convenience are key to making the most of our time on the water. Liveaboards are designed to support multiple dives each day while offering spaces to relax, socialize, and recharge. Cabins provide a private retreat after long dives, while saloons and dining areas offer room to enjoy meals, plan our dives, and share stories with fellow divers. Daily schedules are carefully arranged to maximize our underwater experiences while ensuring we have enough time for safety briefings and equipment preparation.
Many liveaboards also provide extraordinary options that go beyond traditional scuba diving. Some offer submersible dives that take us to depths beyond recreational limits. From the safety and comfort of a glass bubble, you can watch schools of hammerhead sharks, mobula rays, and other pelagics pass overhead, giving you a perspective of Cocos Island's marine life that few people ever experience.
Key features of liveaboard trips:
By combining luxury and adventure, liveaboards allow you to enjoy both the excitement of diving with pelagic species and the comfort of a floating home. Whether you are capturing photos of hammerheads, relaxing with new friends, or learning more about Cocos Island’s ecosystem, the liveaboard experience enhances every part of your journey, ensuring you return home with unforgettable memories.
Scuba diving in Cocos Island requires preparation and confidence in open-water conditions. Sites range from 33 to over 130 feet in depth, with currents that vary from moderate to strong. Using a surface marker buoy is recommended for safety.
Water temperatures generally range between 75-86°F (24-30°C), but thermoclines can cause sudden drops. A 5 mm wetsuit with hood, gloves, and boots ensures comfort throughout each dive.
Preparation checklist for divers:
Proper preparation ensures you can fully enjoy the rich marine life and challenging conditions without stress, making your scuba diving adventure safe and memorable.
Scuba diving in Cocos Island is an unparalleled adventure filled with hammerheads, rays, whale sharks, and vibrant reef life. The combination of remote location, untouched ecosystems, and world-class liveaboard support creates one of the most unforgettable diving experiences in the world.
With careful planning, preparation, and expert guidance, divers can make the most of this incredible destination. At Dive The World, we help you every step of the way. Get in touch with us today to plan your Cocos Island diving adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime.
