Coco Island
Why
Coco Island (Isle del Coco) is located in the Pacific Ocean, 500 km southwest of Costa
Rica. The island and the national park were declared as a World Heritage site in 1997
including the marine protected areas around the island that spread out over a staggering
1,997.9 square km, which is a unique and popular diving area.
Due to its geographical location and the fact that Coco Island is totally isolated, it is
considered to be one of the best diving sites in the world. The island attracts marine
creatures and is a source for food and breeding ground that spreads across hundreds
of kilometers of ocean waters. This uniqueness gives us, the divers, a rare opportunity
to watch large manta rays, schools of hammerhead sharks, different species of sharks,
pelagic fish, large turtles and numerous other marine creatures.
Each trip to these waters promises amazing and rare surprises and diving
here is without a doubt one of the most exciting sites in the world!
The remoteness and isolation from civilization, just like the strict
conservation efforts of this unique ecological system, ranks the Coco
Island as one of the world's most sought-after diving sites.
When
Coco Island is situated approximately 5 degrees north of the equator, an area that is
characterized by a stable climate and comfortable conditions allowing recreation and
diving for most days of the year. Naturally, this unique island is always high in demand
and the places are limited, therefore it is recommended to book your trip a year in advance!
There is no peak season here, prices are the same all year round and diving cruises are
always fully booked. The months of December through to May are considered the dry
months and during the summer months, especially June to September, it is cloudy and
monsoons (tropical rains) are expected.
Water temperatures range from 24-27 C degrees and temperatures may change slightly
according to depth.
How
There are no flights to Coco Island the island can only be reached by boat. Diving in
these waters is only possible from Liveaboard that sail to this area with special licensing
they receive from the Costa Rica Government and the arrival to the island is only with a
cruise. After boarding, the cruise to the island will take 32-36 hours. The conditions are
usually comfortable but it is important to be prepared for any situation especially for those
who are extremely sensitive. Cruises are for 10 days, which include departing and returning
to the island - a total of 7 diving days. On arrival, there will be 3-4 dives per day and also 3
night dives during the cruise. There are usually 2-3 stops at the island itself during the cruise
in order to admire the breathtaking views.
כללי על היעד
אופי הצלילות
מה רואים
Bajo Alcyone
A 183 meter long underwater mountain, it's peak is 23 meters deep. The sides of the
mountain are covered with a beautiful reef, which is the home of many marine creatures.
This site is classed as a cleaning station for sharks, where you can observe schools of
hammerhead sharks, silky sharks and whale sharks, manta rays, octopus, rays, marlins,
tuna and more.
Level: Suitable for advanced divers only.
Depth: Maximum 30 meters.
Dos Amigos Grande
The site is named after 2 small islets located west of Coco Island. During this
amazing dive we will see a huge 12 meter arch, the peak is at a depth of 19 meters.
Here you can also find a large 18 meter high pinnacle. This is a favorite spot for
hammerheads, snappers, Jack fish and other species who like to swim among them.
During the dive, we will swim along the islet wall and explore the rich marine life.
Between the corals you can find lobsters, stingrays and more. This site is a cleaning
station for hammerhead sharks and other sharks.
Level:Suitable for advanced divers only.
Depth: Maximum 30 meters.
Dirty Rock
One of the most popular and beautiful dives on the island! A 100 meter channel
with an interesting topographical structure of rocks and large stones created by
volcanic activity. Hundreds of hammerhead sharks swim there together with
thousands of fish. This is classed a cleaning station, and during dives, divers are
surrounded by numerous marine creatures alongside electric stingrays, snappers,
reef sharks, turtles and sometimes even dolphins.
Level: Suitable for all divers.
Depth: 6- 30 meters.
Silverado
The site is named Silverado because this is the only known cleaning station for
Silvertip sharks. In addition to the amazing sharks here there are beautiful reef full
of corals and tiny marine creatures including Mantis shrimps, eels and the strange
Rosy-Lipped Batfish.
Level: Suitable for all divers.
Depth: 10-18 meters.
Punta Maria
This is an underwater mountain with a base that is buried deep in the sandy seabed and
the summit's peak is at a depth of 27 meters with 2 pinnacles protruding out at 19 and 23
meters. The summits have beautiful vertical walls. This site is a cleaning station for
hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, and assorted reef sharks. Here you can see eels,
octopus, electric stingrays, large schools of snappers, manta rays and more.
Level: Suitable for advanced divers only.
Depth: 10-18 meters.
Diving Sites in Manuelita A small island north of Coco Island in Chatham Bay.
Manuelita Inside- Coral Garden
A calm and shallow dive, and one of the most beautiful on the island. The site is
protected against strong currents and is home to a reef covered in hard corals with
a sandy surface. Here you can see an enormous amount of reef fish, lobsters, reef
sharks, whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks, moray eels, numerous electric stingrays,
turtles and more. This is a terrific site for night diving where you can see reef sharks
and whitetips that come to feed in this area.
Level:Suitable for all divers.
Depth: 6-20 meters.
Manuelita Outside
Diving in currents alongside an amazing vertical wall with huge rocks and cleaning
stations alongside. Here you can see hammerhead sharks, whitetip and blacktip reef
sharks, manta rays, electric stingrays, rays and more.
Level: Suitable for advanced divers only.
Depth: 5-30 meters.
Chatham Bay Waterfall
This is a shallow reef site with a waterfall. A cleaning station for hammerhead and
reef sharks, and rich in marine life. Lobsters, moray eels, sharks, stingrays and more.
This is also an amazing site for night dives.
Level: Suitable for all divers.
Depth: 5-10 meters.
International Time
GMT - minus 6 hours.
Entry Visa
Please check according to your nationality if you need a visa. for
this information please contact the nearest embassy in your country.
Additionally, please check for updates prior to your departure.
Vaccines
If you are arriving from South America or Africa you must present a
valid yellow fever vaccination. We recommend keeping updated with
your Ministry of Health website, regarding vaccines.
Personal Documents
A passport with at least 6 months validity.
Travel and diving insurance - can be purchased on this site.
A credit card is accepted in most places (but only on some of the
boats) saving the need to carry excess cash.
Diving certificate, valid diving insurance and a diving log.
Photocopy of your passport, diving certificates and travel insurance.
Make sure to keep it in a separate file from the original documents.
Diving Equipment
It is recommended to bring your own equipment with which you are accustomed
to using, especially a mask and a dive computer. Diving with a computer is essential.
Check your diving equipment prior to your departure. Rented scuba diving equipment
must be booked in advance. Payment for the equipment will be directly to the boat.
Bring a wetsuit that suits the destination and according to your personal level of
comfort, we recommend a 5 mm wetsuit.
Important items to bring along: An inflatable buoy to mark your location attached to
a roller and rope, anchor reef against strong currents, a whistle attached to your BCD
and simple gloves to grip the reef if necessary.
Photography
This is definitely a place to photograph and document! The Coco Island are one
of the most spectacular places in the world both above and under the water and
are classed as paradise for photographers! You do not have to be an expert
photographer in order to take superb photos to capture some amazing, unique and
unforgettable moments. Diving packages are available for most kinds of cameras,
for photography above and under water. Easy-to-use extreme cameras are also a
popular choice. You can rent underwater cameras and video cameras on the boat.
If you do not have a camera the cruise ship produces a video on every cruise that
includes scenes above and below the water. Guests may purchase a DVD for fixed price.
Clothing
It is unnecessary to pack a lot of clothing on a dive holiday in a tropical climate.
A light garment to wear in the day between dives is recommended and the dress
code on board is casual. One or two buttoned shirts for the evening can be useful.
We recommend in wearing comfortable warm clothes and socks for the flight.
There is no need to pack shoes and a sport sandal is usually all you will need.
Towels and bedding are provided by hotels and on the boats.
Medication and First Aid
Pre-equip yourself with enough personal medication, the chance of obtaining
specific drugs is impossible. Do not forget to stock up on seasickness pills if
necessary –highly recommended on this trip. Pack a high factor sunscreen to
protect you from prolonged exposure to tropical weather.
Flights
When you receive your flight ticket, please ensure that your name is spelled
exactly as in your passport! You must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before
departure. Whilst checking in, make sure that the label on your suitcase shows
the final destination of your trip. The number of bags and their weight should
comply with airline restrictions to avoid overweight charges.
Transportation, Arrival and Pick Up
You must arrive in San Jose at least one day before the cruise departs. From
San Jose International Airport, take a taxi or minibus to the hotel you have
chosen to spend the night. That evening, the ship's representative will contact
you to coordinate your exact time of arrival to the ship. Pick-ups are only from
a number of major hotels. The pickup time differs and is according to the tides.
The trip to the port in the village of Puntarenas takes between two and three hours
through enchanting landscapes of the local rainforests. During the trip there will
be a stop where you can have a light lunch. Upon returning from the cruise there
will be a transfer back to the same hotels as well as to the airport.
Communication
Anyone booking this destination must understand that the Coco Island are a
remote area, the best recommendation is to totally disconnect and concentrate
on the landscape and atmosphere.
Today there is a communications antenna on the island, and therefore all
communication packages purchased in Costa Rica will also work on the
island itself, usually in the docking areas and in the evening not during the
day. During the cruise to the island and back to the mainland, there are
expected communication disconnections. Ships are equipped with satellite
communications systems and families may communicate with the passengers
through the ship's offices for urgent messages only.
Weather
The Coco Island are located 5 degrees north of the equator, a region characterized
by a great stabile climate and optimal sea conditions, which allow recreation and
diving throughout the year. The months December to May are considered the dry
season whilst during the summer months clouds and monsoons are to be expected,
especially during June to September.
Sea Conditions
Most activity takes place in pleasant and calm seas, but sometimes seas are high due
to local winds especially during the cruise from the mainland to the island and back
and also during boat trips to the dive sites. Some of the sites have currents we will
use to dive in their direction or to stay in place with a reef hook. Use an inflatable
buoy to mark your position on the surface, until the dive boat arrives.
Visibility conditions under the water are good and range between 18-30 meters.
Keep at safe distance that allows eye contact with the group leader according to the
site's visibility. Water temperatures range form 24-27C degrees with moderate
changes according to depth.
Electrical Supply
110 V, we recommend to bring a universal adapter to avoid problems.
The sockets are American and European.
Money
The local currency is Colones. There is no need to exchange money to local
currency. Dollars and credit cards are accepted everywhere and prices are
always stated in US dollars. Credit cards are accepted on all cruise ships.
Local Taxes
The Costa Rican government charges entrance tax to Coco Island.
(all prices might change): $490 per diver for a 10-night trip. $350 per
diver for an 8-night trip. Non-divers pay $350 for a 10-night trip and $250 for 8 nights.
These taxes are used to maintain the park. There is also an additional $ 30 for
evacuation in the case of an accident. All these taxes are paid in cash at the ship.
When leaving Costa Rica there is a $ 29 departure tax to be paid in cash at the airport.
These figures may change according to the Costa Rican government without prior
notice as has already happened in the past.
Tips
Tips are commonly paid on cruises to Coco Island and are usually 10 percent of the
price of the cruise. However, we recommend $150 per person as prices are usually high.
Emergency Numbers and Decompression Chambers
The closest decompression chamber is located in Costa Rica's capital San Jose, 36 hours
away!! The implications in this case are quite clear. Take all necessary precautions.
One method is to dive with Nitrox using an air table and thus increase the safety factor.
If necessary, the ship will manage the evacuation.
