Cocos Island

The dive

Why dive Cocos Island

A UNESCO marine park 550 km offshore, Cocos is the definition of advanced big-animal diving: schooling hammerheads at Bajo Alcyone and apex predators in cool, surging water.

Marine life

Dive profile

When to go

Best time: Jun – Nov

June–November (green season) brings rougher crossings but the highest hammerhead, whale-shark and tiger-shark counts. Drier December–May trades action for comfort.

Readiness

Who it suits

Master-level site — suits experienced Rescue / Master divers. Typical requirements:

Not sure you're ready? Read our readiness guide or check yourself in the planner.

Logistics

Getting there & staying

Getting there	International flight + ~36 hr ocean crossing. Fly to San José (SJO). Cocos is liveaboard-only — a ~36 hour open-ocean crossing from Puntarenas.
Where to stay	Expedition liveaboard only. Liveaboard exclusively; trips run 10–11 days including the crossing each way.
Operator to look for	Master-rated expedition liveaboards only — deep, current-heavy, remote diving far from evacuation.

Sources

Further reading

• Cocos Island National Park UNESCO World Heritage Centre
• Cocos Island DAN · Alert Diver
• Hammerhead heaven: Cocos Island DIVE Magazine
• Reasons to take a liveaboard trip to Cocos Island TDI/SDI
• Cocos Island Wikipedia

Links checked 29 September 2026. They cover the site's location, protection status and background. Costs, difficulty and season windows are ScubaRogue's editorial estimates, so confirm them with your operator before you book. How we research