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THE BOAT
Wind Dancer is a
120-foot steel
mono hull vessel
that
accommodates 18
passengers.
She features 9
well appointed,
en-suite,
air-conditioned
staterooms and
has all the
standard perks
of the Dancer
Fleet® with
plenty of areas
to relax between
dives.
When not diving,
guests can
gather at the
wet bar on the
Lido Deck,
sunbathe or just
relax on the
covered and
uncovered sun
deck or cool off
in the
comfortable, air
conditioned
salon.
Wind Dancer
dives are made
from 2 dive
tenders, each
capable of
carrying 11
divers plus
crew. |
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AMENITIES
In-Room Morning
Coffee Service
Fresh Warm Towels
After Each Dive
Sit Down Dining
Service
Nightly Turn Down
Service
Mid-Week Linen
Change
24-Hour Safety Watch
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OVERVIEW
This
is a very unique
itinerary. The 300
mile voyage to a
natural wonder of
the world. Cocos is
the only island in
the tropical eastern
Pacific with a
tropical rainforest.
Its position as the
first point of
contact with the
northern equatorial
counter-current, and
the myriad
interactions between
the island and the
surrounding marine
ecosystem, make the
area an ideal
laboratory for the
study and
observation of life
both above and below
the surface.
The
unique Wind Dancer
itinerary covers the
Cocos Island
National Park.
Limited to a very
few divers at a
time, this coveted
drift diving
destination delivers
you to one of the
most concentrated
large animal marine
encounters in the
world. The
convergence of
multiple ocean
currents bring in
massive schools of
hammerheads, tuna,
jacks and more.
Passing dolphins,
whale sharks and
manta rays are
sighted as well as
an occasional
sailfish.
Truly an incredible
live-aboard journey
and a visual feast
above and below the
waters of this World
Heritage Site.
The marine diversity
also includes
turtles, octopus,
morays and creole
fish. Cocos Island
must be at the top
of every divers
‘Bucket List’. |
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DIVING
May through October
is generally
considered prime
diving, but
conditions are
generally very good
all year round.
The
rainy season is from
May through
November. Cocos
Island supports a
true tropical rain
forest and receives
an abundance of
rain, particularly
around the mountain
peaks. Overcast
skies and frequent
showers are common.
During the winter,
water temperature
ranges between 73
and 78F, while in
the summer it warms
up to 78 - 80F. A
wetsuit is highly
recommended. A 3mm
inch suit with hood
and booties is
generally sufficient
for most divers
except during the
rainy season we
recommend a 5mm
wetsuit with hood as thermoclines are
prevalent. Gloves
are recommended year
round for holding
onto rocks if
necessary.
THE DIVE SITES
Alcyone
A 600’ long
submerged mountain,
the top of the
mountain is 75’
from the surface.
Schooling
Hammerheads, Mantas
and schooling fish.
Possible Sailfish or
Marlin.
Big Dos
Amigos
This islet features
a 45-foot-high arch
and 60-foot pinnacle
off the southeast
side. Look for
Rainbow Runners,
Yellowtail Snapper,
Bigeye Jacks and
lobster. Hammerheads
swim between the
pinnacle and arch.
Bird Island,
Chatham Bay
Dove from Chatham
Bay, southeast of
Manuelita, this site
provides a variety
of marine life
including Frog Fish,
lobsters, morays,
rays, White Tip
Sharks and
Hammerheads. There
is even a cleaning
station.
Dirty Rock
A large island with
schools of Marble
Rays and
Hammerheads.
Lone Stone
Schooling Marble
Rays and Mobula
Rays.
Manuelita
The northeast corner
has a sheer wall.
Lots of White Tips,
Marble Rays and
schools of Creoles.
Special
Sightings
Whale Sharks, mating
Eagle Rays, Sail
Fish, mating White
Tip Sharks, False
Killer Whales.
Ubing Rock,
Wafer Bay
This 300’rock begins
at 20’and drops to a
110’sandy bottom.
The southeast slope
attracts schooling
Hammerheads. |
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HOW TO GET THERE
You have many
options for flying
into San Jose, Costa
Rice (Juan
Santamaria
International
Airport). You
can arrange your own
flights or we can
help you.
You should arrive
the day before your
charter begins. You
will then be picked
up at two designated
hotels the next day
for your transfer to
the yacht in
Puntarenas. |
