INCOMPARABLE COCOS
where sharks come to play
August 22 – September 1, 2023
Schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks … whopping big groups of them …. composed of hundreds of animals with an other-worldly appearance … swimming, swirling, hovering, shifting in unison like flock of birds in the sky… in short, putting on a spectacle you’ll never forget !
INTOXICATING DIVING
Thanks to its breathtaking marine environment, Cocos Island was named one of the ten best scuba diving spots in the world by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and a “must do” according to diving experts. Its waters are home to at least 27 endemic fish species including the exotic rosy-lipped batfish.
This destination represents a kind of myth for most divers. Everyone who has heard of Cocos wants to go there and everyone who has been there before wants to go back!
During this 10-night cruise, 7 days of diving are planned at Cocos Island … and you can expect to see everything you’ve dreamed of seeing at the Island of Sharks … schooling hammerheads, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, sand tiger sharks, white tip sharks … the list goes on.
But Cocos is much more than just swirling sharks. You’ll enjoy the lurking turtles and countless brightly colored fish … the eels & lobsters & octopus & frogfish … and other critters which are residents of the hard coral reefs.
The marble rays, manta rays & eagle rays are always thrilling to observe, their ballet-like grace enchanting to watch.
And who doesn’t love encountering a whale shark in the deep ? Plus, you get those awesome schools of pelagic fish and exciting bait balls which become lunch for the sharks.
The diving is challenging and not for the faint of heart … but if you’re an experienced diver who loves adventure diving, this destination is not to be missed. And, you’ll have an opportunity to access the island to explore the verdant beauty & impressive waterfalls … and perhaps run into a few feral pigs, remnants of long-abandoned settlements.
EXCLUSIVE CHARTER – CONTACT US WITH QUESTIONS OR TO BOOK
SEA HUNTER … THE GOLD STANDARD OF DIVE LIVEABOARDS
Sea Hunter was built as a dive support boat for the oil industry & has the power, strength & stability necessary for the long crossings to Cocos Island but she combines these qualities with a refined interior.
For many divers, Sea Hunter is the gold standard amongst liveaboards. She’s known for her great crew and fabulous dive guides who will take you to all the best dive sites, gearing their choices around the dictates of the weather and the currents. And when you’re not diving, you’ll find the services onboard equal the top-notch dive guiding, plus the food will never disappoint. Each suite on Sea Hunter has a distinctly themed room, with hand-painted artwork by Carlos Hiller.
Her 10 comfortable cabins provide all the comfort and amenities a discerning diver desires.
SEA HUNTER DETAILS
SAMPLE ITINERARY
An unforgettable 7 days of diving at Cocos Island aboard the inimitable MV Sea Hunter is in store for you … and, in peak season to boot !
{slider Your 10-night trip allows for maximum exposure to the marine animals of Cocos and to the island itself …. continue reading to discover a bit more about what to expect …|dest|closed}
10-NIGHT SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1-3
On boarding day, the Sea Hunter Group will pick you up from one of 2 or 3 specified hotels (we’ll advise you when you book) and will transport you to your liveaboard. After breakfast there will be a 2+-hour transfer to the harbor of Puntarenas. The trip departs that afternoon after all guests have checked in.
You can unpack, relax and meet your dive buddies during the 36-hour crossing.
Day 3-9
Generally, two dives are scheduled for the morning, 8 AM and 11 AM and another dive after lunch, around 2.30 PM. This schedule can vary depending on events, circumstances and opportunities that may present themselves.
After a short ride, each of the skiffs will reach a different dive site. Groups will alternate, allowing all divers to dive all sites.
On the way to or from the planned dive sites it is very common for the skiff drivers to make little detours to watch dolphins, mantas, whales, a promising bait-ball or to stop at the island for a refreshing hike to a waterfall or a visit to the Ranger Station.
Day 10-11
The return crossing gets you back to the harbor of Puntarenas and you’ll be ready to disembark after breakfast.
JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOP DIVE SITES
Alcyone: A 600-foot long submerged mountain, the top being roughly 75 feet below the surface. Schooling hammerheads, mantas and schooling fish, possible sailfish or marlin.
Big Dos Amigos: 45-foot-high arch and 60-foot pinnacle off the southeast side where you should see loads of hammerheads. Look for rainbow runners, yellowtail snapper, bigeye jacks and lobster.
Bird Island, Chatham Bay: A variety of marine life including frog fish, lobsters, morays, rays, white tip sharks, hammerheads and a cleaning station.
Dirty Rock: A large island with schools of marble rays and hammerheads.
Viking Rock: Get ready for hammers, white tips, eagle rays, turtles … and occasionally a lone tiger shark.
Lone Stone: Schooling marble rays and mobula rays.
Lobster Rock: Large numbers of white tips lolling around … plus, marble rays, manta rays, eagle rays, red lip batfish, frogfish, garden eels
Submerged Rock: In this impressive arched hole, you will find colorful scenery & unique photo opportunities plus a nursery for white tip sharks …. also black tips, mobula rays, hammerheads, marble rays
Manuelita: The northeast corner has a sheer wall and lots of white tips, marble rays and schools of Creoles.
Ubing Rock, Wafer Bay: This 300-foot rock begins at 20 feet and drops to a 110-foot sandy bottom. The southeast slope attracts schooling hammerheads.{/sliders}
DATES, RATES, GETTING THERE & AWAY, WHAT’S INCLUDED, WHAT’S EXTRA
This trip leaves from Puntarenas, Costa Rica …. a 2+-hour ride from San Jose. Costa Rica has two international airports. For optimum convenience, we recommend that you fly directly to San José rather than the more distant Liberia International Airport
{slider There are numerous flights direct to San Jose (SJO) in Costa Rica. We recommend arriving in San José Costa Rica at least 1 day before the cruise to get rested and to be sure your luggage arrives. Open to find additional trip details …|dest|closed}
DATES:
August 22 – September 1, 2023
RATE:
$ 6,325
ARRIVING & DEPARTING:
You may choose to stay at one of the recommended host hotels or at another hotel of your choice. Please note that pick-ups for transer to the boat are only from the host hotels chosen by Sea Hunter. We’ll give you current info at time of booking.
You will be met by a a Sea Hunter representative on the day of departure at a pre-set time for the group transfer to the shuttle for your 2+ hour ride to Puntarenas where the boat awaits. Boarding depends on the tide schedule.
Immediately after boarding the yacht departs for its crossing to Cocos Island. The crossing takes roughly 36 hours. After a full seven days of diving, the Sea Hunter returns back to the dock in Puntarenas and you will be taken back to San Jose.
If you’d like to add on a few days in Costa Rica’s outstanding rainforest parks, we’ll be happy to help you with that.
When departing, it is theoretically it is possible to fly out of San José the same day after around 3 p.m. however should you choose to add on a land tour in Costa Rica (highly recommended) we’d be happy to help you with the planning. Just let us know !
INCLUDED :
- 10 night cruise in a shared cabin
- 3 meals a day, drinks, coffee, local beer included
- afternoon snacks
- 7 days of diving
- weights, tanks, guides, skiff service
- free nitrox
- transfers from San José hotel to the boat and back
- tour leader from Behind the Mask Travel
EXTRAS :
- National Park Fee $ 554 per person
- flights from/to San José Juan Santamaria Int. Airport
- upper-deck cabin surcharge 650 $ per person
- overnight prior and after the cruise and additional land tours
- diving insurance & trip insurance
- crew tip (normally 10% if you’re satisfied with the service)
CONTACT US WITH QUESTIONS OR TO BOOK.
Please note: the National Park fees are subject to change.
Due to the possible increase in the cost of oil, based on events in the past few years, the Undersea Hunter Group reserves the right to charge a US$200.00 per person Fuel Surcharge. We will verify the fuel index table prior to the departure date and if it is necessary to collect a fuel surcharge then we will inform the participants of the trip {/sliders}
Important: We highly recommend Dive Assure insurance which also covers force majeure and single missed days of diving due to sickness. Feel free to ask us about it. Further extensions in Costa Rica are always possible we’re happy to assist!
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