Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Jun–Nov · Strong current · 20–28°C (coldest Aug, warmest Jan)
- Current
- Strong
- Water temperature
- 20–28°C (coldest Aug, warmest Jan)
- Visibility
- 12–30m: Commonly 12 to 30m.
- Experience
- Advanced in practice.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | occasional |
| July | peak season |
| August | peak season |
| September | peak season |
| October | occasional |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Encountered in the rainy season, June to November, with the best odds roughly July to September over the same seamounts.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | peak season |
| September | peak season |
| October | peak season |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
The marquee species.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Large schools of jacks and trevally are a consistent feature around the seamounts and arches year-round, often massing thick enough to shade the reef.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Seen year-round at cleaning stations and seamounts such as Dirty Rock and Punta Maria, with large individuals reported around 3 to 3.
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
Bajo Alcyone
Named after Cousteau's Alcyone; divers drop to a plateau around 25 to 30m and hold on to watch hammerhead schools pass over the seamount.
25–40m · Strong current
Dirty Rock
A cluster of volcanic rocks with sheltered channels; among the more forgiving Cocos sites while still delivering big hammerhead numbers.
12–30m · Moderate current
Dos Amigos Grande
One of a pair of islets west of Cocos; the arch is big enough for a whole group to swim through, often ringed with schooling fish.
15–40m · Strong current
See all 8 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsDemanding. Fly to SJO. Typical trip $$$.
Route overview
Demanding
Liveaboard only, with a 36h open-ocean crossing to reach the diving.
Airport options
SJO
Juan Santamaría International Airport (San José)
International arrival point; from San José it is a road transfer of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to the port of Puntarenas, where Cocos liveaboards board. Puntarenas is a seaport with no airport of its own.
Typical trip cost
$$$
over $4,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- Exact fee figures vary between operators and years; confirm at booking.
Permit or park fee
What you pay
SINAC park and diving fee of roughly $70+ per diver per day (reported figures vary by operator and year
one operator cited about $554 for seven diving days). Usually not included in the headline liveaboard price. Confirm the current amount at booking.
How it works
Cocos Island is a national park and marine conservation area managed by SINAC; all diving is via licensed liveaboard operators, and a park/diving fee is levied per diver per day.