Hundreds of Hammerhead Sharks, amazing marine life and blue open ocean, Cocos Island is a once in a lifetime diving destination that any shark lovers must dive.

Cocos Island is an island approx 550km off the coast of Costa Rica of tectonic and volcanic origin. Converging nutrient rich currents from the nearby deep water are what attract the large schools of pelagic life, namely the frequently sighted schools of Hammerhead Sharks and make the area a first class diving destination.

With so many excellent dive sites at Cocos divers are spoilt for choice and will not be disappointed with this destination. This really is a dedicated dive holiday which only experienced divers should undertake due to the conditions but it is one that any diver will remember for the rest of their lives.

Manta Ray, Credit

Marine Conservation

Cocos Island has been a Costa Rican National Park since 1978. It first became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, with the site being expanded in 2002 to cover a broader marine zone.

While isolated from the mainland, illegal poaching of tuna and sharks is becoming a growing threat. Unfortunately, due to the islands location, conservation efforts place large financial and bureaucratic demands on the Costa Rican government, and efforts have largely fallen short of what is required. Rumours of government corruption in relation to poaching also circulate around the Puntareanas region, creating further scepticism for successful state-run conservation.

However, in 2009 National Geographic led an expedition of scientists and international NGOs to the region to further investigate the region’s degradation. After discovering that this region has some of the highest populations of large ocean predators who were gravely threatened by international poaching, the expedition opened a discussion between numerous stakeholders. These talks ultimately led to the five-fold expansion of the protected area in 2011, creating the ‘Seamounts Marine Management Area’ which is larger than Yellowstone National Park.

Costa Rican Fundación Amigos de la Isla del Coco was among the delegates on the voyage and they continue to exert pressure on the local government for greater efforts today. The organization leads a multi-sector approach to conservation, which aims to halt illegal activity and educate the broader population about the islands.

Cocos Island, Credit

 Climate & Sea conditions

The island has a tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall alternates with sunshine throughout the year. Even so there are two seasons, the drier season runs from December to May and is when the seas are calmest and have the best visibility. June to November is the rainier season, which although has more rain, choppier seas and slightly less visibility, is actually the best time of the season to dive. This is due to the nutrient upwells that it causes which attract unbelievable large schools of hammerheads, other sharks and large rays.