Location: It is located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 550 km (340 mi) from the Pacific shore of Costa Rica.
Area: 23.85 km2 (9.2mi2), about 8x3 km (5x1.9mi) and a perimeter of around 23.3km
Marine profil: coral reef, volcanic tunnels, caves, deep water.
Land fauna: 400 species of insects, 50 species of Anthropods, 2 species of lizards, 90 bird species, 5 land mammals species.
Marine fauna: 300 species of fish like yellowfin tuna, giant mantas, sailfish and sharks (scalloped hammerhead shark, Galapagos shark, whitetip reef shark, whale shark, silvertip, tiger shark), marine mammals like humpback whales, pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins and sea lions. Reptils lke hawksbill turtle, green turtle and olive ridley turtles.
Hundreds of scalloped Hammerhead sharks and the best night dive site on the world at the island munuelita are only some of the highlights this island has to offer.
Cocos island is very famous among the divers community but also to the general public thanks to movies like Jurassic Park. This unhabitad Nationalpark was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. In 2002, the World Heritage Site designation was extended to include an expanded marine zone of 1,997 km². In addition, it is included in the list of "Wetlands of International Importance".
Cocos Island was short-listed as a candidate to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation. As of June 2009 it is ranking second in the islands category.
Thanks to the breathtaking marine life in its waters, Cocos Island was named one of the best 10 scuba diving spots in the world by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and a "must do" according to diving experts. For many, the main attractions are the large pelagic species, which are very abundant in this unique meeting point between deep and shallow waters. The largest schools of hammerhead sharks in the World are consistently reported there.Smaller and colorful species area also abundant in one of the most extensive and rich reefs of the south eastern Pacific.
DIVING IN COCOS
Cocos is not a destination for the novice diver. The position in open ocean make the island exposed to changing and sometimes strong currents, upwelling and termoclines. The island has around 20 dive sites all in a compact location, from shallow but steep vertical walls, drift diving, to deep pinnacles down to over 40m, and blue water diving. All sites are close to the island and one another, making Cocos Island an ideal liveaboard diver's playground.
COCOS DIVING SEASON
Cocos is a tropical island with a warm and humide climate, aire temperatures vary between 22 and 33 degree Celsius and water temperature 74 and 87°F (23-30°C).
The Cocos Island dry season is from January to May (generally quiter sea and better visibility up to 35m), and the wet season is from June to December (rougher climate, visibility 10 – 25m), wich brings more plankton to the island and possibilities for Manta and Waleshark watching are increased. Neverthless diving in Cocos is a whole-year activity.
Beautiful blue skies and heavy rain falls are possible throughout the year.
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COSTA RICA AND COCOS
A Central American country, bordered to the north with Nicaragua and Panama to the southwest. The official language is Spanish and the country has 4,301,712 (2011) inhabitants and 51,000 km2 extension. Costa Rica lies between the Caribbean Sea in the east and west to the Pacific. The official currency is the Costa Rican Colon.
SAFETY
Costa Rica is still quite a safe country to travel but nevertheless it is important to follow some general safety rules:
Do not wear jewellery or carry large amount of cash. Avoid street money-changers. And avoid stopping in poorly lit or low-populated areas to make telephone calls or seek directions.
Watch your belongings carefully at all times and in all places.
Be particularly careful of your belongings when staying in hostels and hotels. It is important that you lock valuable belongings, passport and travel documents in hotel safes where possible. You Should only leave your belongings in a safe for wich you retain control of the key. Keep the key on your person.
You should be vigilant when using buses. Theft of bags from overhead compartments inside buses is an increasing problem and efficiently carried out.
Be particularly watchful of your valuables at the beach and in popular tourist destinations.
Avoid leaving unattended drinks in bars and places of entertainment.
Only use official taxis.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Travellers holding a valid passport from the following countries do not require Visa for Costa Rica and can stay as visitors for up to three month.
Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Australia*, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark*, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, United States, Estonia, Finland, France*, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, México, Montenegro, Norway*, New Zealand*, Netherlands*, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Principality Of Monaco, San Marino, Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Africa, United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Irelandj, Czech Republic, Republic Of South Korea, Hellenic Republic (Greece), Romania, Vatican City, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Republic Of China (Taiwan), Trinidad And Tobago and Uruguay.
Passports should have a validity of more than six monts from the date of entry; if a longer stay is required the Costa Rican Embassy should be contacted for advice. Children under 18 may travel with a joint passport with their parents, legal guardians or travel companion., anyway we recommend to check with Costa Rican Embassy what are the current Entry and Visa requirements.
YELLOW FIEVER REQUIREMENT
All visitors to Costa Rica arriving from any of the following countries (Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, French Guyana, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia and Sudan) are now required to produce an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis documenting yellow fever vaccination before entry to Costa Rica will be granted. Certificates are valid 10 days after vaccination.
DIVING IN COCOS ISLAND WITH LIVEABOARDS ARGO AND SEA HUNTER
The ARGO and SEAHUNTER are operated by Undersea Hunter Group. ARGO is 130 feet and SEAHUNTER 115 feet of live-aboard comfort and convenience. Specialties of this adventure are excellence in service, food and non-stop underwater excitement.
Both vessels offer ten two twelve-day adventures to Cocos Island, 300 miles offshore of Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Due to flight schedules in and out of San Jose, the capital city, an overnight stay is recommended both before and after the cruise.
From San Jose, a tour bus will transport you to the coastal village of Puntarenas where the ARGO and SEA HUNTER are berthed. This scenic drive takes approximately two and one half hours and offers an excellent opportunity to see the lush mountain countryside of the region.
ARGOS BOAT SPECIFICATIONS
Type: 2-engine Steel vessel.
Length/Beam/Draft: 129ft/ 26ft/ 12,5ft.
Engines: CAT D398TA; 634 kW (850 hp) 1225 rpm.
Cruising speed/maximum speed: 10 knots/11 knots.
Water tank: 11.000 gallons US.
Electronics: Navigation: 3 GPS, 2 Radars-48 mile, 2 recording fathometers Radio Direction Finder SIMRAD Auto pilot.
Communication: 2 VHF radios 3 handheld VHF radios SSB radio (SEA 222) Multy-system televisions, CD stereo and DVD Player, Multimedia Destop Computer Sarlit phone.
Facilities: Main salon including slide shows, DVDs, games, refrigerator with soft drinks, beer and ice. Sun deck and spaceous bow section.
Accomodation: For 16 guests in 8 double cabins, some of them may be used as triple cabins. All guest cabins have carpets, double or 2 single beds, table, chair, television, heads, showers and individual AC controls.
Food: Varied and delicious dishes, mix of American and local meals, lots of fresh fruites, salads, fresh fish, chicken and beef, available for free coffee, water, soft drinks and beer (2011).
Safety: Two 25 person life-rafts, DAN 02 emergency kits are present on all the skiffs as will as on the mothership, Safety Kit that includes an extra-large orange dive sausage, a powerful storm whistle and a special safety light. 20 EPIRB units for diver location.
DIVE OPERATION
Diver facilities are extremely well designed: private camera/strobe storage shelves with individual 110 volts AC power, individual gear storage, a private dryer for clients towels and bathing suits, etc.
Skiffs; two fiberglass cruisers of 24' and 22'. ARGO puts 8 or less divers in each chase boat.
Safety: Two 25 person life-rafts, DAN 02 emergency kits are present on all the skiffs as well as on the mothership, Safety Kit that includes an extra-large orange dive sausage, a powerful storm whistle and a special safety light. 20 EPIRB units for diver location .
DIVE OPERATION
Diver facilities are extremely well designed: private camera/strobe storage shelves with individual 110 volts AC power, individual gear storage, a private dryer for clients towels and bathing suits, etc.
Skiffs; two fiberglass cruisers of 24' and 22'. SEA HUNTER puts 9 or less divers in each chase boat.
This 115 ft Custom Expedition and Dive Liveaboard Charter Vessel has only a few trips to Cocos island every year as it is mainly diving in Malpelo island and Coiba. The expeditions start in Golfito Costa Rica and end in Golfito or in Puerto Mutis/Panama depending on the excursion schedule and if combined with diving in Coiba island in Panama. MV Yemaya offers an excellent diving experience in Cocos island with a professional crew, fully equipped diving skiffs, Nitrox service and a uncomparable international culinary experience provided by its cuban chef. You may choose between 3 different cabin types, master cabin, cabin with privat and with shared bathroom. For more details please download the pdf at the end of this section.
MV YEMAYA - BOAT SPECIFICATIONS
Type: 2-engine Steel vessel.
Length/Beam/Draft: 115ft/ 24ft/ 10ft.
Engines: Twin Diesel Detroit 16V71 HP: 1300.
Cruising speed/maximum speed: 10 knots/12 knots.
Water tank: 4.000 gallons, 2 x Watermakers 1 x 2000 Gallons and 1 x 1200 Gallons per hour.
Navigation: Radar with Chart Plotter FURUNO RDP149, Depth Sounder FURUNO FCV 582, Autopilot SIMRAD AP 50, Computer with Nautical Charts and Software TSUNAMI.
Communication: Iridium Phone ST4120 Sailor, VHF Radio ICOM ICM 59.
Facilities: Main salon including Flatscreen TV, DVDs, games, upper deck with sundeck, coolboxes with soft drinks, refrigerator with beer and ice, coffee, cold- and hot drinking water.
Accomodation: 8 State Rooms (2 Master cabins, 2 cabins with privat bathroom, 4 cabins with shared bathroom), 16 guests maximum.
DIVING
Rental gear: Regulators and BCD from Scubapro, Wetsuits various brands, Nitrox Dive computer, Dive lights, 3 x 15 liter Steel Tanks.
Safety: 1 x 25 Man Viking Life Raft, 1 x 18ft Zodiac Rib with Yamaya 1x70HP four stroke engine, 40 Life jackets, 2 EPIRBS, 20 USCG approved emergency signaling flares, 8 Life Rings with line, 3 Dual DAN Emergency O2 and First Aid Kits, 1 DAN Remo Kit, DAN Dual Emergency 02 and first aid kids and life jackets on each skiff.
DIVE OPERATION
The diving platform offers shelves for camera and video equipment, individual 110 Volt AC power and in the compressor room 220 V socket, individual metal boxes for diving equipment.
Washing machine and private dryer for clients towels and bathing suits, etc.
Skiffs; 2 x CaribPro Custom designed skiffs 25ft long with 9ft beam, capacity 10 divers each, tanks are directly refilled on the skiff.
Tanks: 36 tanks 80 cu.ft Aluminium Din and INT Valves, 3 x 100 cu.ft. Steel tanks INT Valves
Technical Diving: 4 Large Oxygen and Helium cylinders for partial pressure Gas blending for mixed Gas applications, Nitrox
ITINERARY
11 and 12 day diving trips to Cocos island, from/to Punta Arenas. Navigation time to Cocos 33 hours.
Okeanos is a 34 meter Steel Vessel for 22 divers. This comfortable and spacious Aggressor fleet Liveaboard was built in 1972 and 2011 renovated and offers 9 cabines and a quad cabin. Liveaboard trips take between 8 and 10 days with 5 to 7 diving days. Diving in Cocos includes 3 to 4 dives daily.The boat leaves and arrives from/to Puntarenas on the Costa Rica Pacific coast. The cruise to the island takes approx 32 hours on the way back to Costa Rica between 28 and 32 hours.
Water tank: 4.000 gallons, watermaker 1.600 Gallons per day.
Navigation: GPS, Radars-48 mile, Depth finder with Compass, Autopilot with Compass.
Communication: SSB Mariner radio with AT&T Access.
The Okeanos Aggressor has a spacious salon, 40 feet of sun deck, chaise lounges, deck chairs, bar, grill, library and a complete photo center. The onboard video format is both NTSC and PAL. The Okeanos has a safe onboard to store valuables such as passports, cash, credit cards or anything else you would like to store. Email is available onboard through the satellite system. There is a charge for incoming and outgoing email. Private calls may be made from the yacht. There is a cell tower in Wafer Bay with international reception while anchored during the charter.
Accomodation: The ship has 9 comfortable deluxe cabins with a queen size bed and a above a narrow single bed (bunk beds). All are equipped with private bathroom with warm water freshwater showers old), hair dryer, TV / VCR and window. The tenth/cuad cabin is a four pax cabin with 2 queen size beds, two single beds and a private bathroom with shower, TC / VCR, and window.
Food: The menu on board is varied and plentiful, with a variety of American feasts, barbecues and local cuisine. You will wake up to fresh fruits, hot entrees, cereals and juices. Lunches are buffet-style, featuring hot soups, homemade breads, salads and sandwiches and/or entrees.
Dinners are chef prepared and served each evening and include salads, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken with a fresh homemade dessert. The Aggressor's selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, iced tea, coffee, and a limited selection of local beer and wine, which are complimentary.
DIVING
You can make 4 dives a day: 3 scheduled dinghy dives and an optional night dive. Night diving is offered three nights due to new regulations.
Rental gear: A full line of Aqua Lung rental gear is available aboard including regulators, BCs, dive computers and night-lights, foto equipment.
Safety: EPIRB emergency position system, fire extinguers, first aid kits, DAN O2 systems, defibrillator.
DIVE OPERATION
HThere is ample storage space for your diving equipment in your personal locker. The Okeanos Aggressor has a strobe charging station (110 and 220 V) and a large camera table available for your camera and video equipment. Guests should bring their own battery chargers.
Skiffs; two zodiacs of 22 feet in length. There is ample space for camera equipment.
Wind Dancer, part of the American group Dancer Fleet was built in 1990 operated previously as a dive liveaboard vessel in the Caribbean. Mid 2012 she was moved to Puntarenas in Costa Rica to offer diving trips in Cocos island. We offer mainly 10 nights trips with 7 diving days and a few 8 nights trips with 5 diving days. This 35 meter Vessel offers 11 cabins for max. 22 Divers.
Facilities: Spacious salon with library, TV/DVD and Entertainement deck, sun deck with chairs, partially covered, the entire inside area with air condition.
Accomodation: 1 two-person Master Stateroom, Main deck (Queen bed, larger size), 9 two person deluxe stateroom with either twin bed or.
Food: Mix of local, american and international dishes, lunch and dinner are served buffet style.
DIVING
Rental gear: Digital camera Rental.
Safety:
DIVE OPERATION
The large dive deck is equipped with a camera table and charging stations, freshwater showers and rinse tanks and offers plenty of space for your dive gear.
Skiffs; 2 Zodiacs hard bottom inflatables with outboard engine,each up to 11 Divers capacity.
Tanks: 80 cu ft tanks with K valves, bring your DIN adapters if nesesary.
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