Cocos Pelagic Expedition 2027
Shark Encounters
Pelagic Encounters
Photo Group Trip
Why Join This Trip
One of the best big animal dive destinations
See whale sharks, schooling hammerheads, mantas, turtles, and much more
Modern, spacious & photographer-friendly liveaboard
25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure
Trip overview
Escape to Cocos Island on a liveaboard scuba diving trip in Costa Rica! Cocos is a lush, green, uninhabited island resting 342 miles off Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Rocky pinnacles surrounding Cocos are beacons for big animals and big action. Schooling hammerheads, countless white-tip sharks, mantas, tuna, and even whale sharks call Cocos home. This ten-day trip offers seven days of Costa Rica liveaboard scuba diving.
To get a little insight as to what the trip is like, read the reports from our previous trips: 2015 trip and 2016 trip.
Check out this amazing video from Aggressor Adventures!
Dive Overview
You'll be diving in water temperatures between 72-82F with cool thermoclines.
- 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 - 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.
Sample Itinerary
- Day 1: Transfer from host hotel to Puntarenas for boarding and departure for Cocos Island
- Day 2 - 3: Transit to Cocos, arrival at Cocos Island, diving begins
- Day 4 - 8: Diving around Cocos Island
- Day 9 -10: Transit to Puntarenas
- Day 11: Check out at 7 am and transfer to the San Jose Airport (SJO) or host hotel
Diving Conditions
Diving conditions in Cocos Island in July are well suited for big-animal encounters, with nutrient-rich water attracting hammerheads, manta rays and other pelagic species. Visibility can vary, and currents and thermoclines are common, bringing cooler layers during deeper drift. Topside July weather is generally warm with increased cloud cover and periods of rain.
- Water temperature: 77 - 82F (25 - 28C)
- Visibility: variable, typically 30 - 80 feet (10 - 25m)
- Depth range: 30 - 130 feet (10 - 40m)
Recommended Scuba Gear
Download our full scuba gear guide to Cocos, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).
Trip Inclusions
Accommodations aboard the yacht
5 days of diving up to 4 dives per day
All meals and snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, local beer and wine
Compressed air tanks, weights & belts
Round-trip transfers (pick-up from the host hotel, drop-off to the host hotel/airport)
Trip Exclusions
Airfare (international and domestic)
Equipment rentals
Nitrox (unlimited Nitrox is $150 for 10 nights)
Certification or specialty courses
Hotel stays/day rooms
Dinner on the final evening
Crew gratuity
USD $490 Park Fee
$30 Emergency Evacuation Plan
All onboard sales/services have a 13% tax
Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan
*All onboard sales/services are subject to change and to a 13% tax
Accommodation
About the Cocos Island Aggressor
A brand new custom-built dive yacht, the Cocos Island Aggressor is built and powered for comfort, safety, and stability. The Cocos Island Aggressor is the perfect vessel for exploring Cocos Islands.
The Cocos Island Aggressor can comfortably accommodate up to 22 passengers in a total of 10 cabins. Guests can choose between the Deluxe Stateroom, equipped with twosingle beds and portholes, or the Master Staterooms, with two twin beds or a queen bed, and a large picture window. All rooms come complete with air conditioning, private bathrooms and showers, and a monitor with a media plater.
Master Stateroom (L) & Deluxe Stateroom (R)
Spacious Salon (L) & Dining Area (R)
Trip Price
Trip starts from $6,999 per person.
Cocos Island Aggressor Deluxe Cabin (Lower Deck)
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Shower
TV
Double-occupancy
$6,999
per person
Cocos Island Aggressor Master Cabin (Upper Deck)
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Shower
TV
Double-occupancy
$7,349
per person
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $1,000 tobook your spot
- Payment 2: $2,000 due 15 August 2026
- Payment 3: $2,000 due 15 December 2026
- Balance: due 15 March 2027
Extend your trip
Costa Rica Trip Extensions
Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! See more of the South America before or after your trip with Bluewater. Flying all that way merits a multi-destination vacation! Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your reservation:
Trip Leader
Mark Strickland
Mark Strickland’s life-long interest in the sea has included over 10,000 dives and careers as an ocean lifeguard, boat captain, and scuba instructor. His passion for underwater photography has led him to many top dive locales, including the Virgin Islands, Australia, and Thailand, where he spent 17 years as Cruise Director on a series of liveaboards. Mark now resides in Ventura County, California.
An avid marine naturalist, Mark has discovered several nudibranch species. He is co-author and principal photographer for Lonely Planet’s award-winning book, “Diving and Snorkeling Thailand”, and his work appears in many magazines, books, and displays around the world. Mark's editorial credits include Action Asia, Alert Diver, BBC Wildlife, National Geographic World, Natural History, and most major dive publications.
Check availability
and start planning your perfect trip
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