Dive Conditions
Visibility: 50 ft
Water Temp. 78°F
mild
strong
Weather
sunny
rainy
calm
choppy
Crossings
calm
choppy
calm
choppy
Sea Hunter
Our check dive in Chatham Bay was relaxed, highlighted by a large silvertip, while the group eased into the rhythm of Cocos. Manuelita Outside offered a beautiful giant manta and a calm hawksbill turtle, though the cleaning stations were quiet. At Manuelita Channel we began on the Coral Garden side due to reverse current and enjoyed several hammerheads along the sand.
On the second day of diving, conditions were calm but shark activity was modest, with roughly 40 hammerheads seen across our three dives. Punta María brought a lovely overhead school of hammerheads at the cleaning station and well-sized Galapagos sharks. Dirty Rock continued its reputation with a mix of hammerheads, a large Galapagos shark, and several fast-moving yellowfin tuna hunting nearby; guests especially enjoyed the large school of jacks for photos and video.
Our third day brought us a fantastic dive at Alcyone, with lots of hammerheads! At Submerged Rock we enjoyed the classic arch swim-throughs and a large school of jacks in the blue. Pájara was a gentler dive where we focused on small, charismatic species and endemic fish.
Day 4 at Small Dos Amigos we enjoyed encounters with several Galapagos sharks and even a couple of tiger sharks. In Porites Bay we saw silvertips, and the highlight of the day was an unforgettable interaction with more than twenty dolphins who stayed with us for over twenty minutes!! It was truly breathtaking. At Dirty Rock we encountered an enormous school of roughly 300+ hammerheads, two different oceanic blacktips, and a beautiful tornado of jacks at the end! Manuelita Coral Garden showed off Cocos Island’s incredible range of biodiversity, with repeated hammerhead sightings near the sand, a medium Galapagos shark, a blacktip, a silky, and one of the most impressive schools of yellowfin tuna our dive guides have ever seen—thousands moving together as one synchronous mass. We also found an orange frogfish on this dive.
Day 5 delivered the kind of magic everyone hopes for at Cocos: a large school of hammerheads at Alcyone, followed by an exceptional dive at Dirty Rock with hammerheads at the cleaning station, a Galapagos shark, a swirling school of jacks, and two playful mantas that stayed with us for nearly twenty minutes. It was a spectacular day underwater! At Dos Amigos Pequeño we had strong current but rewarding moments, with Galapagos sharks arriving in waves and passing close to the group. Alcyone gave us several oceanic blacktips and a pair of Galapagos sharks, followed by a hammerhead school out in the blue.
The sixth day brought steady, enjoyable diving, including a close pass from a relaxed manta. In the afternoon we visited the island and walked in Chatham Bay. On the seventh and final diving day, Dirty Rock once again delivered beautiful hammerhead activity, two oceanic blacktips, a large eagle ray, and multiple hammerhead schools in the blue. Our final Manuelita Coral Garden dive was a fun afternoon immersion with plenty of fish life, deep hammerheads, and two orange frogfish to close the trip on a high note.
I came here to see big animals, which I definitely did, but what impressed me the most about this trip was the health of the reefs and the incredible variety of life that I witnessed on each dive. I was amazed no matter which direction I looked. This is the first time I’ve had to clear my mask because it was filling up with tears. What a profound experience this trip was.
I’ve been on over a dozen liveaboards and this was by far my best one. Everything was perfect. Food was incredible thanks so much to the kitchen staff.rooms and service was also perfection never once had anything done wrong or slow. Hector is a great dm and makes me feel very safe . I watched Ian jump in the water in between two boats to help an older woman that fell in. He was on top of everything the entire time and truly made all of us feel safe and at home. He’s such a kind and gentle soul, you couldn’t have picked a better director. Easily the best director I’ve ever had on a boat. This is my second time here with you and definitely won’t be my last. See you again hopefully soon!
Captain Raul and his team, consisting of Gilberto, Carlos and Fernando, brought us safely to Cocos and all of the dive sites, even when the condition were pretty rough – safety is their mantra! I cannot stress enough how Chef Chico and Carew managed to cook us the most delicious menus every single day, tasty and with a lot of variations – plus we found out Carew is a great singer and songwriter! Last, but definitely not least we all have to thank Pollito, always attentive and helpful, from sunrise to the middle of the night. After experiencing many liveaboards, this crew ranks top in every category – well done!
Very nice team on the boat.
Food was also awesome.
Diving with Ian and Hector was very good, maybe one of the best divemasters I have ever been on a trip with (this was my 13th liveaboard).
Hundreds of hammerheads, manta rays, dolphins, other rays.Very good, divemasters were patient, glad there was always one at the back watching for tiger sharks! Crew very courteous. I appreciated fresh towels after every dive and the fresh coffee!
Loved the crew, Manuel and Roberto are the perfect duo , fun and professional. Ian too is very professional and friendly let’s you feel you are in good hands.