Dive Conditions

Visibility: 73 ft

Water Temp. 80°F

Currents

mild

strong

Weather

Climate

sunny

rainy

Sea

calm

choppy

Crossings

to Cocos

calm

choppy

to land

calm

choppy

Sea Hunter

ORCAS!! The undeniable highlight of this trip was the several encounters with a pod of at least six orca whales!!

Now for the rest of the trip highlights:

We set sail from Puntarenas with a group of divers from Germany, the USA, the Philippines, Serbia, and France. The crossing was a bit bumpy, but luckily manageable. On the first day at the island, we did a check-out dive in Chatham Bay where we observed some whitetips, a silvertip, and an eagle ray. At Manuelita Channel, we spent about 15 minutes watching some hammerheads coming in to clean and passing close to our divers. After that, we spotted five eagle rays flying together in formation. In Manuelita Outside, we observed hammerheads coming in to clean themselves and, at the end, we passed a school of about 50+ hammerheads.

The next day, we started out at Punta Porites where we spotted eagle rays, a few hammerheads, and 4 silvertips that passed right in front of us. The second dive at Dirty Rock was lovely; as soon as we descended, hammerheads were just constantly entering the cleaning station. When we headed to the pinnacle, we observed a huge group of jacks and, at the end of the dive, in the blue, about 200+ hammerheads swimming under our group!

On day 3, we descended at Manuelita to the first cleaning station, which was full of small groups of hammerheads streaming in to be cleaned. Simultaneously, a gentle manta ray passed in front of us. Then at the second cleaning station, we saw a beautiful school of about 30 hammers. But the best was saved for last on this dive because at the very end we met again with the manta ray in front of the cleaning station and it was followed by a nonstop flow of hammerheads coming in within feet of us! It went on and on for about 20 minutes. If that was not enough, we finished up in the blue with hammerheads in all directions. During the last moments of the safety stop, the orcas appeared, and we were also able to observe them for quite a while from the boat.

We saw schools of 200+ hammerheads at Alcyone, and 100+ at Small Dos Amigos (as well as so many Galapagos sharks at the cleaning station!). At Big Dos Amigos, we visited the arch, and out in the blue, a giant manta flew by. Next thing we knew, we were in the middle of a school of 100+ hammerheads.

Dirty Rock was incredible; as soon as we descended, we observed how a school of hammerheads was showing off in front of the cleaning station repeatedly and at the same time hammerheads were entering in groups of 5 and up to 15 individuals at the cleaning station. Here we saw perhaps the largest hammerhead school all week long – hundreds of them in a gigantic school that danced to the rhythm of the current.

At Manuelita Out, we observed 2 cownose rays in the sand and some tuna hunting. The Channel was active with hammerhead and tiger sharks. On one dive, the tigers just kept appearing and circling us for about 20 minutes!

Alcyone was also spectacular, where we saw lots of Galapagos sharks appearing in all directions. The cleaning stations were active with the king angelfish cleaning in mid-water and the barberfish near the bottom. At the end, in the blue, we also got in the middle of a school of hammerheads of more than 200+ individuals. After the dive and on the way back to the boat, we met a beautiful humpback whale and its calf, which we observed from the panga. The last dive in Manuelita Channel was calm, with a few hammerheads passing close to the sandy bottom, some colorful fish, white tips, and marble rays.

What a trip ! Since day one to last day we had hammerhead shark school at almost every dives ! I was impressed by the diversity… big schooling of hammerhead sharks, silver tip, Galapagos sharks, giant oceanic mantas, mobulas, cow noses rays, few tiger sharks… even humpback whales, dolphins and Orcas at the surface…
It was more than my highest expectations ! For shark lovers living the cocos island experience is realizing your dreams. Thank you for protecting the world treasure and giving us the opportunity to feel the cocos island fever. I will definitely come back. The dive master were always asking for our preference dive site and always to the best to answer your wishes. I like the fact that they have good communication with the rangers and others vessels to make the best experience possible. Giovanny was crazy good to spotted animals underwater and I like is active guiding style.
The briefing were complete, dive map was clear and readable. I like the ranger intervention onboard.
Boat is nice, Tenders are confortable and it’s a must to not do your equipment every day. The cabin was comfy, little noisy during the way but really nice.  Staff was very professional and helpful. Food variety is great and healthy. I like the birthday cake attention. Thank you so much for everything.

Pauline Desert

My favorite dive site this trip was Manuelita out.we saw hundreds of hammerhead sharks. Mantas, a tiger shark, Manta rays and at least two other species of shark. It was an incredible overall dive experience. All the sites were fantastic. The staff, food and facilities were great. Rey helpful, friendly and polite staff. A very well run operation. The dives were conducted in a safe an professional manner. My dive masters Roberto and Diego were excellent. Not just in terms of handling the group, but also with spotting and pointing out wildlife. You can truly see their passion for diving and the animals and they made every dive a great one. I wish more people would guide like this. I will definitely be back.

David Ippen
We had amazing dives in Manuelita island, the third day in Manuelita Outside it was FULL of hammerhead sharks, big schooling, actions everywhere it was mind blowing! On the day six, we saw at least five tiger sharks in Manuelita Channel, coming so close. Orcas moment was truly unique…Magical cocos island…The crew members were great and professional. Thank you Giovanny for being such a good animals spotter. Pipi for his good vibes, Rafa the skiff driver for his smile and Emanuel the chef for his personal attention. I’d like that the crew is passionate and always ready to find marine life at the surface too.
Enzo B.

My best experience so far in my whole life was on Undersea Hunter. From the moment I stepped on the boat, I felt like I was at home. The staff were incredibly attentive and helpful, making sure that every aspect of my experience was perfect. Their passion and dedication to their job was evident and I was blown away by the level of service they provided. I can’t thank them enough for making my time on the boat truly unforgettable. The Undersea Hunter and its staff exceeded all my expections and I am grateful for the incredible memories that I will always cherish. Their warm hospitality and impeccable service truly made the lasting impression on me. (Grateful and heartfelt)

Dennis Corpus

The best dive sites for me are Manuelita. Channel out, Dirty Rock. And Manuelita coral garden. Hundreds of hammerheads, silvertips, Galapagos shark, oceanic Mantas, tornado of Jacks,Orcas, a baby humpback. And dolphins! Hard to match! With lots of photo opportunities

Teresa Sy Ortin

We saw over 600 hammerheads in one dive. This experience is so hard to match.

Jobet De la Cruz

I liked all dive sites, and Manuelita and Dirty Rock, like special. During all dives, we saw Hammerhead sharks, coming close to the divers, many many schools of Hammerheads, usually mix of both, also several diving with Tiger sharks, Galapagos sharks, White tip sharks are everywhere, several diving with Silver tip and Black tip sharks. There were Mantas, frog fishes, octopuses, many marble rays, turtles, eagle rays,…and we were lucky, Orcas where around Cocos. Diving in Cocos is just incredible, and even better with support of the Undersea Hunter crew. Staff is always there to make this diving trip even better, friendly, CD and guides are great divers with lot of experience, and always looking for the best during dive. The entire staff of the boat is simply fantastic.

Vesna Njagulj