Cocos Island - Costa Rica
Oct 9-20, 2029
*Closed circuit rebreather friendly expedition
M/V SEA HUNTER liveaboard
Word from Mike
I am excited to announce Evolution Dive Travels first excursion to Cocos Island off Costa Rica. If big animals are your jam then this place will rock you. The schooling hammerheads are the highlight but there is much more to experience on this isolated rock off Costa Rica. I suggest exploring this trip page to learn exactly what makes this place next level. And did I mention this is a CCR friendly trip?
Why visit?
World-class diving: Strong currents and abundant nutrients create ideal conditions for schooling pelagics: scalloped and great hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, manta rays, whale sharks (seasonal), and large schools of jacks and tuna.Exceptional marine biodiversity: Over 30 species of sharks have been recorded, plus vibrant corals, sponges, and endemic fish species.Remote, pristine environment: As a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site, Cocos Island benefits from strict protections that keep marine life relatively undisturbed.Rugged topography: Dramatic walls, pinnacles, and caves that funnel currents and attract marine life.
Package Price starting at $9790
All Inclusive
What’s Included
12 days/11 nights Accommodation
8 days diving up to 3 dives per day
National Park Fee (Valued at $640)
Nitrox
All Meals & Snacks
Non-Alcoholic beverages & Beer
Transfers to & from designated hotel in San Jose
Starlink Internet Access
Professional guide service and Photographic tips & techniques by Mike Gerken
Tanks + weights
What’s Not Included
Hotel stays before & after charter
Gratuities - 10% of cruise price is customary but at the discretion of the individual.
Airport transfers to and from hotel
Fuel surcharge if required (pending exorbitant fuel pricing at time of charter).
CCR tank rental + sorb (pre-book required)
Dive rental equipment
High-capacity steel tank (pre-book required)
Cocos Island
Cocos Island (Isla del Coco) is a remote, protected national park located about 340 miles (about 550 kilometers) off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Renowned among divers and marine biologists, it’s famous for large pelagic encounters—particularly hammerhead sharks—thrilling underwater topography, and lush tropical rainforest.
We will spend 12 days/11 nights & 8 days of diving exploring world class dive sites from aboard the M/V Sea Hunter; a tried & true ocean going vessel.
Cocos offers some of the most rewarding big-animal diving on the planet. It’s a commitment in time and cost, but for those seeking powerful encounters with apex predators in a wild, pristine setting, it’s often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Cocos delivers some of the most spectacular diving on the planet. Here, pristine waters take you directly to the largest hammerhead schools in the world.
Need to know
Drift diving and current techniques: Divers should be comfortable with strong currents, experience in drift diving and peak buoyancy control.Experience level: AOW divers with minimum 50 logged dives; Deep Diver Specialty recommended.Gear and conditions: Water temperatures often range 78–83°F (26–29°C) but can feel cooler with currents; 5–7mm wetsuits or semi-drysuits recommended.Depths between 60’-130’ / 20-30 M
Safety and health: Seas can be rough during transit; seasickness remedies and physical readiness for long boat rides are important.Starlink Internet access is available at an additional fee.
Land based Tours
Mike will be setting up land based tour(s) for our hotel stay days or for an optional add-on trip. Costa Rica is a naturalists paradise. Stay tuned for details.
CCR Friendly
Sea Hunter is a CCR friendly vessel. Sorb and CCR tank rentals must be pre-booked in advance. CCR divers must show proof of certification and proficiency with the units they are diving with,
M/V SEA HUNTER
After hundreds of diving expeditions, the Sea Hunter has evolved into the consummate hybrid of luxury and utility. This 115-foot (35 meters) cruiser boasts a global reach, and was specifically conceived for long-range journeys to remote destinations like Cocos Island.
The spacious craft has everything a serious diver or photographer could ask for. Individual gear lockers, private camera/strobe storage bins with 110 & 220 ac power, dual camera rinse tanks and even a drone takeoff/landing pad.
Ten comfortable staterooms accommodate every amenity with plenty of room for up to 20 passengers, including ensuite controllable air conditioning, hot water showers, daily housekeeping and complimentary laundry service. Ample public spaces include an indoor lounge and study plus an expansive sundeck for relaxing in between dives.
Sea Hunter’s brilliantly-engineered design is complemented by a seasoned crew of ten, who give it their all to ensure that every voyage is a trip of a lifetime. Together they have introduced adventure divers, professional photographers and cinematographers to an unparalleled level of service.
Getting there
Fly into San Jose (SJO) direct from gateway cities whenever possible.
Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Fort Lauderdale, Las Angeles, Toronto are some of the cities with direct flights to SJO.
Delta, AA, United, Alaska Air, Air Canada are a few of the airlines flying to SJO.
Arrive 1 day prior to Sea Hunter departure in case of travel delays. Sea Hunter will depart as scheduled.
Transfers vessel are from designated hotels only. Contact Mike for list.
Pick-ups are between 7-10:00 AM
Drive is approximately 3 hours to Puntarenas where the Sea Hunter docks.
Disembarkation approximately 8:00 AM on Oct 20 where upon you will be transferred back to departure hotel. Due to potential delays, flying out same day as disembarkation is not recommended. Do so at your own risk.
Insurance
Dive Accident Insurance such as DAN (Divers Alert Network) is mandatory for this expedition. Being evacuated and treated for diver related injury from a remote destination such as this is extremely expensive.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Please see Terms & Conditions at pre-booking process.
