Cocos Island is a remote, uninhabited island located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 300 miles off the coast of Costa Rica. It is one of the world’s premier diving destinations, renowned for its rich marine life and clear waters.
Here are the top 10 reasons why diving in Cocos Island should be on every scuba diver’s bucket list:
1- Incredible Marine Life
The island’s underwater ecosystem is home to a diverse array of species, including large schools of hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, and Galapagos sharks. Other notable marine creatures include dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays, and sea turtles.
Learn more about what there is to see at Cocos here.
2- Shark Diving
The waters around Cocos Island are home to various species of sharks, including hammerheads, whale sharks, tiger sharks, and Galapagos sharks. These sharks are attracted to the island’s nutrient-rich waters, which provide them with ample food and create a perfect environment for them to thrive.
Shark diving in Cocos Island is highly regulated to ensure the safety of both divers and the sharks. Only a limited number of divers are allowed to visit the island each year, and strict guidelines are in place to ensure that divers do not disturb the sharks or their habitat.
Cocos Island is a good place for shark diving because of its diverse shark species, nutrient-rich waters, and strict regulations that ensure a safe and respectful diving experience for both humans and sharks.
3- Pristine Coral Reefs:
The coral reefs around Cocos Island are made up of both hard and soft corals, and the different types of corals provide shelter and food for a wide range of fish and other marine creatures. The reefs are also home to a variety of sponges, sea anemones, and other invertebrates.
One of the most impressive features of the coral reef around Cocos Island is the sheer variety of marine life that can be found there. In addition to the numerous species of fish that inhabit the reef, there are also sea turtles, octopuses, and even reef sharks that can be seen swimming among the corals.
4- Remote and Exclusive:
Cocos Island is considered a remote destination due to its location in the Pacific Ocean, about 300 miles off the coast of Costa Rica. The island is only accessible by boat. The journey to Cocos Island can take several hours by boat, and weather conditions can make travel difficult at times. The remote location of Cocos Island also contributes to its unique and unspoiled natural environment, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife and ecosystems.
5- Drift Diving:
Cocos Island is known for its exciting drift diving opportunities, where divers can experience a thrilling ride while observing the underwater world.
Safety Tip: Make sure your operator provide with you with safety equipment (ie: Nautilus Lifeline).
6- Underwater Photography:
Cocos Island is considered an excellent destination for underwater photography. The island’s clear waters and abundant marine life offer plenty of opportunities for capturing stunning images of sharks, dolphins, rays, and other marine creatures. The island’s remote location has also helped to preserve its natural beauty, and visitors can expect to see healthy coral reefs and an array of colorful fish and invertebrates.
7- Liveaboard Adventures:
Liveaboard trips to Cocos Island offer an all-inclusive experience, including multiple dives per day and the opportunity to explore the island’s rugged terrain.
8- Stunning Topside Scenery:
The rugged and picturesque landscape of Cocos Island is a stunning backdrop to the underwater world.
Cocos Island is home to several waterfalls, including the Chatham Bay Waterfall, which is one of the most popular among visitors. The Chatham Bay Waterfall is located on the southern side of the island and can be reached via a short hike through the jungle.
The Chatham Bay Waterfall cascades down a series of rocky steps, dropping over 50 feet into a clear pool below. The pool is surrounded by lush vegetation, making it a picturesque spot for swimming or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the island.
In addition to the Chatham Bay Waterfall, there are several other waterfalls on Cocos Island, including the Wafer Waterfall and the Golden Lion Waterfall. These waterfalls are located in more remote areas of the island and require a longer hike to reach. However, the effort is often rewarded with stunning views and the chance to see some of the island’s wildlife up close.
9- Wreck Diving:
There are several wrecks around Cocos Island that are popular among wreck divers. One of the most famous wrecks is the Bajo Alcyone, a cargo ship that sank in 1991. The wreck is now home to a variety of marine life, including schools of fish, sharks, and eels.
Another popular wreck dive is the Manuelita, a cargo ship that sank in 1921. The wreck is covered in coral and sponges, and is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and schools of fish.
Wreck diving at Cocos Island is not for beginner divers, as the currents can be strong and unpredictable, and the dives can be deep. Divers should have advanced open water certification and experience with drift diving before attempting to dive the wrecks at Cocos Island.
Overall, wreck diving at Cocos Island is a thrilling and rewarding experience for experienced divers who are up for the challenge.
10- Conservation Efforts:
Cocos Island is a protected marine reserve, and diving here supports conservation efforts aimed at preserving the area’s natural beauty and marine life for future generations.
Discover more on www.cocosisland.org