Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Cocos island costa rica cocos island costa rica scuba. Cano island biological reserve my costa rica travel agency. Shark diving in cocos, costa rica trip report scuba.
Day 11 check out at 7 am and transfer to san jose airport or host hotels. Despite its remoteness, people have been talking about cocos island since time immemorial. This remote locations only tourist activity is by liveaboard boats, primarily cocos scuba diving liveaboards. Coast guard, rangers onisland, the yacht owner on the mainland and the yacht owners son. The mv okeanos aggressor is a 33m world class liveaboard yacht offering year round diving cruises to the remote cocos island. Isla del coco is an island in the pacific ocean administered by costa rica, approximately 550 km 342 mi. The tropika restaurant is on west island, whilst bunga melati is on home island. Cocos island costa rica travel tips costa rica things to do, map.
Geologically, it is part of the cocos ridge and is. There are touring companies that can arrange these for you that include transfers from san jose to puntarenas. Before visiting cocos island in costa rica there are few things you should. This is an especially good area for observing sharks, although its also a good spot to look for pilot whales, manta rays, and whale sharks. Cocos island is often rated one of the top 10 best places to scuba dive in the world, and was described by. A permanent ranger station is located on the island that oversees the natural habitats of both land and marine life. Unfortunately, its a very difficult place to get to because its so far off the coast.
The clarity of the water was absolutely insane, even though it looked cloudy and dark above water, underneath was as clear as day. A rugged yet incredibly verdant island, this world heritage site is the spectacularly beautiful crown jewel of costa ricas many national parks. It is costa ricas most secluded and least visited national park and can only be reached by a 36hour boat ride. Schooling hammerheads, countless whitetip sharks, mantas, tuna and even whale sharks call cocos home. Cocos island national park is isolated in the open ocean. Those visiting cocos islands will fly into the city of san jose, costa rica. Guests fly to san jose, costa rica for a twohour airconditioned bus ride to puntarenas, which showcases some of costa ricas most beautiful views. Other cocos islands endemics include 2 lizards, freshwater fish, and nearly a hundred insects. Cocos island is an island approx 600 off the nearest costa rican coast of volcanic origin. Youll need to get on board a liveaboard boat to get there, and the common departure point is the port of puntarenas, around a 90minute drive from the capital san jose. It is known as the secondbest place in costa rica for to take a dive, after cocos island. Entry to the island is by permit only and there is no accommodations on the island except for the quarters of the dozen park rangers. An excellent book to get excited before costa rica diving and reminiscing about it.
Guests fly to san jose, costa rica for a twohour airconditioned bus ride to puntarenas, which showcases some of costa rica s most beautiful views. Uninhibited except for park rangers, the square shaped island lies in the pacific ocean, covering an area of 9. Cocos island marine park costa rica undersea hunter. Lying 342 miles 550km off the shore of costa rica, cocos island was. A guide for diving cocos island, including the best time of year to see bull sharks. Costa rica liveaboard scuba diving, cocos island aggressor. Jan 16, 2018 cocos island is a national park, the building shown at 1. Apparently, the island was used as a safe house for pirates. Belongong to costa rica, cocos island is the mecca for divers looking for big.
Cocos island national park is a scuba diving paradise that contains 11,500 acres of water filled with hammerhead sharks, tropical fish and coral reefs. A map of cocos island isla del coco drawn in 1947, costa rica. Coco island dive charter tour, costa rica northern. Cocos island national park province of puntarenas 2020 all you. Consequently, youve got to book a liveaboard dive trip if you want to visit. In this respect, cocos island appears to be completely unique. Cocos island costa rica travel tips costa rica things to. A divers delight awaits you at costa rica s coco island, an unesco world heritage site. I can definitely see now why snorkeling at cano island is right behind coco island as the top places in costa rica for snorkeling and diving. The cocos island section is the real standout, and is required reading for. May 19, 2016 cocos island costa rica is admired by scuba divers cocos island is an island designated as a national park off the shore of costa rica, that does not allow inhabitants other than costa rican park.
Costa rica literally translates to rich coast, an apt name for a country surrounded by oceans. The clarity of the water was absolutely insane, even though it looked. Howard halls film island of the sharks was filmed here, and sharks are the main attraction. Cocos island costa rica tourist spots around the world. Coco island dive charter tour, costa rica northern pacific. Keep in mind that these tours are very expensive, some of around 6000 usd, for a 10night trip to the island. The galapagos islands are the nearest neighbor a few hundred miles further southwest.
This national park was declared a world heritage site by unesco in 1997 for its unmatched natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Also a world heritage site, cocos island is a costa rica national park too, and is uninhabited except for wildlife, park rangers, and. The waters surrounding cocos island are a playground for hammerheads, eagle rays, and whales. Costa rica is famous among experienced divers for the big animal action off uninhabited cocos island, 340 miles offshore from punta arenas. Jan 22, 2020 the second best snorkeling in costa rica. Includes information on water temperature and other travel information for divers. From san jose it is a 2hour drive to puntarenas for transit to liveaboards. Cocos island national park, province of puntarenas.
Cocos island costa rica is located approximately 550 kilometers or about 340 miles off the pacific shores of the country. It constitutes the 11th of the districts of puntarenas canton of the province of puntarenas. In 1994, after several return visits to the island, jacques cousteau pronounced cocos, the most beautiful island in the world. Cocos island is a crucial habitat for other large pelagic species like dolphins, giant manta rays and at least eight types of sharks. Cocos island national park visit costa rica costa rica.
Cocos island liveaboards will take you some 550 kilometres from the costa rican pacific coast, where divers will find nutrientrich waters filled with diverse marine life of all shapes and sizes, guaranteed to wow even the most experienced of underwater addicts. A rugged and incredibly beautiful island, today cocos island is the most sacred national park in costa ricas extensive park system. Find a liveaboard practical information book a trip. Cocos island costa rica a word heritage site full of. Apr 21, 2014 cocos island is an island approx 600 off the nearest costa rican coast of volcanic origin. I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in cocos island costa rica as they usually have the lowest rates i find. Most diving trips to cocos island run for 10 nights as the tour. There are two restaurants and a couple of cafes on cocos. Public domain the earliest pirate known to use cocos as a safe haven from the. Cocos island national park encompasses the entire island, protecting its lands and waters.
This is also high season for diving trips to cocos island, so make sure to book as far in. Cocos island is a national park, the building shown at 1. Here are challenging, hightension dives among hammerheads, mantas, occasional whale sharks, and other aweinspiring creatures. Cocos has amazing white sand beaches with crystal clear water, but the tourists dont spend a lot of time there. The main reason people visit cano island, is for the world class snorkeling and scuba diving. Cocos island is said to be in possession of an ecological character that is not shared by any other island, no matter how popular it might be. Cocos island is located in the eastern tropical pacific approximately 300 miles southwest of cabo blanco, costa rica. Several species of birds can be observed on and around the island, three of which are endemic to coco islandthe cocos island cuckoo. Each diver is issued a satellitepowered gps spot personal tracker and instructed how to use it in the event of trouble, it will signal the yacht, the costa rican coast guard, the u.
Escape to cocos island a lush, green uninhabited island resting 342 miles off costa ricas pacific coast. Costa ricas excellent public bus system will drop you off at playa del cocos downtown plaza. Boarding and departure depends on the tide schedule. Its nutrient rich deep water is what attracts the large schools of pelagic life, namely the regularly seen schools of hammerhead sharks at the worlds largest cleaning station that make the region a top class diving destination. Whether youre just planning on touring the local coco island area or expect to see all of the greater costa rica area, we wish you well on your adventure.
Of the principal islands of the eastern tropical pacific cocos, clipperton, malpelo and galapagos, it is the only one that receives sufficient rainfall to support a. Apr, 2017 if you think that theres no such island exist, then think again. Cocos island one of costa ricas most well known dive spots. In 1978, an executive decree declared cocos island as a national park of costa rica. Cheap flights to coco island, costa rica in 2020 expedia. This site is frequented by giant manta rays and jumping mobula ray. Depending on conditions at sea, the boat trip from costa ricas mainland usually takes about 36 hours. If you think that theres no such island exist, then think again. Cocos island is an island designated as a national park off the shore of costa rica.
Rocky pinnacles surrounding cocos are beacons for big animals and big action. Located in the middle of the pacific ocean approximately 340 miles off the coast, cocos island is at the same time the most remote and the least visited of all the 25 national parks here. The island is popularly known as isla del coco in the native tongue of costa rica. Situated in home island, this romantic guesthouse is 0.
Cocos island liveaboards diving cocos island, costa rica. It rises to an elevation of about 2,800 feet 850 metres above sea level, is about 5 miles 8 km long and 3 miles 5 km wide, and has a total area of 9 square miles 24 square km. Cocos island national park costa rica was declared national park on june 11th, 1978 because of its unique ecological diversity and the habitats the site provides for marine wildlife, including large pelagic species, especially sharks. Cocos island costa rica is admired by scuba divers cocos island is an island designated as a national park off the shore of costa rica, that does not. Cocos island is an island approx 550km off the coast of costa rica of tectonic and volcanic origin. Cocos island isla del coco is the secret gem we refer to, which is the prize of all of costa ricas national parks. Costa ricas cocos island national park is located 340 miles 550 km off the pacific coast of costa rica. Immediately after boarding for our costa rica liveaboard scuba diving adventure, the yacht departs for its 36 hour crossing to cocos island. The island is located between parallels 530 and 534 and meridians 8710 and 876 the blueturquoise water is extraordinarily clear and makes a great habitat for an abundance of marine life, making this island one of the most extraordinary places in the world for. Cocos island is often rated one of the top 10 best places to scuba dive in the world, and was described by jacques couteau as the most beautiful island in the world. All you need to know about cocos island costa rica scuba.
The safety briefing alone lasts nearly an hour and a half. Cocos island costa rica share tweet pin mail centuries ago cocos island was the hideyhole for pirates, the hub of explorers and sailors and the much publicized inspiration for literary classics such as robert louis stevensons treasure island. Stunning cocos liveaboard diving cruises, costa rica. As weve mentioned, cocos island is over 500 kilometres from the mainland. Get up to 100% off your flight to coco island when booking a. Aug 18, 2011 also a world heritage site, cocos island is a costa rica national park too, and is uninhabited except for wildlife, park rangers, and a few tourists. Costa ricas excellent public bus system will drop you off at playa del coco s downtown plaza. Cocos island is one of the best 10 scuba diving spots in the world according with padi, get a tailor made diving package all inclusive now. Coco island national park, costa rica city guide go visit costa. All you need to know about cocos island costa rica scuba diving. There is now a fleet of liveaboard vessels that visit.
So we recommend you book many months in advance of your travel dates to avoid disappointment. Apparently, the island was used as a safe house for pirates and you can find names carved into rocks from the. The nearest land is costa rica 300 miles 500 km to the east. On the pacific side, offshore islands defined by their underwater pinnacles, such as cocos island and the bat and catalina islands in guanacaste, offer up enticing shark and manta ray encounters. In 1997, the cocos island national park, located approximately 500 km off the pacific coast of costa rica, was. When visiting cocos island national park, costa rica, both suburbanites and urban city dwellers are going to be amazed by the adventure that awaits. In fact, those are the descriptions that perfectly fits the farflung area of cocos island which has become popular, not just in mainland costa rica, but to the rest of the world. Cocos island costa rica travel tips costa rica things to do. Established as a national park in 1978, the island is located in the pacific ocean southwest of cabo blanco and. Cocos island costa rica costa rica costa rica travel.
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