Deep Water Diving in Cocos

Unlike the Bermuda Triangle and its disappearing ships, the Hammerhead Triangle is a mythical region in the eastern Pacific Ocean where marine life thrives. The corners of the triangle are marked by three remote, offshore islands – the Galapagos, Malpelo and Cocos Island – connected by underwater highways, and this imaginary territory, specifically Cocos Island, is considered the best place in the world to see vast congregations of schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks. Located a 300-mile voyage from mainland Costa Rica, Cocos Island attracts megafauna like few others, and those venturing to enjoy the deep water diving in Cocos Island can expect to be greeted by giant Pacific manta rays, silky sharks, silvertip sharks and eagle rays. Not to forget the occasional orca, tiger shark and huge pods of bottlenose dolphins...... Our team of dive travel experts have taken up the arduous task of deep water diving in Cocos on all the top liveaboards and know the best operators to ply the ocean. We can help build your dream Costa Rican itinerary to enjoy the big fish action at Cocos Island and explore the incredible biodiversity of mainland Costa Rica.

Bajo Alcyone

After the accidental sinking of the Calypso, the Cousteau Society embarked on its next expedition aboard the Alcyone, their newly christened vessel. During their diving exploration at Cocos Island, the crew stumbled upon a seamount located just over a kilometre from the shore, which they named after their own ship. Rising within 25 metres of the surface, Bajo Alcyone greets divers with all the big-ticket pelagics, including silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, dolphins, turtles, and sailfish.

While there's always the chance of seeing scalloped hammerheads while deep water diving in Cocos Island, Bajo Alcyone stands out as the best spot. Here, divers have the best chances to snap screensaver-worthy shots of immense schoolsof sharks stretching as far as the eye can see.

Dirty Rock

The jagged, guano-stained rocks that break through the water's surface serve as the inspiration behind the name of this dive site. Below these rocky outcrops lie cleaning stations that attract giant manta rays, while the eastern part of the site features a hammerhead amphitheatre at 30 metres.

As so often is the case when deep water diving in Cocos, you can expect to see a number of different species of sharks at Dirty Rock. Silkies, Galapagos and silvertip sharks join the hammerheads on the list of usual suspects, while whale sharks and tiger sharks also make the occasional appearance.

Punta Maria

There's no shortage of deep water diving in Cocos, and for those seeking the thrill of depth and strong currents, the submerged seamount known as Punta Maria awaits. With its pinnacle rising to within 24 metres of the surface, divers must perform a rapid descent to find refuge within its shelter. Once in the lee of the current, divers can relax and take in their fishy surroundings...

This dive site is a paradise for shark photography enthusiasts, boasting two additional pinnacles away from the main rock, accessible only when the currents permit. The main pinnacle is a hub of activity, featuring cleaning stations frequently visited by Galapagos sharks. As the sharks approach, they slow down, giving the cleaner fish a chance to feast on parasites and photographers a chance to engage their trigger fingers.