Best Time to Dive in Cocos Island

The island is best known for spectacular shark-spotting opportunities, so between April and November, watch out for schools of scalloped hammerheads as they cut through the water. Outside of these months, keep your eyes peeled for bull, silky, white-tip, Galapagos and silvertip sharks, with even the occasional sighting of an elusive whale shark.

If sharks aren't your thing, don't worry - there's plenty of other fish in the sea (quite literally). As you dive down, expect to spot elegant eagle and manta rays weaving their way through the water.

Located over 500 miles from Costa Rica's western coast, Cocos Island is only accessible via liveaboard. This distance from mainland Costa Rica has meant that Cocos Island has become one of the world's finest liveaboard destinations, with a number of vessels offering ten-night itineraries all year round.

Below are our recommendations for the best time to dive in Cocos Island, as well as our suggestions for the best places to dive in each month of the year. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice.

When to go

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Cocos Island
Best time
Low season
Off season