Category: Costa Rica

Cocos Island in Costa Rica is a scuba diving wonderland. In addition to being one of the best shark diving destinations in the world, it’s also a haven for all sorts of pelagic species. But this remote island has even more to offer.

This paradise is located 342 miles from the Costa Rican mainland. The island itself is only 10 square miles, so diving at Cocos is only possible from a liveaboard. Cocos Island live aboards depart from Puntarenas and take approximately 36 hours to reach their destination. Generally, itineraries range from 8 to 10 nights.

Scuba diving in Cocos Island is a far cry from most tropical destinations. You won’t find bountiful coral reefs in the region. In fact, the underwater landscape of this remote island is mostly made up of dramatic pinnacles with arches and drop-offs. These seem to descend to the bottom of Earth.

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If you weren’t already dreaming of a tropical vacation, you will be now!

The recipe for paradise is quite simple: sparkling turquoise sea stretching as far as the eye can see, soft, sugary sand underfoot and warm sun beaming overhead. And where can you find paradise here on Earth? Well, with some of the clearest water on the planet, these picturesque beaches come very close. Feast your eyes on 15 of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.

1. Hvar Island, Croatia

Sunlight is a key ingredient for stunning ocean hues. Hvar has more than its fair share with an average of 2,700 sunlight hours each year. That’s more than any other Croatian island, and makes the surrounding Adriatic Sea shine brighter.

2. Koh Lanta, Thailand

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The Isla del Coco celebrates a landmark in its history.

Located 532 km away from Cabo Blanco, Puntarenas, Cocos Island is celebrating its 20th anniversary of being declared by the UNESCO as a Natural Heritage for Humanity Site.

The island is located in the Pacific Ocean with a terrestrial ecosystem of 24 square km and 12 nautical miles that are completely protected as a national park. With more than 2600 different species of flora and fauna, the island represents a sanctuary for life on a global level.

Due to the protection and isolation of the national park, it’s one of the most privileged natural sites in the world. Its biodiversity makes it the ideal natural research laboratory.

The UNESCO Natural Heritage declaration on Dec. 6, 1997, was the result of a joint effort by the Costa Rican government and the nonprofit Friends of Cocos Island (FAICO).

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If, like a lot of divers, your inspiration to start diving came from Jacques Cousteau then Cocos Island should be on your radar: he considered Cocos Island to be the most beautiful island in the world.

In 1997 the island, located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uninhabited, it boasts the only humid tropical forest on a tropical island in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and is one of the most important sites for the protection of large pelagic migratory species, such as sharks, rays and dolphins. Sharks that are commonly found here include endangered and near threatened species like the scalloped hammerhead shark, silky sharks and whale sharks.

Why is Cocos Island a Hope Spot?

Hope Spots are a concept launched by Dr. Sylvia Earle in her 2009 TED talk.

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Cocos Island deserves its reputation as one of the best diving destinations in the world. Situated 342 miles off the coast of Costa Rica, this remote volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since reaching the island takes over 30 hours by boat, the best way to discover the destination is with a Cocos Island liveaboard.

The island is a haven for pelagic fish, most notably schools of hammerhead sharks. The area is rich in underwater pinnacles and seamounts and boasts colorful, healthy coral reefs. Diving with a liveaboard boat at Cocos Island is an unforgettable experience.

Here at The Adventure Junkies, we want to help you get the most out of your liveaboard trip to Cocos Island.

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