Remote Cocos Island is renowned for its Hammerhead Shark diving. Adventurous divers sail to this Pacific Ocean rock for the dive trip of a lifetime.
The pinnacles surrounding this island attract a number of larger marine species, including Manta Rays, Dolphins, Orcas, Humpbacks and Pilot Whales.
The Franklin Chang, Colonel Alfonso Monge, and the Caroline Star are all waiting to be explored within recreational limits along the Pacific coast.
Herradura’s premier underwater attraction, Giant Oceanic Manta Rays come to The Island to be cleaned by reef fish between December and May each year.
May to November is considered rainy season. Visitors can expect one to two hours of rainfall in the mid-afternoon during these months.
The rainy season is the best time to go if you’re an advanced diver who likes pelagic action. During these months, nutrient swells attract pelagic species closer to shore and Hammerhead Sharks to Cocos Island. These plankton blooms and river runoff decrease visibility at this time.
As an added benefit, fewer tourists arrive during rainy season, making this the low season. You’re likely to find the best deals on flights and accommodation during these months.
Advanced divers should head to Mona Island or the walls of the south coast. Beginners will be most comfortable with the shore dives in the east.
Diving Costa Rica is bound to be a highlight for many divers as the array and quantity of large marine life to see is astounding. Plankton rich waters bring visits from giant oceanic manta rays, schools of mobula rays as well as placid whale sharks. At Cocos Island and sometimes off the Nicoya Peninsula, scalloped hammerhead sharks gather in droves, and at Cocos Island especially, they are usually joined by great numbers of silky sharks.
Stingrays of many types can be seen out here as well as eagle rays. Schooling fish are usually grunts or trevally and they occur in the hundreds. Other sharks to see off the coast of Puntarenas are whitetip sharks, and the occasional bull shark. Sea turtles are also frequently seen and amongst the reefs and pinnacles are colorful parrotfish, moray eels, groupers, angelfish and others. The Pacific coast off Puntarenas is a favorite route for marine mammals migrating from the Southern Hemisphere so do look out for humpback whales and pilot whales during winter. Otherwise, there are pods of dolphins to enjoy year-round and maybe orca too.
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