Cocos Island✓ data verified

Costa Rica · North America · Pacific Ocean

3.7
/ 5
★★★★☆
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Level Technical
Marine life
4.5
Visibility
4.0
Accessibility
2.5
Facilities
2.0

Pros

  • Excellent visibility up to 25 m
  • 4 standout marine species
  • Best conditions in Jun–Nov

Cons

  • Strong currents — skilled divers only
  • Very deep dives to 50 m
  • Liveaboard-only access

Best for

Big-marine-life fansLiveaboard tripsClean-water photography

Not for

Absolute beginnersDay-trippers without a boat

Plan your trip

$$$$
🛏️
Suggested stay
5–7 days
💸
Cost level
Relative cost $$$$ · ≈ $151/day
Liveaboard safari diving is premium (accommodation + charter).
🏨
Where to stay
Liveaboard cruises are the signature here — many divers sleep on board. A quiet, remote site — book lodging well in advance.
🧭
Real daily cost in Costa Rica
Around $151/day per person · food $47 · hotel $135
Country costs →Best dive sites in Costa Rica
Good to know
  • Expect strong current — run drift dives with an experienced local guide.
  • Conditions can be demanding; dive with an operator who knows the site.
  • Technical certification is required.
  • Prime season is Jun–Nov.
Cocos Island
📷 Mikenorton · CC BY-SA 4.0
Depth
5–50 m (16–164 ft)
Visibility
25 m (82 ft)
Water temp
24–29°C (75–84°F)
Current
Strong
Best season
Jun–Nov
Certification
Tech/Rec
Dive shops
0
Live sea temperature · … (Open-Meteo)

Why go

Cocos Island sits in the Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica, a wall and reef system where dives drop from shallow tops into deeper water. Dives run to 50 m with around 25 m visibility, strong currents and sea temperatures of 24–29°C. Marine highlights include hammerheads, mantas, whale sharks and silky sharks. Best season is Jun–Nov, typically reached by liveaboard. For trained technical divers. A Technical certification is recommended. Strong currents and dives to 50 m call for solid buoyancy and comfort at depth.

Site type
WallDrift
Access
Liveaboard

Marine life

hammerheadsmantaswhale sharkssilky sharks
Coordinates
5.53, -87.07
Country
Costa Rica

Part of these itineraries

Pacific Big Animal Circuit: Galapagos, Cocos & Malpelo

Pacific Big Animal Circuit: Galapagos, Cocos & Malpelo

14 daystechnical

Notes from divers

Traveler

A highlight of the trip. I'll be back, and I'll bring my dive buddy.

Instructor

Reliable conditions and plenty of variety — I rate it highly for guiding.

Anonymous

Beautiful spot. Do respect the reef and keep your distance.