Welcome to Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Escape to Cocos Island a lush, green uninhabited island resting 342 miles off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Rocky pinnacles surrounding Cocos are beacons for big animals and big action. Schooling hammerheads, countless white-tip sharks, mantas, tuna and even whale sharks call Cocos home.
Cocos island National Park was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. Weather permitting, Okeanos Aggressor guests are shuttled ashore to hike through the jungles of Cocos and swim in her many waterfalls. All ten-day trips offer seven days of diving. The Wind Dancer sets off from the port town of Punteranas.
Getting There:
Cocos Island is located off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Guests fly to San Jose, Costa Rica for a two-hour air-conditioned bus ride to Puntarenas, which showcases some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful views. The Okeanos Aggressor cruises approximately 32 hours to Cocos Island.
Most major airlines fly into San Jose, Costa Rica: American, Iberia, United, Delta, Lacsa, Taca and US Airways. An overnight stay in San Jose is usually required prior to the trip due to airline schedules. Recommended hotels are the host hotels, Holiday Inn- Escazu and Indigo Hotel in San Jose where group transfers are provided from.
Arrival/Boarding/Departure:
Guests will be met by a crewmember in uniform at the Holiday Inn – Escazu and Indigo Hotel (host hotels) on the day of departure at a pre-set time for our group transfer. The pick-up and boarding time schedule is available in our “Know Before You Go” document and below in the “Departure Schedule” link. Boarding depends on the tide schedule. Immediately after boarding the yacht departs for its crossing to Cocos Island to prepare for diving Monday morning. After a full seven days of diving, the Okeanos Aggressor returns back to the dock in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Check-out is Tuesday morning at 7:30 am. Transportation is provided back to the host hotels or San Jose (SJO) airport from the yacht at the end of the charter. Book flights after 12:30 pm.
Diving Environment:
- Whale Sharks, Schooling Hammerhead Sharks, White-tip Sharks, Tuna, Manta Rays, Turtles and Giant Frogfish
- All dives from tenders.
- Water temperature: 72 – 82F, 22 – 28C with cooler thermoclines
- 3 – 5 mm wetsuit recommended
Taxes & Fees:
USD $245 Park Fee, $30 Emergency Evacuation Plan, (both paid onboard), $28 airport departure tax paid at airport. All fees and taxes must be paid in cash.
NEW COCOS ISLAND EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN (Starting January 1, 2013)
There is a new mandatory $30 charge for an “Emergency Evacuation Plan” that will be paid onboard the yacht. In the unlikely event that a diving accident or medical emergency occurs while 300+ miles from the mainland at Cocos Island, it is imperative that the injured party be transported to a medical care facility as quickly as possible. When medical evacuation is needed, this service (which is administered and operated by the Traveler Emergency Medical Services (Traveler EMS) subsidiary of Divers Alert Network) utilizes pre-established and pre-authorized emergency evacuation protocols that have been created to facilitate the immediate dispatch of medical transport. Depending on the benefits under other policies held by the guest, their insurance carrier may or may not have logistics in place to deal specifically with Cocos Island – which could result in delayed response times for the medical evacuation and ultimate first responder care. This new program benefits every passenger aboard, not only the injured diver. Currently if the injured diver’s insurance plan fails to respond quickly enough with evacuation plans, the captain of the yacht would be obligated to terminate the cruise early and head back to port – thus impacting everyone’s travels. This new program minimizes this risk for all guests.
DAN’s Traveler EMS “Emergency Evacuation Plan”only provides 1st responder care (if available) during transport and transport to a medical facility. It does NOT provide medical care. All divers visiting Cocos Island are required to have some form of diving accident insurance and are encouraged to purchase Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance as well. Your diving and travel insurance policy(s) provide you the financial protection for the actual medical care plus any further medical transport above and beyond returning you from the yacht to a local medical facility on the mainland.
Top Dive Sites – Cocos Island
Alcyone
A 600’ long submerged mountain, the top of the mountain is 75’ from the surface. Schooling Hammerheads, Mantas and schooling fish. Possible Sailfish or Marlin.
Big Dos Amigos
This islet features a 45-foot-high arch and 60-foot pinnacle off the southeast side. Look for Rainbow Runners, Yellowtail Snapper, Bigeye Jacks and lobster. Hammerheads swim between the pinnacle and arch.
Bird Island, Chatham Bay
Dove from Chatham Bay, southeast of Manuelita, this site provides a variety of marine life including Frog Fish, lobsters, morays, rays, White Tip Sharks and Hammerheads. There is even a cleaning station.
Dirty Rock
A large island with schools of Marble Rays and Hammerheads.
Lone Stone
Schooling Marble Rays and Mobula Rays.
Manuelita
The northeast corner has asheer wall. Lots of White Tips, Marble Rays and schools of Creoles.
Special Sightings
Whale Sharks, mating Eagle Rays, Sail Fish, mating White Tip Sharks, False Killer Whales.
Ubing Rock, Wafer Bay
This 300’ rock begins at 20’ and drops to a 110’ sandy bottom. The southeast slope attracts schooling Hammerheads.
The Yacht Spec and Photos
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The Yacht
Built to Lloyd’s Registry and American Bureau of Shipping Standards including International Load Line Certificate, and all appropriate licenses for crew.
- Length: 110 ft.
- Beam: 24
- Passengers: 22
- Crew: 8
- Sat to Tues (10 Nights)
- Boarding: Varies by Charter
- Check out: Tuesday 7 am
The Okeanos Aggressor is registered with a Costa Rican flag and has been an Aggressor Fleet destination since 1988.
Staterooms
Room #2 Quad Stateroom
Rm Size: 14 x 6 feet |
Top Bunk:
Bottom Double:
Top Bunk:
Bottom Double: |
30 x 74 inches
53 x 74 inches
30 x 74 inches
53 x 74 inches |
Room #3 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 7 x 5 feet |
Top Bunk:
Bottom Bunk: |
30 x 74 inches
30 x 74 inches |
Room #4 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 7 x 5 feet |
Top Bunk:
Bottom Bunk: |
30 x 74 inches
30 x 74 inches |
Room #5 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 7 x 5 feet |
Top Bunk:
Bottom Bunk: |
30 x 74 inches
30 x 74 inches |
Room #6 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 7 x 5 feet |
Top Bunk:
Bottom Bunk: |
30 x 74 inches
30 x 74 inches |
Room #7 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 7 x 6 feet |
Top Bunk:
Double: |
30 x 74 inches
53 x 74 inches |
Room #8 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 7 x 5 feet |
Top Bunk:
Double: |
30 x 74 inches
53 x 74 inches |
Room #9 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 9 x 5 feet |
Top Bunk:
Double: |
30 x 74 inches
53 x 74 inches |
Room #10 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 10 x 5 feet |
Top Bunk:
Double: |
30 x 74 inches
53 x 74 inches |
Room #11 Deluxe Stateroom
Rm Size: 10 x 5 feet |
Top Bunk:
Double: |
32 x 77 inches
53 x 74 inches |
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Deluxe Stateroom
(#3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Staterooms #3-6 have 2 single beds (bunk-style).
Staterooms #7-11 have a lower double bed and single upper bed (bunk-style). |
Quad Stateroom (#2)
With two lower full-sized beds and two upper single beds (bunk-style), private head and shower, individual climate control, TV/DVD and hair dryer. |
| All with a private head and shower, closet, port window, individual climate control and hair dryer. |
Click to View Larger |
Meet the Crew
ALBERTO (BETO)
Our captain, nickname, Beto. Alberto has been working onboard since…..he does not even remember, He is a TDI dive instructor and an avid diver and u/w videographer. Most of the pictures on the captain logs are his. He loves taking pictures of all guests during the week and then we will show them to you while onboard. Beto is a happy character that loves the water, his job and being on the island.
ANIBAL MORALES
Anibal, althought his serious looks on this picture, has a constant smile on his face and you will always find him laughing and singing on his panga. He is 36 years old and is been working onboard for the past 10 years. He is a PADI Divemaster, panga driver and fearless Captain when Beto is off. Anibal loves diving and all the time he has off he spends with his wife and 8 years old kid who can’t wait to start diving. He lives in Barranca, Puntarebas, but he is originally from Nicaragua.
LUIS ORIAS
Luis , 38 years old, was born and raised in Barranca, Puntarenas. He has been working as a panga driver and as an engineer for the past 8 years on the Okeanos Aggressor. Luis has a 14 years old boy who he likes to spend most of his free time playing futbol with.
MIGUEL MARIN CAJINA
Miguel has been working on the sea for the last 10 years as an engineer and he recently joined us on the Okeanos Aggressor. He is Mimoso’s brother, our sister – Wind Dancer’s Captain. He actually lives in La Garita, Alajuela and since he was a kid he always had mechanics as his hobby. When not in the engine room, you will see him helping the dive deck crew members assisting you. When on the island, if you are interested in having a look at the engine room, he will be pleased to do so.
LEONIDAS MATARRITA (LEO)
Leo is the head chef onboard. He has the sweetest character ever, and he is always willing to please everybody with his different recipes. He cooks Costa Rican specials along with international food. If there is any specific diet or menu you would like to have onboard, please let us know and Leo will be more than happy to cook it for you. Leo is also from Puntarenas, and he loves to jog to be in shape. He has worked in different hotels all over Costa Rica and he has been in Okeanos Aggressor for the last 3 years.
XAVIER LOBO REYES
Xavier is 23 years old, and he is been working on the Okeanos Aggressor for the last 5 months. He is originally from Puntarenas in a place called Barranca. Xavier works as a panga driver onboard. He loves football, and every time he has a chance he tries to go to the island and have a short game with other crew members and guests.
DOUGLAS SEQUEIRA
Douglas is either the chef assistant, steward or the head chef onboard; depending on the shift. He has been working onboard for the last 9 years, and his ceviches: either mango or fish are something else! When onboard, if you have any special diet, or just anything you really like, go and talk to him, and he will be more than happy to cook it or prepare it for you.
OSAYUKI TULIO SAKATA
Everybody calls him Osa. Our waiter onboard is half Japanese – half Costa Rican, and he also lives in Puntarenas. With a very cheerful personality, he has been working in the hospitality business for a long time now, and he has recently joined the Okeanos Aggessor. He loves all water activities and loves going to the island for a little walk when he has some time between meals. Osa also works sometimes on our sister boat – Wind Dancer, so you might find him on either of them.
Charter Rates – Okeanos
| Cocos Island – Okeanos Aggressor |
Deluxe |
Quad |
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| January 8, 2013 – January 7, 2014 |
$4935 |
$4535 |
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| January 7, 2014 – January 6, 2015 |
$4935 |
$4535 |
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| January 10, 2015 – January 5, 2016 |
$4935 |
$4535 |
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Schedule – Okeanos
