Dive with oceanic mantas and vast hammerhead schools at Cocos Island, a remote UNESCO seamount over 500 km off Costa Rica. Reached on a 30-hour-plus liveaboard crossing, this uninhabited island is one of the planet's greatest big-animal dive sites, with mantas gliding through the blue alongside sharks and dolphins. Mantas are best from November to May, in the calmer, warmer season.
Dive with oceanic mantas and vast hammerhead schools at Cocos Island, a remote UNESCO seamount over 500 km off Costa Rica. Reached on a 30-hour-plus liveaboard crossing, this uninhabited island is one of the planet's greatest big-animal dive sites, with mantas gliding through the blue alongside sharks and dolphins. Mantas are best from November to May, in the calmer, warmer season.
Up to 75% sighting chance in Cocos Island (Costa Rica). Best months: January, December, February.
November to May in the warmer season, while the famous hammerhead schools peak in the rainy months from June to November.
Only by liveaboard, on a crossing of about 30 to 36 hours from Puntarenas; trips run 7 to 10 nights.
Liveaboard trips typically run about US$5,500 to over US$7,000 for 10 nights, all inclusive (2026 prices).
Yes, strong currents, surge and open ocean make Cocos an advanced destination.
