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After an overnight journey of 375 miles in the Pacific Ocean, 21 lucky divers arrive at one of the most coveted dive destinations in the world, Cocos Island, Costa Rica. A week later, they return to civilization with memories of swimming with hundreds of hammerhead sharks, photographing graceful mantas and splashing in waterfalls on one of the world's largest uninhabited islands.

The 110-foot Okeanos Aggressor, which hosted a Dateline NBC crew filming a "Thrill Seeker" program, offers ten-day and nine-day dive adventures originating in Puntarenas, a small fishing village on the western coast of Costa Rica. After an overnight stay in San Jose, Costa Rica, Aggressor guest board a charter bus for a scenic, two-hour bus ride through Costa Rica's beautiful countryside before arriving at the Okeanos Aggressor port. Once on board, guests may unpack, relax and enjoy delicious dinner served by the on-board chef. The 36-hour journey to Cocos gives everyone a chance to prepare their gear and get to know one another; it also adds to excitement of what lies ahead.

Throughout the week of diving, you'll encounter a spectacular array of marine life large and small-most quite large! Many diver describe the diving at Cocos as "high-voltage" or "on-the-edge," and after drift dives at Alcyone or Big Dos Amigos with a few hundred hammerheads, thousands of horse-eye jacks and a manta or two, you may agree. Other frequently seen marine life includes dolphins, tuna, marble rays, eels, white tip sharks and silky sharks. Okeanos Aggressor divers have also been treated to spectacular whale shark encounters. Weather permitting, guests will be shuttled to the island for a hiking tour. The lush uninhabited island in covered with verdant jungles and countless waterfalls all waiting your exploration. You may want to capture some of the Cocos's underwater splendor on film with one of the on-board rental underwater cameras. There is a full line of rental camera equipment and dive gear available throughout the week, as well as certification and specialty courses including nitrox certification.

At the end of your exciting adventure, the Okeanos Aggressor returns to Puntarenas. Check-out is between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. On the day of departure, the crew will transport you and your luggage with the group to your hotel, or the airport in San Jose. Due to cooler water temperatures and strong currents, the diving conditions in Cocos may not be suitable for beginner divers.

The Vessel
Click on the vessel for larger picture
The Okeanos Aggressor, a former ocean-going private yacht, was built by Codecessa Ship Yard in Viareggio, Italy. The 110-foot all-steel vessel was rebuilt in 1984 by a ship yard in Jacksonville, Florida. Two years later, she became the first Aggressor Fleet franchise. In 1996, the Okeanos Aggressor underwent an extensive remodeling and renovation, and now this luxurious vessel provides 21 guests the ultimate comfort and space for cruising and diving. The Okeanos Aggressor departs weekly from the port town of Puntarenas, Costa Rica destined for dive sites along the "Isle of Coco." She can also accommodate any special requests or itineraries when the entire vessel is chartered for private groups. The Okeanos Aggressor was built to Lloyds standards and is approved by the Costa Rican Marine Surveyor Department as a Passenger Ship.

Nine well-appointed staterooms have both double and single berths to accommodate individuals or couples. One additional stateroom has three single berths. All cabins are fully carpeted, air-conditioned, and have a private bath with in-room vanity. Seven cabins are located on the lower level and three are on the upper level. A port window offers great views and plenty of natural light. Your cabin is just steps away from the main salon, dining room and dive deck.  The salon, located on the main level, is an attractively furnished area designed for comfort and relaxation. It features a complete entertainment center with TV, VCR, stereo with compact disc player, and a well stocked library of books and magazines. The dining area is separate from the main salon and has two large tables with chairs and a buffet counter. A built-in slide screen with 35mm projector is available for slide presentations. 

Exiting the salon and traveling toward the stern of the Okeanos Aggressor, guests enter the large dive deck. Each guest has his/her own dive station with locker for gear storage. The lockers are actually seats used for donning and removing gear. Air and nitrox tanks are conveniently locate don the back of locker, always hooked up and ready for diving. Divemasters will fill your tanks in the dive tenders and prepare your equipment for the next dive while you relax. A large, three-tier camera table, with low pressure air nozzles, charging stations, camera rinse tank and wet suit racks are located on this spacious deck. There is a dive briefing area for drawing dive site illustrations and giving site details, along with a head and two freshwater showers located on this deck. A large dive platform is located only inches from the water level and just a few steps from the dive deck. Most diving is done from the dive tenders, however, the platform is great for snorkeling between dives. An E-6 film processing lab is on board along with a full line of underwater camera rental equipment. Film, batteries, and an underwater video system are available on board. The photo pro is eager to give tips or a comprehensive course with specialty certification.

A wet bar is located on the upper level. This open air lounge is a great place for swapping stories about the day's diving and sightseeing. If you would like to catch some sun, this spacious vessel offers guests two sun areas. One is on the upper level near the wheel station and the other is on the top level. The view from the top level is astonishing.

Questions and Answers
1 .Where is Cocos Island?
Cocos Island is located 600 km (approximately 375 miles) off the western coast of Costa Rica, in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

2. What is included in the scuba charter?
Accommodations aboard the vessel, diving, compressed air tanks, weights and weight belts, transportation from the San Jose office to Puntarenas on day of arrival and departure, meals and snacks, non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages are include in the charter rate.

3. How many days is the charter and how many dives can I make?
The Okeanos Aggressor offers 9-day, Saturday to Monday, charters with 6 days of diving and 10-day, Tuesday to Friday, charters with 7 days of diving. Most guests make up to three dives a day.

4. When should I arrive in Costa Rica?
You should arrive in Costa Rica the day before your charter begins and plan on spending the night in San Jose.

5. Are there any taxes or fees not included in the charter price?
A $25US per person/PER DAY (CASH ONLY, no traveler's checks) Park Fee will be collected during your charter. The Costa Rican government implemented this charge to maintain Cocos Island and preserve its natural habitat. There is also a $10US per person/PER DAY Dive Tax. This fee covers one diver for the entire charter. A departure tax of $26 US per person will be collected upon your departure from San Jose. These fees are levied by the Costa Rican government and are subject to change, so please check with your travel agent before your trip.

6. Do I need a passport?
U.S. citizens are required to have a passport. Non-U.S. citizens should check with the appropriate consulate.

7. How do I meet the Okeanos Aggressor on the day of departure?
We recommend staying at the Amon Park Plaza Hotel near the Okeanos Aggressor office. Otherwise, you need to arrange to be at the Okeanos Aggressor office by 12:00 noon on the day of departure. From there, guests will be transported to the port town of Puntarenas (about two hours by bus) to board the boat.

8. Where does the Okeanos Aggressor dock?
The Okeanos Aggressor docks at the Muelle Coopeinpesa in Puntarenas.

9. What is unique to Cocos Island diving?
Lots of large pelagic animals, particularly the schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks. White tip reef sharks are also abundant, as are schools of tuna, jack and snapper. Whales sharks and dolphins are frequently sighted. 

10. What is the diving like around Cocos Island?
Diving around Cocos Island is more difficult due to its ruggedness and currents. Diving from the dinghies has advantages, but can be physically challenging for some.

11. What is the water temperature?
Will I need a wet suit? During the winter, water temperature ranges between 73 and 78F, while in the summer it warms up to 78 - 80F. A wet suit is highly recommended. A 1/8 inch suit with hood and booties is generally sufficient for most divers. 

12. Is there dinghy diving?
Yes, almost all dives are made from a dinghy. 

13. Is there night diving?
Night dives are scheduled at the discretion of the dive master since sharks are so plentiful in the area.

14. Are there any land tours?
Weather permitting, guests will be taken to the island for a hiking tour.

15. What type of topography can I expect to see in Cocos Island?
The island is volcanic in origin, and is therefore mountainous. Dense jungle covers the land. Numerous waterfalls, rivers and ponds are created by the regular rains.

16. What is the best time of year for diving?
May through October is generally considered prime diving, but conditions are generally very good all year round. 

17. When is the rainy season?
The rainy season is from May through November. Cocos Island supports a true tropical rain forest and receives an abundance of rain, particularly around the mountain peaks. Overcast skies and frequent showers are common.

18. When is check out time on the vessel?
Check out is between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m on the morning of departure. The crew will transport you and your luggage back to San Jose, dropping you at either the airport or your hotel.

The Dive Sites

Bird Island, 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. 

Manuelita: The northeast corner has a sheer wall. Lots of White Tips, Marble Rays and schools of Creoles. Ubing Rock, Wafer Bay: This 300' rock begins at 20' and drops to a 110' sandy bottom. The southeast slope attracts schooling Hammerheads.

Dirty Rock: A large island with schools of Marble Rays and Hammerheads.

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, Big eye Jacks and lobster. Hammerheads swim between the pinnacle and arch.

Lone Stone: Schooling Marble Rays and Mobula Rays.

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.

Dive sites are selected by the Captain and may vary due to weather conditions and logistics

This site was created by Mark Potter & Matthew Herson of MASS Diving.
Please direct any questions and comments about this site to: mark@massdiving.com