Two dives in the morning ( 8 AM and 11 AM ), one in the afternoon ( 3 PM ) and a night dive at 6 PM .
 After a dive briefing from our Divemasters on the mothership, our guests board the two skiffs that each accommodate up to nine divers plus Divemaster, who always dive with the group and the Skiff Driver. After a short ride, each of the skiffs will reach a different dive site that is switch ed on the following dive allowing the two groups to dive the same areas but at different times of the day.
On the way to or from the divesites it is very common to find exciting snorkeling opportunities with Pacific Mantas, Bottlenose Dolphins or even a Bait Ball that will keep the adrenaline brewing all day long.
Between the dives, as the tanks are being refill ed there is time for Sea Kayaking or to go back on the skiffs for a photo tour or land excursions.
The dive skiffs on-board Sea Hunter and Undersea Hunter are an asset worth mentioning. At times when a rubber inflatable would be crippl ed in the wind-blown vastness of the Pacific, these large, heavy-duty fiberglass dive cruisers provide the stability and safety that is essential at Cocos Island . We put nine or fewer divers in each skiff and move them safely and efficiently to diverse dive sites around the island.
 Each measuring twenty four feet in length and with over nine foot of beam, these boats are extremely stable in any sea conditions. Our skiffs are power ed by twin 90HP 4-cycle fumeless outboard motors. These modern engines provide the power and redundancy required to reach any of the remote dive sites within a safe radius of the mother ship. At the end of the dive, boarding is made via a solid and stable ladder.
These boats are equipped with integrated racks for scuba diving equipment, separate camera storage area, VHF radios, depth sounders and T-Roof, which offers shelter from the tropical elements to the crew and camera equipment. They further hold all the necessary safety equipment, oxygen first-aid kit, spare dive gear, and tools.
These extra large skiffs also serve as a dive platform throughout the duration of the trip. Personal dive gear is kept onboard the skiffs during the dive days. This eliminates the need to carry heavy scuba tanks back and forth and reduces wear and tear.
Several excursions on the island can be planned during our trips. Most popular is the visit to the isolated Ranger Station at Chatham Bay where pirates, whalers and yesteryear’s visitors left their ships names carves in stone on the numerous boulders along the beautiful sandy beach.
Other excellent options are walks to one of the beautiful waterfalls where, after a short hike through the impressive tropical jungle, you can take a treasured bath in one or several fresh water pools.
Also available, depending on weather, are guided tours of the trail linking Chatham and Wafer bays. This hike offers marvelous panoramas of Cocos shores and a rare glimpse of the Island ’s dense rain forest. One of Cocos endemic birds, the Cocos Finch is a common and curios companion along this trail. So unaccustomed to human presence, they can almost be touch ed .
For the serous hikers among us, a long 8 hours trek to Cerro Yglesias summit, the highest peak in Cocos, can be plan ed with prior arrangement and the permission of the national park rangers. A visit to the main park ranger installation at Wafer Bay and its adjacent stream and forest can be arranged when sea conditions permit a safe beach landing.
In between dives ask our Dive-Masters to launch one of our stable Ocean Kayaks for your enjoyment. Paddling along the Cocos shore offers a fantastic and relaxing experience during which hidden waterfalls and countless nesting sea birds will reveal themselves.
A Dolphin Rebreather has no electronic parts and no controls to operate underwater except for the valve that opens the Nitrox gas supply to the circuit, that's it! Everything is preset at the surface as you plan each dive with the appropriate Nitrox mix and the proper gas flow rate for the maximum operating depth that you intend to dive.
This basically means that you have to prepare your equipment carefully prior to your dive and stick to your plans. The preparation of your rebreather is crucial. We like to compare its importance to the skydiver who folds his or her own parachute before a high altitude dive. The technical diver has to learn new skills and adopt a professional attitude in the safe practice of "rebreather" diving.
Sample Schedule Cocos
& Malpelo
The sinister and forbidding Malpelo Island is
located 314 miles (506 Kilometers) off the coast of Buenaventura,
Colombia in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. A small Colombian Navy
garrison has been in place since 1986 and ten years later Malpelo
was recognized as a Colombian Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, with a
marine protected area of six miles around the island.
It is the peak of a large submarine volcanic ridge that stretches
for 150 miles, from northeast to southwest. The Malpelo ridge rises
from depths of 13,123 feet (4000 meters) to reveal itself as the
tiny, solitary rock of Malpelo.
Malpelo was once eight to ten times larger than its present size of
eight 8 square kilometers. The rocky outpost, known to many as “la
Roca” or the Rock, has three distinct peaks. The highest of which,
“El Cerro de La Mona”, stands at 1233 feet above sea level (376
meters).
The maritime weather has eroded the island forming steep cliffs and
sea caves along its threatening coastline. The north and south sides
of the island are decorated by 11 smaller satellite rocks, each with
its own appeal.
On July 12th 2006 the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary was declared
a Natural World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of the
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).The
decision was made by an unanimous vote of the 21 member countries of
the committee meeting in Lithuania. Malpelo and the Giant Panda
Sanctuary in China received this prestigious title from among 100
proposals presented to the committee.
The submarine environment surrounding Malpelo
is defined not only by its isolation but also by its location, which
is highly influenced by several diverse marine currents. This
phenomenon provides for a focus in the dispersion of marine fauna
throughout the Indo Pacific and Western Pacific.
Malpelo is home to an important coral formation
as well as a large variety and quantity of marine creatures. Of
special interest is the hammerhead shark with its awe-inspiring
schools reaching up to 300 hundred individuals. The two most
outstanding phenomena in Malpelo are the huge number of cluster and
free swimming moray eels and the enormous congregations of silky
sharks who often mix with hammerheads to form colossal shark
schools.
Other common sightings are the white tip shark,
Galapagos shark, giant schools of angel fish, Creole fish, jacks,
tuna, and occasionally a sail fish, whale shark and even Humpback
Whale.
Cocos
& Malpelo Itinerary
Arrival Day You must arrive at least one day prior
to the boat departure date. Upon arrival to San José , transfer to
your pre booked hotel and accommodation- overnight in hotel. The
evening before boat departure, an Undersea Hunter representative
will fax you to confirm your pick up time the next day. The evening
is at your leisure
Day 1
The following day, pick up from your hotel and transfer by bus to
Puntarenas where you will board the vessel. The pick-up is usually
fairly early for Malpelo trips. The drive takes about 2 1/2 hours,
and gives you a chance to view the lush forest and rich farmland of
the region.
Due to occasional low tides the boats may need
to depart from the pier earlier in the day. Should this occur, you
will be transferred by skiff to the vessel. When all passengers have
arrived on board, the vessel will take an approximately 40 hour
cruise out to Malpelo Island .
Day 2
A travel day. There will be time to arrange dive and camera gear as
well as enjoy the Pacific and the sunshine. Also, the group of
incredibly experienced divers provides plenty of stories to pass the
time. There are videos and the experience of the Captain and crew to
help you get excited for the diving...as if you need them. In
addition, you may want to take this time to take one of their
technical diving courses.
Days 3
to 5 Spent diving the sites around the perimeter of
Malpelo Island . Divers usually average three dives per day at
depths of 30-50 metres or more. This, of course, is what the whole
trip is about.
Day 6
Make the last 3 dives before continuing towards Cocos Island .
Day 7
Another travel day, the crossing to Cocos takes about 36 hours.
Days 8
to10 Time to continue the diving, as you explore the
pinnacles around the perimeter of Cocos Island . Divers usually
average three dives per day at depths of 60-100 feet or more.
Day 11
Make the last 3 dives before the cruise back to Costa Rica and
reality!
Day 12
All day to discuss the diving and to compare your adventures!
Day 13
Arrival to Puntarenas. Immediately after breakfast you will be
transported back to San Jose . We strongly recommend staying one
more night on land, before flying out, in case of any unforeseen
delays.
Notes This itinerary can change slightly if the
weather is not cooperative at Malpelo. Take note that water
temperatures can be considerably colder at Malpelo than at Cocos.
Land Arrangements
While you are in Costa Rica it is certainly worth the extra time to visit other aspects of the country that truly make it a natural wonderland. Active volcanoes, white water rafting, mountain biking, pristine jungles, coffee plantations, horseback riding, visits to craft centers and of course some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are among the activities and destinations available in the country. We would be happy to arrange one day tours or longer trips to more remote areas at your request.
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