Costa Rica has long been dedicated to eco-tourism and conservation, and this sense of stewardship extends from the land out to sea—far out to sea. About 36 hours by boat from the western Costa Rica coastline, you’ll find one of the most epic dive destinations in the world—Cocos Island. And when you mention liveaboards in Costa Rica, Cocos is what you really mean.
Uninhabited save for several national park rangers on rotating shifts and allegedly the inspiration behind Treasure Island and Jurassic Park, Cocos may not be home to any dinosaurs, but the population and diversity of sharks here offers thrills better than any fictionalized story. Expect hammerheads, tiger sharks, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, manta rays—the list goes on.
To dive Cocos Island, you’ll have to choose one of several liveaboards, as they’re the only way to access this spectacular marine environment. One thing to note—the diving here is quite advanced due to frequently raging currents and depth, with dive sites routinely starting at 100 feet (30 m).
So let’s dive in to our reviews of the top four liveaboards in Costa Rica.
Conditions in Cocos Island allow for year-round diving. Water temperatures commonly range from 75 to 82 F (23 to 28 C), however, thermoclines occur at many sites and can cause greater fluctuations. Many divers prefer to go during the rainy season, from June through December because nutrient upswells at this time attract manta rays and whale sharks.
Sea Hunter
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Cocos Island is synonymous with adventure and astounding marine life. Located over 310 miles (500 km) off the western Costa Rican coast in the Pacific, its vibe is “Treasure Island” meets “Jurassic Park,” and it’s by far the most famous location for diving in Costa Rica. The journey to Cocos Island from the mainland takes over 30 hours, magnifying its…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Dive site diversity and marine life
- Spaciousness onboard
- Submarine available for extra cost
Things we don’t like:
- Land and submarine excursions result in missed dives
- Required park and other fees not included
- Limited adult beverages included
- No WiFi
Nautilus Explorer
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The flagship boat of the Nautilus fleet, the Nautilus Explorer really does do it all. Humpback whales, manta rays, whale sharks, and huge schools of fish in Socorro Island; mobulas, orcas, and whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez; and, from August to September each year, the liveaboard visits legendary Cocos Island, 30-plus hours off the coast of Costa Rica.…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Diving with lots of pelagics
- Steel hulled ship certified to the same safety standards as international cruise ships
- Caters to technical and rebreather divers
- WiFi onboard for a surcharge
Things we don’t like:
- Nitrox is available but not included
- Some cabins have a sink between the beds
- Port fee not included ($35 per person)
Where to book Nautilus Explorer:
Okeanos Aggressor II
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Costa Rica conjures up images of tropical forests and cerulean waters, but the real treasure for scuba divers lies 36 hours offshore at Cocos Island, uninhabited save for several national park rangers on rotating shifts. Allegedly the inspiration behind Treasure Island and Jurassic Park, Cocos may not be home to any dinosaurs, but the population and diversity of sharks here…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Secluded location with abundant marine life
- Hammock on the sun deck
- Unlimited beer and wine included
Things we don’t like:
- High price tag for amenities included
- 36-hour journey to/from Cocos can be choppy
- Visibility under 80 feet (24 m) during rainy season
Where to book Okeanos Aggressor II:
Cocos Island Aggressor
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If scuba diving in Costa Rica isn’t on your bucket list, you need to amend the list. Cocos Island is located over 310 miles (500 km) off the Costa Rican coast, and supposedly inspired Treasure Island and Jurassic Park. The real treasure here is the natural beauty above and below the surface, and the prehistoric animals you’ll see are of…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Welcome cocktails
- New boat launched in 2022
- Excursions to Cocos Island always offered if conditions are safe
- Hot tub on board
Things we don’t like:
- Journey to/from Cocos can be choppy
- Steep price tag
- No night dives
- Boat may be showing some wear and tear already
Where to book Cocos Island Aggressor:
Liveaboards in Costa Rica
When it comes to choosing a liveaboard, all offer similar week-long itineraries. You’ll typically fly into San Jose the night before your departure and, if you’re staying at a partner hotel, you’ll be picked up the next morning by a liveaboard representative for the trip out to the coast.
The ride out to Cocos takes about 36 hours, as mentioned, so if you’re prone to seasickness, plan accordingly. Because of the remote location, it’s also wise to pack any extras you think you may need—an extra mask, a few o-rings, an extra swimsuit or two.
Once you arrive at Cocos, make sure to follow any and all instructions given by your dive guides or liveaboard crew. Most boats will fit you with an EPIRB if you’re swept away by a current, but you should also have—and know how to use—your own SMB in case you become separated from the group.
That said, there’s no other place quite like Cocos Island and at least one trip to this magical island belongs atop everyone’s bucket list. You won’t go wrong with any of the four boats listed here, and you’re sure to find one that suits your budget and tastes.
Costa Rica is a fantastic choice for any diver, whether you’re diving from shore or you hop on one of the liveaboards in Costa Rica. There are countless islands to explore and each dive site is better than the next. Below are some of this eco-paradise’s best destinations to give you a glimpse of what a dive trip to Costa Rica will look like.
Located in the far north about 30 miles offshore from Guanacaste, you’ll find the Bat Islands—most well-known for thrilling dives with bull sharks. You’ll reach depths of 100 feet (30 m) at this dive site, called the Big Scare, where bull sharks can reach impressive lengths of up to 20 feet (7 m).
Because of the depth, sometimes murky water, potential currents and swell, and the location nearly an hour offshore, the Big Scare is only suitable for experienced divers. That said, it’s the only place in Costa Rica that you can dive with bull sharks, and it’s well worth the trip for qualified divers.
A little further south, just a few miles offshore of Guanacaste Province, you’ll find the Catalina Islands. These uninhabited islands offer a rich underwater environment, home to giant Pacific manta rays, mobulas, eagle rays, bat rays, and more. Huge schools of fish and vibrant coral growth on the volcanic substrate round out the offerings.
The jewel in the crown of Costa Rica diving, uninhabited Cocos Island sits 36 hours off the west coast. This lush island was supposedly the inspiration for Treasure Island, and it’s not hard to see why upon arrival, with green mountain peaks, crashing waterfalls, quiet coves, and not a soul in sight.
But the real treasure here is underwater, where you’ll find schooling hammerheads, tiger sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, silky sharks, and more. This destination is also best suited for experienced divers because of potentially strong currents, deep dive sites, and the isolated location.
A short boat ride from Drake Bay in the far southwest of Costa Rica, Cano Island is a great place to spot mantas, turtles, sharks, and a wide variety of smaller reef fish. Lucky divers may even see humpback whales, dolphins, and Bryde’s whales on the 45-minute boat ride from the coast.
Only a few minutes’ boat ride from the Guanacaste shore, the diving at Tortuga Island will especially appeal to the wreck-lovers out there. Sitting in depths of 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 m), wrecks like the Caroline Star, the Franklin Chang Diaz, and the Colonel Alfonso Monge wrecks will keep any diver busy for a few days.
What to know about Costa Rica
- Costa Rica is a tourist hotspot with various dive locations, premier among them is Cocos Island
- Getting to Costa Rica is easy via its major airport Juan Santamaría International Airport. This airport is situated close to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose. There is also another international airport in Liberia. Both are well connected to Europe and North and Central America.
- Most liveaboards can be accessed through the port of Puntarenas. It will take approximately three hours to drive from San Jose to the port.
- Many of these sites are UNESCO sites and some will require you to pay a fee. The currency most accepted in US dollars.
- The currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colon.
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