• Island -

It is the largest uninhabited island in the world. It is 342 miles off the west coast of Costa Rica. It has lush green vegetation

• Visa -

Many countries will get 90 days on arrival. Check with your local Embassy

• Budget -

*Prices and information here is all for the 

Okeanis Aggressor I. Click here to go to their site

The Okeanis Aggressor II is a bit more expensive. There are other boats to look at. Click on the island icon and it will take you to a website with all of the boats. Some only come here part of the time. This boat comes here year round.

US$5,300 - $5,700 for 10 nights aboard includes all meals and snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, local beer and wine, air tanks weights and belts, transfers from San Jose.

NOT INCLUDED - Port and (park fees US$490) . Onboard services 13%

1 or 2 nights in San Jose.

US$30 Emergency Evacuation Plan

US$29 departure tax at airport.

Tip for the crew

Final Dinner

Non- Divers save US$200 off of the total price. Specials not included / Their Park Fees are reduced to US$350

There are charter prices for groups who want to book the whole boat out

• Population -

0 - 12 Park Rangers

• AKA -

Isla del Coco

• About -

This is a trip for advanced divers only.

It takes about 36 hours each way to get out there. The conditions can be difficult. And you have to live aboard the boat.

Due to the local conditions this is one of the world's most extraordinary dive sites where you will see big, rare and large numbers of marine life. If you look on the map it's not that far from the Galapagos Islands.

• Go -

It rains most days. December to April is considered the dry season although you will still get rain. Most of the year it's a bit of rain and then sunny equatorial skies. 

Visibility is best in the dry season up to 25 metres and currents aren't so strong.

Many divers prefer the wet season May to November when there is more chance of seeing hundreds of Hammerheads.

Visibility is best in Winter. Whale Sharks and Manta Rays are more frequently seen between June to November

• Airports -

Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) - 

has direct flights to 49 destinations in 17 countries including the Americas and Europe. If you are coming from outside these areas it would be easiest to link up with the major hubs in the USA and Europe.

Check here for flights

• Ferry -

The Okeanis Aggressor I - 

your home for 10 nights - 110 foot yacht with a spacious dive deck. 22 passengers in 10 cabins - 7 deluxe - 2 twin - 1 quad Staterooms. Each cabin has a private bathroom and storage space. Plenty of room inside and out to relax. Chaise lounges and deck chairs, bar and grill

• Stay -

In San Jose the Holiday Inn Escazu and Holiday Inn Express Forum are recommended and where you will get free transfers from

• Features -

The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

There is a high number of endemic plants and birds

• History -

First discovered in 1526. It was a favourite haunt for pirates back in the 1700 - 1900's. It was an important source of freshwater and wood for ship repairs. It was also somewhere they could hide their ill gotten gains and some believe there is billions of dollars worth of gold buried around the island.

Many people came back on treasure hunts but nobody found anything.

In 1869 the Costa Rican government organised one and although they didn't find anything they took possession of the island instead. Between 1872 and 1874 they ran a prison here.

FDR came fishing here

in the 1930's and a 110 pound sailfish he caught is hanging up in the White House.

Some Germans settled here for a while. They didn't stay long but the introduced species they brought did. Now these feral plants and animals are threatening the native ecosystem

· See -

27 Endemic fish species / over 270 total /

Whale Sharks / Hammerhead Sharks / Bull Sharks / Black and White Tip Reef Sharks / Eagle Rays / Manta Rays / Dolphins / Hawksbill Turtles / Octopus / Silky Sharks / Marble Rays / Tuna / Creole Fish / Green Turtles / Wahoo / Billfish

87 Bird species including brown and red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds and brown noddies

· Do -

Can do 24 dives on a 10 day trip

You can do different advanced courses while you are here

Short excursions on to the island are possible - there are rare birds and animals and magnificent waterfalls - You will need to register with the Park Ranger - there are trails you can take to get around the island

Night Dives are no longer offered after an incident a few years ago

· Highlights -

This could be the highlight of your diving career

The night sky on a clear moonless night

• Eat -

All inclusive - Looks good -

Click here to see a menu

Cooked breakfast + cereal and fruit / Buffet Lunch / Chef prepared dinner / plus snacks

International, Costa Rican and BBQ

Air-con restaurant / Vegetarian and Halal catered for

• Drink -

All the soft drink, Coffee, Tea, Drinking Water, Local Beer and Wine you can drink

Bring your own spirits (From home as they're expensive in Costa Rica)

• Sundowners -

On the Sun Deck

• Specialties -

The eco-system is largely untouched by humans meaning the creatures have no fear of us

• Tips -

The crew would like one at the end of the trip

Take some music and reading etc to amuse yourself

Take some sea sickness pills

Make sure your travel insurance has evacuation cover

Bring gloves to hang on to the rocks in the strong currents

• Famous -

Jacques Cousteau's most beautiful island in the world

One of the world's best live aboard dive destinations

Named by PADI as in the world's top 10 dive spots

The island was the setting for Jurassic Park and the opening shot of the helicopter flying to the island was shot here