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Mexico & Central America · Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Cocos Island & Pacific big animals.
5.0Salty Reef rating
Destination snapshot
Best time
Jun–Nov (Cocos); Year-round mainland
Water temp
78–84°F
Visibility
40–100 ft
Skill level
Advanced
Flight time (US)
Direct
Great for
Liveaboards · Big animals
Why visit
Cocos Island liveaboards for hammerhead schools; Caño & Bat Islands from the mainland.
Costa Rica offers Cocos Island liveaboards (36-hour crossing) for legendary hammerhead action, plus mainland dive hubs at Caño Island and the Bat Islands.
Best dive sites
- Bajo Alcyone (Cocos)
- Dirty Rock (Cocos)
- Bat Islands
- Caño Island
Best snorkeling spots
- Caño Island
What you may see underwater
HammerheadsBull SharksWhale SharksManta RaysSea TurtlesDolphinsSchools of FishTiger Sharks
Interesting fact
Cocos Island, 340 miles off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, is where scalloped hammerheads school by the hundreds — accessible only by liveaboard.
Who this destination is best for
- Advanced divers
- Adventurers
Frequently asked questions
- Cocos or the mainland coast?
- Cocos is a liveaboard-only trip for advanced divers chasing pelagics. The mainland (Bat Islands, Cano Island) is accessible from resorts.
- Best time for hammerheads?
- June–November at Cocos Island.
- Is it beginner-friendly?
- Not Cocos. Mainland dives are intermediate — plan on Advanced Open Water certification.
Ready to dive Costa Rica?
Tell us your dates and experience level — we'll match you with the right resort and operator, and handle the details.
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