Mexico & Central America · Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Cocos Island & Pacific big animals.
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.
Best dive sites
- Bajo Alcyone (Cocos)
- Dirty Rock (Cocos)
- Bat Islands
- Caño Island
Best snorkeling spots
- Caño Island
What you may see underwater
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 — a Salty Reef Travel Concierge will match you with the right resort, operator, or liveaboard in Costa Rica and handle the details. Always free to you.
Available 24/7 · 727-240-2242 · Our travel concierge service is always free to you.
At a glance
- Region
- Mexico & Central America
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best season
- Jun–Nov (Cocos); Year-round mainland
- Water temp
- 78–84°F
- Visibility
- 40–100 ft
- Skill level
- Advanced
- Flight from US
- Direct
Newsletter
One dispatch a month, straight from the water.