coco island guam tour

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Cocos Island Resort

• P.O. Box 7174, Tamuning, GU, 96931
• Phone : (671) 646-2825
• Email: [email protected]

about Cocos Island Resort

• 401 Pale San Vitores Road Tumon, GU 96913
• 671.646.5278

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Islan Dåno’: Cocos Island

Barrier reef off Malesso’

Located approximately 1.6 km southwest of Guam lies an uninhabited barrier island called Cocos Island, or Islan Dåno’ in CHamoru. Cocos Island is a 33.6-hectare  atoll-like narrow island that spans a length of 1.93 km and a width of 0.15 km. The Island is situated within the barrier reef of Guam’s southwestern village of Malesso’/Merizo , making it part of the village’s municipality. Additionally, Cocos Island separates the coral atoll of Cocos Lagoon from the open ocean in the south (Figure 1 and 2).

There are three different types of natural habitat on the Island: beach strand, strand forest, and shoreline, and all have been colonized by different communities of plants and animals. Small beach strands are found along the shorelines of the Island, with larger beach patches found at the northern tip facing the lagoon. The soil of the Island is called Shioya loamy sand, which is a deep and very dry soil. Strand forest stretches across the entirety of the island, with vegetation mainly comprised of Casuarina forest, Pemphis and Scaevola scrub, and mixed strand forest (Figure 3). The island is home to various breeding populations of native wildlife species that include the endangered Såli (Micronesian starling), native lizards, and seabirds.

One of Cocos Island’s main uses includes the operation of a privately-owned resort, Cocos Island Resort, which is located on the northeastern side of the island. The Resort, along with roughly 24.8 ha (two-thirds) of the island, are privately owned. The Resort primarily caters to tourists who board a ferry off a private pier in Malesso’, for day visits to Cocos Island (Figure 4). The Resort offers an array of activities ranging from aquatic recreation, such as scuba diving and parasailing, to terrestrial activities, such as dune buggy rides and native bird watching.

The remaining area of the Island, approximately 8.8 ha, is a park controlled by Guam Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), who are responsible for managing a different use of Cocos Island. Together with DPR, Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) and Forestry Division, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Cocos Island Resort (CIR), Cocos Island has been designated as a wildlife conservation area managed by these agencies. Collectively, these agencies seek to re-establish some of Guam’s native flora and fauna that are at risk for extinction due to predation by invasive species. Due to Cocos Island’s lack of invasive predators, such as the brown tree snake that is present on Guam, the Island presents a rare opportunity for conservation efforts.

Paving the way for conservation

In order for Cocos Island to be used as a conservation area, the Island first had to be cleaned up. From 1944 to 1963, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) used the southern part of Island as a LOng-RAnge Navigation station, or LORAN (Figure 5). That land was eventually returned to the Government of Guam and is now known as Dano Park. However, the USCG did not take everything with them. Some physical remains of the station can still be seen on the Island and chemicals have been found in the soil and water. To this day, traces of these chemicals can still be found in the lagoon.

In 1965, shortly after the official closure of the LORAN station, high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were found in the water of the lagoon and in the soil of the Island. PCBs were originally used in electrical equipment. They were eventually determined to be toxic and were banned by the US in 1979 due to reports of negative health impacts on humans and the environment. It is suspected that PCBs contaminated the soil and water through discarded equipment that was both buried on the Island and tossed into the lagoon (Figure 6). PCBs could have also entered into the water through runoff from the Island.

An investigation into the presence of contaminants on Cocos Island was conducted in 2005 and 2006 by the USCG. During the investigation, high levels of PCBs, lead, and cadmium were found. The USCG then contracted a local company to remove some remaining debris (Figure 7) as well as PCB contaminated soil for treatment. They also conducted regular tests of the soil and water. Soil removal was completed in 2008 but monitoring for the presence of chemicals continue.

With the completion of the soil removal, the Island was ready to be used as a conservation area. Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) worked with Cocos Island Resort (CIR) to begin preparing the Island for use as a conservation area. Preparation included island-wide control of vertebrate threats and habitat maintenance. The complete eradication of rats on the Island was accomplished in 2009. The hilitai , or monitor lizard, population continues to be controlled by DAWR staff.

The Island’s habitat is currently being maintained by the Forestry Division of Guam’s Department of Agriculture, who are tasked with not only planting native flora species, but also removing and maintaining invasive plant species. These efforts enhance the Island’s habitat and contributes to the success of the ko’ko’ , or Guam Rail, an endangered species (Figure 8).

Although the soil on the Island is no longer contaminated, the lagoon continues to hold high levels of the chemical contamination. In May 2015, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducted an assessment to determine if any contaminants could still be found in Cocos Lagoon. They took samples of both fish and sediment from the lagoon, and confirmed that PCBs are still present, along with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), which had not been previously detected on Cocos Island or in the Lagoon. DDT is a pesticide that was used to manage insect populations.

This chemical was banned in the US in 1972 because of the harmful effects it had on wildlife. The DDT found in the lagoon could have come from usage, or storage and disposal on the Island during the LORAN era. The official results of the NOAA assessment were presented to the public in 2016.

In 2006, Guam’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health and Social Services placed a fish consumption advisory on fish caught in Cocos Lagoon. PCBs remain in the environment for a long time and can easily be ingested by fish. The more PCBs fish ingest, the more harmful consuming fish can be to humans. NOAA’s 2016 assessment confirmed that this advisory should remain in place. This advisory only warns against eating fish from the lagoon; it does not affect any recreational activities such as swimming or snorkeling. Despite the advisory, whether or not they are aware of it, fishermen still fish in the lagoon.

Cocos for Ko’ko’

The ko’ko’ is a ground–nesting flightless bird endemic to the island of Guam. Guam Rails are territorial, monogamous birds that can nest year-round, with an average of two to four eggs per clutch and an average of six clutches per year. The newly hatched Guam Rails can reach sexual maturity as early as six months and can then be paired with a mate in captivity or left on its own in the wild. The population of the rails was at an estimated 80,000 in the 1960s but had almost completely disappeared from Guam by 1983 due to an introduced predator, the brown treesnake .

Twenty-one wild birds, caught between 1984 and 1986, were considered to be the last of the remaining wild population and were brought into captivity in 1987. They are considered the founders of the Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) captive breeding population (Haig et. al. 1990).

In September 2008, the Guam Department of Agriculture DAWR signed a Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) with the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), and Cocos Island Resort (CIR), to enhance the habitat of Cocos Island in order to introduce and establish a breeding population of ko’ko’ . The SHA allows CIR to maintain and improve Cocos Island in order to create a stable habitat for the endangered bird, and releases liability of incidental take on their property. The SHA allows for the release of the Guam Rails on the Government of Guam (GovGuam) DPR south side of the Island known as Dano Park, with CIR acknowledging the conservation efforts for the Guam Rail on the island.

The first introduction of the Guam Rails occurred on 16 November 2010, with 16 captive-bred individuals released into Dano Park, on Cocos Island. Prior to release, each bird was banded and fitted with a radio transmitter in order to monitor the survival success of the release. Each ko’ko’ was monitored daily for six weeks, then for five days a week until the radio transmitters failed (at approximately six months). After that, Dano Park continued to be monitored for incidental sightings of Guam Rails and their nests.

In August 2013, another release of 10 birds occurred on the government side of the Island. The birds were again banded and fitted with radio transmitters and monitored for survival. Once the transmitter failed, live traps were set to attempt to capture Cocos Island-born rails to band, tag, and release back into the wild for monitoring (Figure 9).

The number of birds sighted, the number of nests, eggs, and chicks, and nest failures were recorded and documented. Information from the transmitted birds helped to determine established territories of released birds, allowed for incidental sightings of birds and nests. Both releases have contributed to a wild Cocos Island-born population to develop. Initially, the Cocos Island-born rails established territories in Dano Park but due to the increase of population and the decrease of vacant territories, they have started nesting within CIR property limits.

Since 2013, nesting and banded-bird success have been monitored and recorded. From August 2013 through March 2017, 35 Cocos Island born rails have been captured, banded, and monitored for survival success rate and territory size.

Cocos Island currently has an estimated population of approximately 35 wild Guam Rails, and DAWR hopes they breed more and spread throughout the Island. Annual census reports are conducted by DAWR and annual estimations are included in their Annual Performance Reports. The control of the hilitai population, along with the maintenance of invasive and native plant species throughout the Island, have all contributed to the success of the current population of the endangered Guam Rail on Cocos Island.

About the authors

Dareon Rios was a biology graduate student at the University of Guam Marine Lab, and a graduate research assistant for Guam’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). She graduated in 2020. Her thesis was “The Population Genetic Structure of Acropora pulchra in Guam. “

Cristian “CJ” Cayanan was a part-time graduate student at the University of Guam Marine Lab. She was also a full-time Biologist for Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR).

Raina Taitingfong was a part-time graduate student at the University of Guam. She was also a full-time Biologist for Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR).

Editor’s note : These authors were beginning graduate students in 2018 taking a course in scientific writing at the University of Guam. This article was assigned to provide the student with practice in communicating science to non-scientists. The student chose the topic which is related either to their thesis project or work experience. The instructor in the course is Dr. Laurie Raymundo, a UOG Marine Laboratory faculty member.

For further reading

Haig, Susan M., Jonathan D. Ballou, and Scott R. Derrickson. “Management Options for Preserving Genetic Diversity: Reintroduction of Guam Rails to the Wild.” Conservation Biology 4, no. 3 (1990): 290-300.

US Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. An Analysis of Chemical Contaminants in Sediments and Fish from Cocos Lagoon, Guam . By S. Ian Hartwell, Dennis A. Apeti, Anthony S. Pait, Andrew L. Mason, and Char’mane Robinson. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 235. Silver Spring: NCCOS, 2017.

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The Guam Guide

Cocos island resort.

Located just 1.6 km/1 mi. off the southern tip of Guam, Cocos Island is an uninhabited getaway for residents and visitors alike. The island is 1,600 meters long but only between 200-300 meters wide. Transportation by ferry is available from Merizo Pier to Cocos Island Resort for $40 per adult and $20 per child. Residents should ask for the local rate and pay only $25 per adult. Admission includes a very basic cafeteria style lunch of salad, noodles, meat, and tea or water. Luxury dining, it ain’t.

Cocos Island Resort is a day resort with a pool, volleyball court, cafe, ice cream parlor, restaurant and bar, and water sports equipment rentals. Visitors to the resort can snorkel, dive, kayak, dolphin watch, parasail, jet ski and bike. Prices for activities range from $15 for a mini jungle tour to $100 for two adults to parasail.

The resort sells day packages that include meals and extras such as entry to SandCastle dinner show, Mandara Spa, and a beachside BBQ at Fiesta Resort.

All the water activities available on Cocos Island are also available on Guam’s mainland, but bird lovers will enjoy simply sunbathing under the trees on the north facing beach. There are far more birds on Cocos Island than on Guam’s mainland.

The “resort” is less of a resort and more of a remote beach — there are no rooms or overnight stays — minus any luxury amenities. Activities can be purchased and scheduled upon arrival. The resort operates like an amusement park on a ticket basis — meaning you can’t buy anything around the island with cash. Cocos Island Resort charges for everything, even towels must be rented for $3 each and beach chairs will set you back $10-20. Residents would do well to bring their own towels, snacks, snorkel gear, and floats which could save a family of four around $100.

Website:  www.cocos-island.jp

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Located just 1.6 km/1 mi. off the southern tip of Guam, Cocos Island is an uninhabited getaway for residents and visitors alike. The island is 1,600 meters long but only between 200-300 meters wide. Transportation by ferry is available from Merizo Pier to Cocos Island Resort for $40 per adult and $20 per child. Residents should ask for the local rate and pay only $25 per adult. Admission includes a very basic cafeteria style lunch of salad, noodles, meat, and tea or water. Luxury dining, it ain’t.

Cocos Island Resort is a day resort with a pool, volleyball court, cafe, ice cream parlor, restaurant and bar, and water sports equipment rentals. Visitors to the resort can snorkel, dive, kayak, dolphin watch, parasail, jet ski and bike. Prices for activities range from $15 for a mini jungle tour to $100 for two adults to parasail.

The resort sells day packages that include meals and extras such as entry to SandCastle dinner show, Mandara Spa, and a beachside BBQ at Fiesta Resort. All the water activities available on Cocos Island are also available on Guam’s mainland, but bird lovers will enjoy simply sunbathing under the trees on the north facing beach. There are far more birds on Cocos Island than on Guam’s mainland.

The “resort” is less of a resort and more of a remote beach — there are no rooms or overnight stays — minus any luxury amenities. Activities can be purchased and scheduled upon arrival. The resort operates like an amusement park on a ticket basis — meaning you can’t buy anything around the island with cash. Cocos Island Resort charges for everything, even towels must be rented for $3 each and beach chairs will set you back $10-20. Residents would do well to bring their own towels, snacks, snorkel gear, and floats which could save a family of four around $100.

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Comments 14

August 31, 2014 at 10:15 pm

I feel like it could be SO much more! Can we make it a campground? I would LOVE to bring my tent and camp there. Can you imagine the stars!

September 1, 2014 at 10:13 am

All you have to do is join the Boy Scouts of Guam because they were camping on Cocos Island when I was there! You might contact them to see how they got permission for that. It would be beautiful!

September 13, 2014 at 9:11 pm

Cocos Island is a favorite place of mine to go to. although is very different from the way it was in the 1980’s when there are 1500 or more tourists each day, there were cottages you could stay overnight, and beaches were more untouched and natural. Marine pollution has reduced the live coral and fish you can see if you are snorkeling. In that period, Thirty years ago, on a trip away from Guam, I met a New Zealander who had been there and he described it as a piece of “heaven on earth”. I felt very proud being from Guam. Cocos island is still a beautiful place. Last time I was there, I found a hammock between two trees, and enjoyed a nap. The wildlife is wonderful, with many more birds visible than anywhere on Guam.

November 5, 2014 at 7:31 pm

That sounds awesome. I would love to stay there overnight. Too bad they haven’t redeveloped that industry.

January 15, 2017 at 6:45 pm

I have never actually heard of Cocos Island until I read your blog post about it. Your photos are stunning! The activities sound like so much fun and it sounds like a lovely place to visit! Thanks for sharing!!

January 15, 2017 at 8:29 pm

Your pictures of Cocos Island are so colourful. A real paradise island by the looks of things. My dad was a merchant seaman and used to tell me stories about the pacific islands – Guam and New Caledonia, were his favourites; we’re Scottish and New Caledonia is ‘New Scotland’. He told me that his ship had to drop anchor at New Caledonia (back in the 1950’s) because a big storm was forecast. The crew were allowed on land and my dad couldn’t believe that the locals spoke French in New Scotland. He loved it though; Guam too.

January 15, 2017 at 10:44 pm

As always, love your pics. The beach looks pristine. And the views are just amazing. Sounds like a perfect destination to unwind.

January 16, 2017 at 9:48 am

Cocos Island looks like a beautiful place! It must be an amazing spot to bird watch. I guess once I’ve been to all the US states, I’ll need to visit all the territories and finally visit Guam.

January 16, 2017 at 1:34 pm

Cocos Island looks like paradise! We were just in the Belize Cayes over the holidays and it reminds me of Caye Caulker. Would love to visit Guam one day, just wish it were closer to home!

January 16, 2017 at 5:31 pm

Wow those photos are superb. I can almost hear the crystal clear water lapping at the shore. I would love to go kayaking there.

January 17, 2017 at 5:51 am

Looks like an amazing place to visit. Thanks for the tip on the additional costs. I don’t usually do resort style things so this cost would have caught me out!

January 17, 2017 at 4:13 pm

It looks like paradise to me- I love the idea of the water sports – especially the paragliding and the jungle looks quite dense and great to go exploring in. Thanks for. the tips bout bringing your own towels and lunch! Always good to save a bit of money!

January 1, 2018 at 12:53 pm

The indigenous name of the island is Dåno’.

December 12, 2018 at 6:19 pm

Im gonna leave a honest no sugar coated review….the place is completely ruin down and away below expectations like much of guam. Its potential is there but guam doesnt bother to make it what it could be. Examples of it being run down the sign for coco island isnt even in tack most the letters have fallen off. The pool is broken and unuseable. They have a dun buggy ride that the pics look cool but when your actual dun buggy shows up its a rusted death trap that looks like its gonna fall apart the moment you start moving i feared putting my family in them. The package includes a meal when you visit which looks like your old elementary school cafeteria lady made which isnt even fair to say about her because she was actually proply a better cook then them. The food saftey score they got was a C. The extra drinks like water and soda and snacks are way over priced you would think you were at Disneyland or something looking at the prices. The only positive thing i think i could say about the whole experience is that it was the best parasailing locations on island. If your only going for the beach then stay way from the run down tourist trap there are better beachs on the island of guam and this place is just not worth your money you will be disappointed

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Cocos Island Diving

Scuba diving in cocos island, Costa Rica

Cocos island diving highlights.

Cocos Island is one of the world's best scuba diving destinations for diving with big animals . Schooling hammerhead sharks is what the Cocos Island diving scene is most famous for, but you can find many other shark and ray species, including white tip reef sharks, silky sharks, the occasional whale sharks, manta rays and marble rays.

Cocos is also home to 27 endemic fish species including the red-lipped batfish , that are also commonly found in the Galapagos. Divers can also see large schools of jacks and tuna, Creole fish, green turtles, and octopus, and the list goes on... 

Interested in Cocos Island?  View the  live availability of some of the best liveaboards in Cocos Island  and book online at the best price or check out our sidebar for specials and workshops there! 

Read why Cocos is one of the best shark diving destinations in the world.

Marine Life & Environment - Diving Conditions

How to Get There  -  How to Dive Cocos Island  -  Best Time to Dive

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Intro to Cocos Island

Belongong to Costa Rica, Cocos Island is the mecca for divers looking for big animals, open ocean, and advanced diving. Howard Hall's film " Island of the Sharks " was filmed here, and sharks are the main attraction. Cocos Island is not a place with pretty corals or reefs. It is a gorgeous, uninhabited island, approximately 5 x 2 miles (8 x 3 km) in size. The bottom is a sloping rocky substrate without a lot of colors.

Find out about other places to scuba dive in Costa Rica .

What you do get with Cocos Island diving is amazing marine life - prolific shark populations including reef whitetip and scalloped hammerheads, plus a chance of many other species. There is also great schooling fish action, and a good chance of seeing true pelagics like wahoo, tuna, and even billfish. If you are comfortable with deep (100ft) nitrox diving in open oceans, and the possibility of swell, strong currents and low vis, Cocos Island can be the apex dive trip of your dive career. It is not a place for non-divers.

Interested in pretty coral reefs?  Scuba diving in the Philippines  is a great option.

Cocos Island is quite a beautiful island to look at topside, and short excursions to the island are possible, but you are on the boat almost all of the time. The island is lush and green with rainforest and waterfalls. Malpelo Island is another destination that Cocos liveaboards sometimes visit during the same trip. It is not that attractive and you can not go ashore.  

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Diving Information 

cocos island diving with Hammerhead sharks 

Hammerhead sharks are drawn to Cocos Island to be cleaned by King angelfish, butterflyfish and other small fish. These islands are basically giant cleaning stations.

Other marine life in cocos island

Scuba diving in Cocos Island is always exciting, with dozens of white-tip sharks  usually seen on every dive, at any depth, cruising around the rocks. Enormous schools of big-eyed jacks, barracuda, snappers and grunts are seen on many dives, and the size of these schools must be seen in person to appreciate.

Marble rays are very frequently seen in groups of 5-20, feeding on the bottom at 100ft. Marble rays are easy to approach and are always cruising around like they are on parade.

Whale sharks occasionally pass through, and there are often a couple of sightings on a trip. Large tuna, mantas, silky and silvertip sharks are often seen as are eagle rays. Orcas, tiger sharks, dolphins, wahoo, and sailfish are also seen but not on every trip.

Dolphins and tiger sharks are quite frequently seen, up close. Divers have seen dolphins hunting jacks. Galapagos sharks, which can be aggressive, are not as common but do sometimes appear.  

cocos island Diving Conditions

• Water Temperatures: In June/July, the water is sometimes 81 degrees at all depths. It stays from 80-82 during the summer. The water can get much colder, down in the lower 70s in the winter. Thermoclines are common, and deep down can get into the 60s.
• Visibility: In June, July the visibility was 50-70ft. Visibility can be variable but 30-50ft is the norm, with even better visibility from Jan - May.
• Depth Range: 30 – 131 feet (10 – 40m)

Typical Cocos Island scuba Dive

On a typical scuba dive at Cocos Island, you drop down as a group to a depth of 100ft, spread out and find a rock to hide behind. You then look for a cleaning station for hammerhead sharks, which is often a larger rock with many angelfish and butterflyfish around it. Hammerhead sharks are easily spooked by erratic divers' flailing limbs and exhaust bubbles. Attempting to approach these sharks usually only leads to their quick retreat. In order to get a chance at a close approach, enabling opportunities for good photographs, quickly and carefully locating a suitable rock to hide behind and controlling your buoyancy and breathing is essential.

Divers are advised to become "blue" divers; (holding your breath when the sharks approach). By following the divemaster's directions, calming down, being patient you will greatly improve your chances of close passes and prolonged encounters.

3 dives a day are the norm at Cocos Island, with occasional night dives. On several days a night dive will be offered with white-tipped reef sharks. Divers' lights illuminating the fish causes a feeding frenzy with the sharks. Any fish or turtle illuminated by a dive light will be quickly assassinated by several sharks, and because of this, some divers may not enjoy this dive or choose not to do it. On a remote trip like this, you need to pay attention to your depth & time, and follow the divemaster's instructions carefully, and double check your surface marker buoy at the beginning of each dive.

Travel Information 

How to get to cocos island.

Liveaboards depart from Puntarenas, Costa Rica, a two hour bus transfer from San Jose, Costa Rica. Travel time is approximately 40 hours to Cocos Island, 43 hours to Malpelo, and 40 hours from Cocos to Malpelo. At certain times of the year the crossing can be very rough with big swells and seasick passengers.  

How to scuba Dive Cocos Island

The only way to get to the island is via liveaboard dive boats. Most liveaboards offer 10-day trips, with 7 days of diving and 3 dives a day.  

Best Time to scuba Dive Cocos Island 

Scuba diving Cocos Island can be done in both rainy season and dry season. If you visit the islands in June/July, you may have a chance of having both big animal encounters and calm seas. The dry season is Dec - May, which can bring silky sharks, dolphins and mobulas, calmer waters and smoother crossings. The rainy season is June - Nov; and crossings can be a little rough, there's a lot of rain, but Hammerhead sharks are in larger numbers. That said, you will usually see good numbers of hammerheads throughout the year. May - Aug are probably the best months to go, but sightings/conditions can be highly variable. Note that hammerhead sharks sometimes go deep during an "El Nino" year.

Topside & Non-Diving Activities

Costa Rica is one of the top nature destinations in the world. There are excellent opportunities to see monkeys, toucans, brilliantly colored tree frogs, parrots, sloths, and many more birds and animals. The country is small, easy to travel around, and relatively safe. Make sure you know what to pack for Costa Rica so you've got everything you need to enjoy every minute of your trip without having to worry where to find it when you're there! We highly recommend some time exploring the county either before or after your Cocos trip. There are not many non-diving activities at Cocos Island itself.

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Other Useful Information 

Practical information.

• Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
• Language: The official language is Spanish, but English is widely spoken within tourism-related areas
• Main Airport Code: SJO
• Time Zone: UTC-6
• Electricity: 120V / 60Hertz

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Reviews (3)

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Cocos is scalloped hammerhead central. If you want to get close to hammerheads daily, and see a wall of hammerhead sharks, there are not many places that can compare than Cocos. Expect to also see massive schools of Jacks, lots of marbled rays, Galapagos sharks, silvertip sharks, silky sharks and white tip reef sharks. Making an occasional appearance are also tiger sharks, whale sharks and mantas. leave your macro lens at home. The best night dive in the world can also be found in Cocos where you see hundreds of whitetips hunting for food and getting into a feeding frenzy. There is no need for baited shark dives. The island itself is a beauty. You will pass by numerous waterfalls on your way to the dive sites. A visit to to the ranger station and a hike up to a viewpoint is also a must do on Cocos Island. A dive trip to Cocos is an adventure of a lifetime and well worth the 36 hour crossing from Puntarenas on mainland Costa Rica.

Cocos Island is my favorite dive destination - I have only had other trips come in second or third but never ahead of this one! We dove with the Undersea Hunter group and they are excellent on all levels. They have three boats for their live aboard operations; The Sea Hunter, Undersea Hunter and the Argo. We stayed on the Undersea Hunter which is the smallest boat and therefore takes a smaller group of people which I prefer. The Argo is the more luxurious vessel and is a very beautiful if you don't mind parting with the extra money. There is also a deep sea submersible that sometimes goes out on the Sea Hunter if there are guests that want the experience of a deeper dive.

Every dive site we went to had something spectacular to see. Besides large schools of hammerheads at sites like Alcyone, we saw silky and galapagos sharks. An added adventure is night diving with schools of white tips on the hunt. There is no end to what you can see at sites like Manuelita (outside) because the currents bring in all sort of pelagic life; several species of rays, whale sharks and tiger sharks. Turtles, sharks and rays continuously circle in the shallows looking for the cleaner fish and it's a treat to watch all the activities. It's amazing what can swim by on an open water drift. We had dolphins, sharks and rays pass us on an early morning safety stop.

Then there are the fish! Not everyday fish either! Cocos is a place where you can see the oddball batfish in relatively shallow water. I found the always busy leather bass fun to watch and photograph. You will also see very large schools of jacks and large predatory fish that the sharks follow in search of food.

The crew on the boat are the best and so is the food. The cabins were comfortable and there were plenty of places to relax on the boat. You will want for nothing on the Undersea Hunter boats!

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• Cocos Island Dive Expeditions

The Research

Dive operator, schedule & pricing, dive requirements, trip reviews, a 10-day liveaboard adventure to experience, view, and photograph the incredible marine biodiversity of cocos island, as well as participate in crucial shark and sea turtle migration research..

To book your adventure, select a date listed below and enter your information.

If you have any questions about our dive expeditions, Trip Leader Todd Steiner is happy to answer them. Todd can be reached at [email protected] or (415) 488-7652.

Upcoming Expeditions:

Pricing includes:.

• Ground transportation
• An 11-day/10-night cruise
• Meals and non-alcoholic drinks
• Divemaster service
• Seven full days of action-packed diving with three dives per day
• Nitrox fills, tanks and weights

Not Included:

• Transportation to Costa Rica
• Hotel in Costa Rica
• Lunch on Day 1
• Additional equipment you might need, not included in trip cost

Payment Procedure

A deposit of $700 is required in order to secure your reservation. Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of this deposit. We require payment of the remaining balance 60 days prior to your trip departure date. National park fees and all additional land tour arrangements are payable with the final balance.

Turtle Island Restoration Network is able to accept payment plans for upcoming expeditions. For more information on payment plans, please email [email protected] .

Located 530 kilometers southwest of Costa Rica’s mainland, Cocos Island National Park and World Heritage site is known worldwide as an ocean haven for spectacular sharks, rare sea turtles, whales and abundant marine wildlife. It is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest, and is home to large populations of scalloped hammerhead sharks, white tip reef sharks, and a number of endemic fish that occur nowhere else on the planet.

In the underwater world that surround Cocos Island, hammerheads are easily viewed at close range at “cleaning stations,” and inquisitive green sea turtles commonly approach our dive teams, offering fantastic photographic opportunities and more. Other regularly observed species include Galapagos sharks, black tip sharks, silky sharks, marbled rays, eagle rays and bottlenose dolphins. Whale sharks, the special treat of any diving expedition, are also occasionally observed. Endless schools of jacks also swarm the island.

In 1994, Jacques Cousteau described the volcanic park as “the most beautiful island in the world.” Cocos Island is said to have been the inspiration for works such as “Treasure Island” and “Jurassic Park” and it was recently named one of the best places to dive with sharks by CNN .

Led by Turtle Island Restoration Network Founder and Director Todd Steiner, biologist and respected conservation leader, expedition participants will join three fantastic dives each day, enhanced through work with Turtle Island biologists to study sea turtles and sharks, diving among schooling hammerheads, several species of sea turtles, and schools of thousands of fish as they support conservation efforts directly at the site.

Most of the action is at 60-90 feet (18-27 meters), and most dives are between 60-130 feet (18-40 meters). The average temperature is 79°F to 84°F (26°C to 29°C), although it can be a few degrees lower under the occasional thermocline.

Dive participants will have the exclusive opportunity to assist Turtle Island Restoration Network with various levels of research depending on experience and specific goals of each research expedition that may include:

• Retrieving, maintaining, and re-deploying acoustic receivers
• Censusing sharks and rays
• Providing photos for research and conservation work
• Photo-documenting species and activities

Turtle Island Restoration Network has been studying and tracking sharks and turtles at Cocos Island for almost a decade. In that time, we have seen the threats to the Park’s unique biodiversity in the form of continued illegal fishing, but also an increase in the awareness of the need to protect the marine biodiversity of this World Heritage Site. Research conducted on Cocos Island Dive Expeditions for the past 10 years has set the basis for better protections at Cocos Island and for a protected swimway to save sharks, sea turtles, and other migratory animals as they swim throughout the region.

*Current regulations of Cocos Island National Park only allow permitted scientific researchers to tag sharks, but participants will be able to observe this activity. If you scientific credentials and are experienced with the use of pole spears or spear guns, it is sometime possible to have you added to the permit. Please let us know if you are experienced and interested well in advance of the expedition.

The expedition will be supported by the experienced and well-known dive company Undersea Hunter Group , which has been operating expeditions to Cocos Island since 1990 or Aggressor Adventures . The UnderSea Hunter Group is committed to top-notch dive experiences, vessels and service, and has operated expeditions for National Geographic, Sylvia Earle, and many other world-renowned ocean explorers and conservationists. Click here to read about Undersea Hunter’s commitment to safety. Aggressor Adventures operates a fleet of dive vessels at various locales since 1984.

Participants will be divided into two dive groups which will each be under the supervision of an experienced Divemaster/Rescue Diver. Every evening, participants can enjoy engaging conservation lectures and socializing with fellow ocean lovers.

Dive participants will spend ten days aboard UnderSea Hunter’s newest vessel, the MV Argo , a beautiful 130-foot live-aboard dive vessel for up to 18 passengers and a crew of 14, where a comfortable and stylish lounge, dining area, and sun deck comprise the social areas. A well-equipped galley enables the ship’s chefs to prepare fresh, international level, four-star cuisine. Three, powerful, fumeless 24-foot skiffs serve as tender-boats.

The Argo sometimes carries a three-person submersible that may be available (at additional cost) for participants who wish to explore deep depths. To see amazing 360 degree views of Cocos Island, the Undersea Hunter vessel and underwater views from the DeepSea submersible, click here .

The following is a sample trip itinerary and is subject to change.

Arrival Day: Dive participants must arrive at least one day prior to the boat departure date. Upon arrival to San José, we can have transportation waiting for you for the cost of $10-20 or you can take a taxi to your hotel. There are always taxis available at the airport, and minivans for those of you who carry a lot of gear. We can also recommend and arrange accommodations for hotels in San José. Please note that we do not pick up from all San José hotels.  

The evening before boat departure, if not before, we will confirm your pick-up time the next day. The evening is at your leisure. Air transport, airport transfers, hotel nights and meals before and after the cruise are not included in the charter.  

Day 1 : The following day, generally between 8am and 1pm, we will pick dive participants up from certain hotels and transfer everybody by bus to Puntarenas where you will board the vessel. The drive takes about 2.5 hours, and gives you a chance to view the lush forest and rich farmland of the region.  

Day 2 : A travel day. There will be time to arrange dive gear and camera gear as well as enjoy the Pacific and the sunshine. In addition, the group of incredibly experienced divers can provide 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 take this time to take one of our technical diving courses, at no additional cost to you.  

Days 3 – 8 : The next days are spent diving the pinnacles around the perimeter of Cocos Island. Divers usually average three dives per day at depths of 60-100 feet or more. Participants will have an opportunity to help tag sharks, deploy receivers and record data during dives. Seminars and talks are provided after dinners by Turtle Island Restoration Network staff.

Day 9 : Enjoy the last three dives of the trip before cruising back to Costa Rica (and reality).

Day 10 : A travel day to discuss the diving and to compare your adventures with fellow participants.

Day 11 : Arrival at Puntarenas. Immediately after breakfast, you will be transported back to San José. We strongly recommend staying one more night on land before flying out, in case of any unforeseen delays.

The minimum required level of certification to dive at Cocos is Open Water. Divers must be experienced divers, with PADI or NAUI membership, and must have personal DAN insurance. Nitrox is available for certified divers, and certification is also available on the vessel. For more information about required certifications, please contact our trip leader Todd Steiner at [email protected] .

“ What an adventure! This is my second time to Cocos Island and this time even more amazing that the first time. Being involved with Ocean Conservation and having an opportunity to assist with the shark and turtle tagging was pure joy. I came on this trip not knowing anyone, and leaving with lifetime friends, beautiful pictures, and stories that I will be sharing back home. Janet Thomas United States

“ The experience on the DeepSee was an eye opening trip! It is a unforgettable memory through our life. Felipe our pilot is very experienced, funny and knowledgeable; thus we enjoyed the ‘ride’ with him a lot. Especially the gliding mobula rays that played with us more than 10 minutes. DeepSee Rocks! Pinky & Claus Wiesloch Germany

“ Great fun to join the PRETOMA & TIRN expedition for yet another trip. Fantastic as always. Wildlife underwater is great. Crew above water is equally wonderful. Mike and Nonie Silver United States

“ It was splendid!! I felt very happy, and very safe. Great dive masters. Everything is thought through very carefully on this boat to make guests comfortable. Extremely efficient and hard working crew. Would definitely recommend this live aboard. Bill Whitmarsh United States

“ First class operation, as always!! The crew was outstanding – very professional, helpful and fun. This was the vacation of a lifetime, and I will definitely be coming back again next year. Deborah Kearney United States

“ Another fantastic trip on the Argo – my third on the boat and fifth with the UnderSea Hunter family. The vis wasn’t as good on this trip as it’s been on past trips, but there were still sharks to be seen and turtles to be caught and tagged. The trip companions were fabulous, and the crew was outstanding as always. A big thanks to Rafa for keeping track of us while we were below the water – a welcome sight to surface to. Bryan and Yoyo were great dive masters and Javier was always smiling. I’ll be back. Mark United States

Latest News

Do Kayaking, Snorkeling Treasure Hunting on a Day Trip to Cocos Island

Guam Despatches September 19, 2014 Guam

Image : All rights and credits to geocities.jp

1690, Cocos Island. The Spanish galleon Neustra Senora Pilar de Zaragosa y Santiago (Our Lady of the Pillar of Zaragossa and Saint James) sank off the southern shore of the island, enroute to Manila from Acapulco. Forgotten over the centuries was the wreck and the $1.2 billion in Spanish coins on board. Almost 300 years later, papers concerning the Pilar were discovered and the hunt for the treasure began. Except for an anchor, some musket shells and some timber, no major treasure has been salvaged to date. The hunt goes on.

Rights to salvage the wreck may rest with a private company, but that should not stop you from snorkeling or kayaking around Cocos Island if you make a day trip to this tiny island just a mile off the southern tip of Guam. Cocos Island known as Islan Dano to the Chamorros is a 100-acre narrow strip of an island that lies atop the coral reef – part of the Merrizo Barrier Reef – along the rim of the Cocos lagoon.

Take a ferry from Merizo Pier in Guam to Cocos Island. These glass bottomed ferries can make the trip to Cocos Isand in itself a fabulous experience as you glide over the turquoise waters of the lagoon. While the eastern shore of the island is part of the Territorial Park System of the US the west coast of the island is where all the fun is. Here you would find a day resort with a pool, volleyball court, and water sport equipment rentals. Water sports you can indulge in here are snorkeling, diving, kayaking, parasailing and jet skiing. Or just go on a bike around the island or laze along the shore, watching dolphins. If you love watching birds, then you are in luck, because Cocos Island is home to a multitude of species of birds, much more than you would find in Guam.

Ferry charges from Guam to Cocos Island are $40 for adults and $25 for children .

Cocos Island does have a café, ice cream parlor and restaurant, but they only serve basic fare. So it might be a better idea to pack your own picnic lunch. The resort offers various packages for activities including entry fee, use of Mandara Spa, a beachside barbecue and a dinner show at the Sandcastle.

Overnight stay facilities are not available at Cocos Island. So if you decide to go, you will be back in Guam by evening and after a day of hectic water sports and activities, you can look forward to spending the night in the luxury of one of the comfortable rooms we offer at Days Inn Guam, the best hotel in Guam .

Days Inn Guam is conveniently located, just a short drive away from Merizo Pier from where you can take the ferry to Cocos Island. Our friendly staff will also be glad to help you with suggestions regarding water sports and activities and what equipment to rent at the resort.

Day trip from Guam to Cocos island : Video

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Cocos Island

Cocos Island, also known as Islan Dåno, is a small island that is located within the Merizo Barrier Reef, and it is part of the Merizo Municiplaity, in the southern part of the organized territory of the United States in Micronesia, Guam.

Located more precisely 2 km (1 mile) off the mainland of Guam, the Cocos Island is 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) long, and between 200 and 300 meters (660 and 980 feet) wide, and covers an area of about 386,3030 sq m (95.458 acres).

As it is uninhabited, this secluded tropical island features a small resort which offers pool, volleyball court, cafe, ice cream parlor, restaurant and bar, and water sports equipment rentals, making it a perfect getaway spot from the big crowds. Over here visitors can snorkel, dive, kayak, dolphin watch, parasail, jet ski and even bike, and since the resort does not have overnight stays and luxury amenities, it operates more as an amusement park.

Still, the most interesting feature would be for the birdwatchers, as the Cocos Island is considered to have more varieties of birds than the actual Guam main island. As one of the most interesting from the birds, certainly would be the Guam rail, which is considered as a critically endangered species of flightless bird that is endemic to Guam.

Before the reintroduction, the rats were eradicated from the entire lagoon, so that the Guam rail would have a fair chance to survive and for people to be able to see it in its natural habitat. After the reintroduction in 2010 to 16 birds, new research finds that the Guam rail is thriving in the surrounding and the numbers are already slowly rising.

All in all, Cocos Island even though small in size, it is definitely something that is worth spending money to get to, as it will allow every visitor to feel like being in heaven, while enjoying the local flora and fauna with some extra activities.