We were thrilled to be invited to join Tom Campbell and Beth Davidow on a dive trip to Cocos Island.

After 39 hours of traveling by plane (4 flights) from Cape Town, South Africa to San Jose, Costa Rica, a brief two nights sleep to recover, at the comfortable Radisson San Jose-Costa Rica ( Please read my trip adviser report here), a further 3 hour bus ride to Puntarenas and finally 36 hours, of unpleasant sea conditions, by boat, on the Undersea Hunter, to Cocos Island, 550km off the coast of Costa Rica. A total of 78 hours traveling, ONE WAY, to dive and film magnificent Sharks!

We will really think twice before flying with Lufthansa again though, as the ground service was dreadful, apart from one very efficient and helpful staff member at their lounge in Frankfurt Airport. Fortunately, our return flights were with Swiss air, who were super organised. The three hour bus ride from San Jose to Puntarenas was well organised and comfortable. The 36 hours boat transfer was unfortunately in unpleasant sea conditions, so be sure to pack your sea sick meds.

The staff on the Undersea Hunter were fabulous, the food fantastic and the diving was great under the given circumstance. It was full moon and the highest tides of the year, resulting in strongest currents. As a result, we were unfortunately not able to get out to many of the outlying dive sites, which are frequented by the stunning animals that we had come to see.

Despite the poor dive conditions, the dive leaders always made a plan and we did get to see many sharks. Do read the trip report on this link. Juan Manuel was our star director and he and all the staff made our trip on board the Undersea Hunter absolutely magical.

We were able to visit the rangers on Cocos Island and were pleased to see the huge conservation efforts that they undertake.

So, was it worth it?.................absolutely! Just to be in the presence of those magnificent sharks was a dream come true. Just picture a huge Tiger Shark looking straight at you from maybe a meter away.....bliss! We really would love to return again and hope that the weather conditions would be more favourable for diving and filming.

Till next time, we hope the rangers are able to continue protecting this vital area and all the marine life it embraces.

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