Panama — Cocos
A diving expedition departing from Panama, combining Coiba National Park in Panama and Cocos Island in Costa Rica. Two marine reserves of Central America’s Pacific coast in one route.
Coiba — Panama’s largest island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — offers pristine reefs with sharks, rays, and turtles. The expedition then heads to Cocos Island with its famous underwater mountains, schools of hammerhead sharks, and giant mantas. The program combines Panamanian biodiversity with the legendary pelagics of Cocos.
What You'll See
Conditions
Season
Year-round
Visibility
15–30 meters
Water Temperature
23–28°C
Level
Advanced Open Water
Duration
10–12 nights
Useful Information
Best Season
June–November (rainy season, peak hammerhead and whale shark activity), December–May (calmer seas, better visibility)
Visa
Visa-free entry for up to 90 days for most nationalities; a passport valid for the whole trip and a return ticket are required
How to Get There
Fly to San José (SJO) via Madrid, Istanbul or Panama City, then 2 hours by road to the port of Puntarenas and a 30–36 hour liveaboard crossing to Cocos.
Climate
Tropical, 24–32°C, rainy season May–November
Currency
Costa Rican colón (CRC), US dollars widely accepted
Time Zone
UTC-6
