Panama — Cocos — Malpelo
A grand 17-day expedition combining three Pacific diving destinations: Panama, Cocos Island, and Colombia’s Malpelo. A catamaran route from Panama — the most ambitious program in the region.
The expedition includes 4 days of diving at Malpelo Island and 4 days at Cocos Island, with a stop in Panamanian waters. Both islands are recognized world centers of pelagic diving with schools of hammerhead sharks, mantas, and whale sharks. Long ocean crossings between islands are compensated by unique underwater experiences across three countries in one expedition.
What You'll See
Conditions
Season
Year-round
Visibility
15–30 meters
Water Temperature
23–27°C
Level
Advanced Open Water
Duration
16 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
