Feliz y Saludable: Diving in Cocos Island with Rafa Vilagut this year

5°31′08″N 87°04′18″W

Approximately 550 km (340 mi) off the shore of Costa Rica

Survey: dear friends scuba-divers from around the world, I'm going to make this year a boat TRIP to dive Cocos Island in COSTA RICA, Would you prefer the traditional ten day trip costing about $ 4000 or a shorter trip four or five days of $ 800,00 or less? Interested drop a line, thank you very much...Encuesta a mis amigos buzos de todo el mundo, voy a preparar este año 2015 un paseo en bote a bucear a Isla de Cocos en COSTA RICA, ¿Preferirían el viaje tradicional de diez días con un costo aprox. de unos 4,000 dólares o un viaje mas corto de cuatro o cinco días de 800,00* dólares o menos? Nota: si eres costarricense o residente, este bello paseo de buceo, podría salir por la mitad del precio, según políticas de Parques Nacionales en Costa Rica. Por favor envíen sus comentarios y sugerencias. Rafael A. Vilagut.

Best time to go on Cocos Island Upssa Travel

Situated near the equator, Cocos Island is a tropical island paradise with a warm and humid climate. Average temperature is between 24-30°C. The island has beautiful blue skies, yet heavy rain falls are possible throughout the year.

However, divers need not worry since Upssa Travel trips in Cocos Island are available the whole year round. But if you much prefer to dive in calmer seas and with better visibility, then it’s recommended to do your trip between the months of January and May.

If you are feeling adventurous and are keen to get your adrenaline pumping, a dive encounter with the Hammerhead Sharks may just do the trick. The best time to dive with these sharks at Cocos Island is during the rainy months from June to December. This is because during said rainy months, the high concentration of nutrients in the water attracts the Hammerheads.

Cocos Island is not only about the Hammerhead Sharks. The island is so rich with underwater life that divers keep coming back for more. Rafael Vilagut Vega Upssa Travell COSTA RICA reservaciones +506-8320-6097, skype raalvive, rafaelvilagut@gmail.com

foto internet alertdiver

Cocos Island Upssa Travel routes:

Uppsa Travel vessels typically depart from and end in the Pacific Town of Puntarenas, which showcases some of the best of Costa Rica’s beautiful and stunning views.

Depending on weather and sea conditions, cruising from the mainland of Costa Rica to Cocos Island generally requires more than 30 hours of travel. This means you have ample time to prepare your SCUBA gear and equipment, make friends, socialize, read up about the local marine life, and mingle and get to know your fellow divers!

There are actually more or less 20 diving sites in Cocos Island. Some popular diving sites included in most Upssa Travel routes include:

1) Bajo Alcyone – A 600 feet long submerged mountain with Hammerhead Sharks,Manta rays and lots of schools of fish.

2) Everest -Where a multitude of Hammerhead Sharks and various kinds of rays are seen in action.

3) Big Dos Amigos – An islet that features a 45-foot-high arch and 60-foot pinnacle off the southeast side of Cocos Island. Schools of Rainbow Runners, Snappers and Jacks are very common in this site. Hammerheads Sharks can also be spotted patrolling and swimming in the arch.

4) Bird Island, Chatham Bay – See Frogfish, Moray Eels, White Tip and Hammerhead Sharks in action. You can also check out its cleaning station here.

5) Dirty Rock – A large island where hammerhead Sharks usually hang out in groups.

With lots of amazing dive sites to discover, Cocos Island is indeed a place where divers can truly experience real interactions with Hammerhead Sharks and its other diverse array of marine life. COSTA RICA reservaciones +506-8320-6097, skype raalvive, rafaelvilagut@gmail.com Rafael Vilagut Vega

Wind Dancer Upssa Travel

Living on a boat is truly an adventure. Most liveaboards will take you to exotic places only visited by few. One of the most popular liveaboards that abound in the beautiful islands of Cocos is the Wind Dancer. Running 10 night trips around the beautiful island, this 37m long motor yacht can accommodate up to 22 divers.

Restored in 2010, the Wind Dancer has 11 air-conditioned cabins, each with its own bathroom. Spacious upper deck suites, saloon and entertainment facilities are also available. Wind Dancer not only gives you comfort but also complements your liveaboard diving experience with a little bit of pampering you will never forget!

Wind Dancer yacht on board facilities and services:

Dive deck with toilet and 3 hot water showers
Camera table, battery charging stations and separate rinse tank
Air-conditioned saloon with restaurant and bar
TV, video player and music system
Library with movies, magazines, general and fish ID books
Sundeck and shaded area with sun chairs
Ship Shape Boutique
Water dispenser

Wind Dancer Boat Budget Range / Price: Starts at US$ 4,765* for a 10 night tour

With a very affordable rate, liveaboard diving with Wind Dancer in Cocos Island has never been this comfortable and practical. COSTA RICA reservaciones +506-8320-6097, skype raalvive, rafaelvilagut@gmail.com Rafael Vilagut Vega

MV Adventure Upssa Travel

Cruising at a speed of 8 knots, this 30 meter-long liveaboard can accommodate 20 guests and give them the comfort they need but at an affordable price.

One of the greatest advantages of diving liveaboard is that you can eat without worrying about preparing meals or how you will cook your food on board. The chefs on board MV Adventure make sure that you are well-fed with yummy meals each day of your cruise. Their meals ranges from local Costa Rican to International cuisine and are served buffet style in the dining area of the main deck.

A generous array of entertainment amenities such as a TV, DVD player, music and computer are also available for your use. Along with life jackets and a fire extinguisher, mini personal diver locators are also provided for guests on board for safety purposes. If you are seeking a liveaboard adventure on Cocos Island without sacrificing comfort and style, then consider the MV Adventure.

MV Adventure yacht on board facilities and services:

Complimentary nitrox
Motorised dive tenders
82m² dive deck and platform with 2 fresh water showers
Camera table and separate rinse tank
Air-conditioned saloon with dining area, bar and water dispenser
TV, DVD player and music system
Satellite phone, computer with internet
Library with movies, magazines, general, diving and fish ID books
Sundeck and shaded area with sun chairs & mattresses

MV Adventure Boat Budget Range / Price: Starts at US$3,500* for a 10 night tour, COSTA RICA reservaciones +506-8320-6097, skype raalvive, rafaelvilagut@gmail.com Rafael Vilagut Vega

MV Sea Hunter Upssa Travel MV

Sea Hunter will help you fulfill your dream of diving the pinnacles around the perimeter of Cocos. The spacious layout has introduced divers, as well as underwater photographers to an entirely new concept in liveaboard. With a length of 36 meters, MV Sea Hunter and her crew specialize in providing excellence in service, food and underwater excitement.

MV Sea Hunter has extremely well designed facilities fit for long distance trips. The incredible underwater adventures that Cocos Island has to offer must be experienced on board MV Sea Hunter. A maximum of 20 divers can be accommodated, which includes air-conditioned cabins, a restaurant and enough deck space to hang out with fellow divers.

Do you suffer from motion sickness? Get on board the MV Sea Hunter for they have stabilizers strategically placed under the water to prevent the boat from swaying. Although Cocos Island’s dive sites are remote, divers need not worry because every diver is issued with a personal diver locator, which is clipped to their BCD. This liveaboard also provides a free laundry service to guests throughout the trip.

MV Sea Hunter yacht on board facilities and services:
Free nitrox on trips
42m² Dive deck with rinse tanks, hot water showers and personal storage bins for each diver
Personal camera/strobe storage shelves
Service to rebreathers and technical divers
Air conditioned lounge
Study with with general books, fish ID books, a computer, TV and an extra DVD player
Air-conditioned restaurant
Sundeck
Water dispenser

MV Sea Hunter Boat Budget Range / Price: Starts at US$ 5,085* for a 10 night tour COSTA RICA reservaciones +506-8320-6097, skype raalvive, rafaelvilagut@gmail.com Rafael Vilagut Vega

MV Undersea Hunter Upssa Travel

The MV Undersea Hunter is a comfortable home away from home. This liveaboard provides enough gear lockers and storage space for all equipment. The usual time spent exploring around Cocos Island is 10-12 nights. Guests can be assured that they get the best bang for their buck because of the ultimate luxurious liveaboard diving experience and high-quality service offered by MV Undersea Hunter! With a speed of 9 knots, this boat can only accommodate up to 14 guests, thus giving each one the ample time to get to know their diving buddies well and develop camaraderie.

All meals are served buffet style in the dining area. The menu could largely be described as international although you will also be treated to some local Costa Rican specialties. All drinks including alcohol are included in the liveaboard cruise price. Divers can also socialize with each other in the air-conditioned saloon and dining area on the main deck. Full entertainment facilities, communication devices and photo and video editing equipment are available for guests while waiting for the next dive. Coffee drinkers can also use the Espresso machine to give them their daily dose of caffeine!

You can expect every comfort on board as well as plenty of breath-taking dive action below the waves when on board MV Undersea Hunter.

MV Undersea Hunter boat on board facilities and services:
Complimentary nitrox
Personal storage system for underwater cameras
Air-conditioned cabins with private en-suite bathrooms
Air-conditioned saloon with full entertainment facilities including TV, DVD player and computer
Sundeck and shaded area with sun chairs and mats
Satellite telephone, e-mail facility, fax and cellphone
Computer, CD burner, photo and video editing facilities

MV Undersea Hunter Boat Budget Range / Price: Starts at US$ 5,085* for a 10 night tour Cocos Island is a remote, diving destination and you would be at ease to know that you are cruisin’ in safe hands of the experienced crew of the Undersea Hunter. COSTA RICA reservaciones +506-8320-6097, skype raalvive, rafaelvilagut@gmail.com Rafael Vilagut Vega

Okeanos Aggressor Upssa Travel

Okeanos Aggressor has a roomy sundeck, which is equipped with sunbeds/chairs available for guests to hang out before and after scuba diving. Comfort, style and fun adventure are what the Okeanos Agressor offer its guests. Freshly-prepared snacks await divers to appease the post-dive hunger pangs! This 33 metre steel-hulled motor yacht will take you to all the mesmerizing dive sites only found in Cocos.

Restored in 2010, this liveaboard can accommodate up to 22 divers giving a satisfying quality service ranging from basic diving assistance to entertainment facilities with internet, TV, DVD and music system which helps pass the time while waiting for the next dive. This liveaboard also has large air-conditioned saloon, restaurant and spacious deck space for sunbathing. American-style and local dishes are served buffet-style on board the Okeanos Aggressor.

Okeanos Agressor boat on board facilities and services:
English and Spanish spoken on board
Nitrox
Personal EPIRBs for diving and an on-board defibrillator
Cabins with private en-suite bathrooms
Dive deck with toilet, camera table and rinse tank
Main deck air-conditioned saloon with TV, video player, music system, movie library, books, magazines and satellite telephone
Computer, internet, photo and video editing facilities
All dietary requirements including Halal and vegetarian can be catered
Coffee, tea, drinking water, soft drinks, beer and wine are provided free of charge
Sundeck and shaded area with sun chairs

Okeanos Agressor Boat Budget Range / Price: Starts at US$ 4,535* for a 10 night tour, COSTA RICA reservaciones +506-8320-6097, skype raalvive, rafaelvilagut@gmail.com Rafael Vilagut Vega

MV Argo Upssa Travel

Comfort, adventure and luxury all rolled into one is what MV Argo prides itself on. High quality service and amenities are what sets this liveaboard apart. Built in 2008, this dive boat has a length of 39 metres and a beam of 8 metres. This liveaboard can accommodate up 16 divers, thus, giving each diver a more personalized service and plenty of space to move around.

The individual safety of each diver is taken very seriously by the staff. A beacon, which is clipped to the BCD is given to divers to trace their exact positions, therefore reducing the possibility of a lost diver. Your safety is ensured on and off board.

MV Argo also offers delectable dishes on board to entice the divers’ taste buds between dives. Since most of the chefs can make modifications to the menu for the guests, you need not worry if you’ve got allergies or special dietary needs. Apart from the air-conditioned saloon, dining and entertainment area, this liveaboard also has a special room where guests can use the computer and internet for free. Photo and video editing equipment are also available. One can also take advantage of the free laundry service as well.

MV Argo boat on board facilities and services:
Free Nitrox
Spacious and well-equipped dive deck
Extra large cabins fitted with air-conditioning, TV, VCR player and en-suite hot water bathroom facilities
Free guest laundry service
Custom-built stabilising system mounted on outriggers to make sleeping peaceful
DeepSee submersible
Sundeck and shaded area with sun chairs and mattresses
TV, DVD, music system, movie library, games and satellite telephone
Computer, photo and video editing facilities
Coffee, tea, drinking water, soft drinks, snacks and a beer after your last dive are provided free of charge
Serves International, Italian and local cuisine

MV Argo Boat Budget Range / Price: Starts at US$ 5,635* for a 10 night tour COSTA RICA reservaciones +506-8320-6097, skype raalvive, rafaelvilagut@gmail.com Rafael Vilagut Vega