Cocos Island National ParkAbout Cocos Island National Park
Cocos Island National Park is a Costa Rican national park located in the eastern Pacific Ocean about 550 km southwest of the mainland. The park was established in 1978 and is widely recognized for its marine biodiversity.
The park is world-famous for its scuba diving; dive sites around the island are known for frequent encounters with large pelagic species including hammerhead sharks and manta rays. The island itself has steep shoreline cliffs, bays suitable for landings, and a densely forested interior with freshwater streams.
A second major draw is the marine environment - the protected waters around the island support large aggregations of pelagic fish and sharks, making the area important for conservation and scientific study. Visitor access is tightly controlled and typically arranged through liveaboard dive operators.
The island was legally protected as a national park by Costa Rica in 1978 and later inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 for its outstanding marine biodiversity. Management focuses on conservation of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems and on regulating visitor access.
The park is centered on Isla del Coco and nearby islets at approximately 5.53°N, 87.07°W, roughly 550 km (about 340 miles) southwest of the Costa Rican mainland. The nearest points of departure are ports on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast where liveaboard vessels begin multi-day trips to the island.
- Protection status: Designated a national park by Costa Rica in 1978 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
- Access and habitation: Access is only by boat and is typically via liveaboard dive vessels; there are no permanent civilian settlements on the island.
- Marine wildlife: Renowned for pelagic scuba diving with regular sightings of schooling hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and other large marine life.
What to See#
- Isla del Coco (main island): Covers the main island and immediate islets with steep cliffs and interior rainforest, where freshwater streams and trails accessible to permitted visitors meet the shoreline.
- Marine protected zone: A surrounding marine protected zone that extends outward from the island and is managed as part of the national park to conserve pelagic species and shark aggregations.
Nearby Attractions to Cocos Island National Park
Best Time to Visit Cocos Island National Park
Best diving conditions December-April; the green season concentrates plankton and predator activity, making it exceptional for big-animal encounters.
Weather & Climate near Cocos Island National Park
Cocos Island National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (3184 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 18° - 29° | 24° | 196 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.7h |
| February | Very Good | 19° - 29° | 24° | 152 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.8h |
| March | Very Good | 20° - 30° | 25° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 20° - 30° | 25° | 127 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.1h |
| May | Good | 20° - 29° | 24° | 344 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.6 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.3h |
| June | Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 375 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.3h |
| July | Good | 19° - 28° | 23° | 157 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.3h |
| August | Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 219 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.6 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.2h |
| September | Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 373 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.4 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Good | 18° - 27° | 22° | 736 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.9h |
| November | Good | 18° - 27° | 23° | 171 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.8h |
| December | Good | 18° - 28° | 23° | 197 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.7h |
How to Get to Cocos Island National Park
Access requires a liveaboard dive boat from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, usually departing from Puntarenas or Quepos; crossings typically take 36-48 hours. Day trips from the mainland are not possible. Licensed dive operators handle permits and logistics; overnight park access is limited and controlled by Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).
Tips for Visiting Cocos Island National Park
- Book dives through reputable operators in Puntarenas or Quepos; liveaboard trips are the only practical way to reach the island for multi-day diving.
- Pack biodegradable sunscreen - the marine reserve is strict about chemicals that harm coral.
- Expect rough sea crossings; seasickness medication and a sturdy stomach are recommended for the 36-48 hour boat trip.