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| Cocos Islands | ||||||||
Okeanos Aggressor, September 1997, Sam Pearlstein, DPM, Manlius, NY. Seaworthy ship, but several of us were seasick on the 36-hour crossing to Cocos Island. Enjoyed the diving; white tip reef sharks, as many as 30 hammerheads on a dive, one dive at Lone Stone with a pod of 20 dolphins, other dives that included Mobula rays, eagle rays, marbled rays, eels, turtles and a single seal. Lots of butterfly fish and Moorish idols, several yellowfin tuna and wahoo. New addition to the boat was a shark cage tried by two crew members one night with a couple of large silky sharks cruising around. . . . Captain, divemasters, photo pro and crew were friendly and interacted well with passengers. Food nicely presented, varied and tasty, large portions. Snacks after dives included fruits and pastries (delicious). Cabin #3 was spacious and included a shower, head and sink. Cabins and boat were kept clean. A/C, H2O maker. Dived from two Zodiacs (21 dives Monday to Saturday). Night diving wasn't as exciting as daytime diving with lots of big stuff, surge, current, etc. El Niño warmed the water to 85 degrees and drove the hammerheads deeper usually. Vis: 80-100 ft. Dive restrictions: stay above 130 ft., dive your own profile after an initial checkout. (Aggressor Fleet, Ph: 800-348-2628 (US) or 504-385-2628, Fax: 504-384-0817, e-mail: 103261.1275@compuserve.com) Okeanos Aggressor, September 1997, Peter Hartlowe, Longmont, CO. Peter and Hugo divemasters-excellent. Alvarado-cook, excellent. El Nino warmed the water to 82-84 degrees. vis: 60-80 ft. Restrictions: 120 ft., no deco. Most hammerheads at 120-140, couple at 60'. Tough to shoot that deep and dark. Large schools of jacks, marbled rays, mobulated rays, couple of turtles. 30 dolphins with the other dive group-of course! Great boat, too much great food! Crew happy. Only two rainy days during the week. Okeanos Aggressor, January 1998, Ray Pettigrew, Napa, CA. Crew and food were first-rate. Boat could use a coat of paint; cabins were clean and in good repair. Went for whale sharks and mantas, but being an El Niño year the sharks were at 200 ft. Current occasionally very strong, not for beginners. Vis: 75-100 ft, water: 80-86 degrees. Rebreathers had several malfunctions. Nitrox available. Aggressor offered $250 credit within one year. Undersea Hunter/Sea Hunter, 1997, Dr. Ramon D. Jacobs, St. Clair Shrs, MI. After ten trips to Cocos there is no question the Undersea Hunter and Sea Hunter are the best not just the food and spacious accommodations, but the 24 ft. pangas can get to dive sites faster and more comfortably especially in rough water than the Okeanos Inflatable with much less horse power. As to sea urchins, no problem, just soak in vinegar water, no big deal. (Ph: 1-800-203-2120 or 506-289-7334, e-mail: seahuntr@sol.racsa.co.cr) Sea Hunter, August 1998, Richard Meitin, New York, NY. Outstanding dive experience. Lots of overcast and some rain during rainy season. Huge schools of fish, hammerheads, whitetips, countless big stingrays. Smaller things if you take time to look. No coral. Currents, surge, chilly thermoclines. Vis: 60-100 ft. Water: 78-81 degrees. Dive restrictions: 130 ft. (110 ft. on afternoon dives with 36 Nitrox). Great food, great service, lovely, comfortable boat. Full Nitrox service; rebreathers. Thrilling animal action. What the hell else do you want?
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