Cocos Island

Okeanos Aggressor, July 1995, Ron Hemmelgarn, Mundelein, IL. "Daytime dives exhilarating - 60 foot to 120 ', currents varying from none to strong, even on same dive; vis 25­75 feet. For sharks, rays (manta, eagle, and stingray) turtles, lobsters - stupendous; coral and color - nothing. Every dive: hundreds of hammerheads and whitetips with a few silkys and Galapagos sharks. Marble rays became ho-hum, eagle rays not so numerous, mantas on six of 26 dives. Sailfish on two different dives, but no whale sharks. . . . Crew excellent from handling equipment, tips on photography, dive sites or dive skills and good camaraderie. The meals very good, lots of fresh fish. Thrill a minute' diving."

Okeanos Aggressor, July 1995, Allan & Barbara Jones, Anaheim, CA. "Top quality Aggressor operation. Rained 9 of 10 days, but did not affect diving. Water 78/80; 10 deg drop in thermoclines. Take sweats for after diving. Medium to high currents. A large single strobe is easier than double arms. Recommend 28 or zoom lens and 24­50 or 28­85 zoom in housing. ASA 100 or 200 is best. A reef hook (large fishing hook and 3' of line) keeps you in place and allows hands free for camera work. Excellent crew and dive boat leaders. Dive from 18' inflatables. Not for beginners. Make sure gear is in top shape and take a safety sausage. Excellent only for shark diving. Still photography difficult; excellent for video. Stan Waterman Trip ($100 extra/person) was entertaining. Costa Rica imposes a $105/person tax to dive at Cocos - not advised of this until travel documents arrived."

Okeanos Aggressor, August 1995, Bob Kressl, Wausau, WI. "Hammerheads: 50­100 most dives. White tips everywhere, occasional silky sharks. Strong current on some dives, could only hold on to the rocks and watch the scenery. Rough crossing (40 hours), most people seasick. Rest of trip very good. Boat shows its age, but kept clean. Diving from Zodiacs. A ladder is needed, most divers had to be hauled back in. Overall A-1."

Okeanos Aggressor, February 1996, Jim Stitt, Cincinnati, OH. "One of the best trips ever! Diving fantastic, schools of hammerheads every dive. Crew/service the best of any live-aboard. Boat was comfortable and will be completely remodeled. Food was good, but not as much variety as other Aggressors. Vis: 50 ft. water: 75°­80°."

Undersea Hunter, August 1995, Carol Hurley, Afton, IL. "Occasionally currents so bad we had to make multiple attempts to get down because we'd be blown to sea before we could grab something. Rough on camera gear - scratched 2 filters. Vis never less than 35­40 feet, orcas. Sea life stunning - hundreds of hammerheads, dolphins, large & small mantas, huge turtles that would come up to you, a stingray that insisted on being petted, humpback whale & calf, marlin, barracuda, wahoo, yellowfin, frog fish. Buddy system impossible in currents. Sometimes you were lucky to see another diver on the dive. Night diving mediocre - 6'­ 8' silky sharks get more aggressive & are pests. . . . Crew friendly and competent. Food average."

Undersea Hunter, November 1995, Dr. Harry C. Smith, Los Gatos, CA. "Recently refurbished. Excellent boat, crew and food. Fresh salads, plus fish, steaks and chicken. Honor bar. Captain accommodated requests to tour the bridge. Hugo, our dive boat chief, would spot manta rays for us to enjoy free diving. Josey found best photo opportunities. . . . Schooling hammerheads, manta rays, turtles, grey whales, marble rays, spiny lobsters, whitetip reef sharks (too many to count). Three day dives plus a night dive. Two 15' chase boats. The crew filled the tanks on the chase boats and handled all our gear."

Undersea Hunter, June 1996, Bill Ingram , Columbus, OH. "Great trip! Good staterooms and common areas. Food and service very good. Strong surge and currents, most dives deep. hammerheads, whitetips, huge schools of jacks and snappers, whale shark. 30 hours one way to Cocos is a problem Vis: 50­80 ft."

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