Please enjoy this video about Seahawk’s visit to Isla Del Coco in January 2026.
Paradise. Eden. Utopia. Nirvana. Elysium or even cloud nine. These terms are all often used to describe idyllic locations or states of supreme happiness and contentment. All can be used to describe Cocos island. Located 340 nm from our starting point of Papagayo, Costa Rica, this island has everything. The amazing dive sites, the incredible scenery, never ending waterfalls in a luscious jungle background, no inhabitants, just 29 rangers on rotation protecting paradise (and the ‘Horde de Lima’ the pirate treasure that has never been found).
When we arrived at Chatham Bay on the morning of the 29th December the sun was shining and it was almost like arriving in a world similar to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s : The Lost World. I was not surprised that the opening scene of Jurassic Park was filmed here. The sun was shining, we did a check dive and had a visit from the Rangers who presented to us that the wildlife was thriving at the moment. They also highlighted some of their struggles with illegal fishing and unwelcome visitors. Cocos has been a National Park since 1978 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, these labels do not protect the waters or the wildlife from harm but the Rangers do their best to protect what they are most passionate about. It was immediately obvious the love the Rangers and our guide for the trip, Carlos, had for the environment they ardently protect. The sunshine did not last for long.
The heavens opened for nearly 6 whole days. The unique ecology of Cocos means it is the only island in the Eastern Tropical Pacific with a tropical rainforest, which also explains why Seahawk’s scuppers were full and freeing ports overflowing. The spectacle of the island increased no end with huge, powerful waterfalls appearing around each corner, bird activity was still high and the island was thriving……. in dry season. The last time Seahawk visited Cocos in 2021, it was wet season, and yes it was dry and sunny the whole trip! The joys of the tropics!
The weather did not affect morale onboard and the challenging dives kept us focused. A number of dive sites on Cocos are among the most famous in the world. Sharks were abundant on each dive. World famous Alcyone, I believe named after the Jaques Cousteau Society expedition vessel, did not disappoint with lighter current than previously, Dos Amigos was as challenging as ever, Manuelita Gardens beautiful as ever but I feel that throughout the boat everyone looked forward to diving Dirty Rock. From scalloped hammerheads, giant oceanic manta rays to tiny barnacle blennies (Sarah’s favourites), Galapagos sharks, white tips, silkies and much more, Dirty Rock had it all, every time.
However, the special moment for me on this trip was not underwater. I had longed for so many years to dive with hammerheads but this was trumped by a trek to a waterfall. It had adventure about it from the onset. We could not land the tender on the beach and had to swim ashore and then time the beach break to prevent being slammed on the pebbles. This was then followed by a trek through the flowing stream, scrambling over boulders, slipping on smooth submerged rocks. Clambering ever closer until an awesome waterfall appeared with a cool pool to swim in. Never have I felt so close to raw nature as in this moment that very few get to experience. The forest was bustling with life, the waterfall so powerful yet so refreshing, bird calls everywhere, the sound of the jungle deafening yet tranquil at the same time. The island was very much alive. Wading back down the stream towards the pebble beach I turned regularly to catch one more glimpse of Paradise, the Paradise we all need to protect not just the 29 who choose to.
Written by Adam Cowley
Chief Officer