Big Fish Diving!

As I can see that many Wetpixel members are obviosuly into a lot of big fish diving, they therefore must have been to the best top big fish destinations. I wanted to get some input here...

I have often been told by quite a few divers that Galapagos is better than Cocos, or should I say, in their experiences has been better for reliable big fish encounters. I mean the big schools of hammerheads, schooling rays, the regular whaleshark sightings etc etc

Does anyone have any views on this, one day I think I should head over there and do some big fish diving, though I reckon if the trip is too long I may end up with my head back in the reef looking for nudibranchs or other little critters hehehehehe!

And Dru, sorry mate but the Sardine Run is probably not for me, I do like a certain degree a comfort when I'm diving now! I get my mini Sardine Run in Irian Jaya all the time -- watching the jacks, Spanish Mackerel and other mid sized predators getting into the huge schools of smaller fish... and all that in amongst gorgeous reef -- ooh lah lah!

My vote would be Cocos even though I've never been there. Probably a lot more big animals in a smaller area. Galapagos you are usually confined to Wolf and Darwin, which are distant and usually require either a short stay or a 10-14 day trip to get 3-4 days there, unless you charter specifically for these islands.

Having been to both, I'd pick Cocos for pure pelagic action.

Unless, as Kelpfish mentions, you were to do one of the extended charters in the Galapagos that spend more time in Darwin and Wolf. Darwin, if you hit it right, has multiple massive whalesharks and other large pelagics, while Landslide at Wolf can have schooling hammerheads that equal Cocos sites.

If I wanted to do a more mixed trip and have some possibility of interesting reef/small stuff diving, I'd give an edge to the Galapagos. Sites like Cousin's Rock in the Galapagos have an excellent diversity of smaller stuff, and there's an interesting mix of cold water and warm water species represented.

Plus you can do a really cool land tour of the manu diverse habitats in Costa Rica - an incredible country.

James

As I can see that many Wetpixel members are obviosuly into a lot of big fish diving, they therefore must have been to the best top big fish destinations. I wanted to get some input here...

 

I have often been told by quite a few divers that Galapagos is better than Cocos, or should I say, in their experiences has been better for reliable big fish encounters. I mean the big schools of hammerheads, schooling rays, the regular whaleshark sightings etc etc

 

Does anyone have any views on this, one day I think I should head over there and do some big fish diving, though I reckon if the trip is too long I may end up with my head back in the reef looking for nudibranchs or other little critters hehehehehe!

 

And Dru, sorry mate but the Sardine Run is probably not for me, I do like a certain degree a comfort when I'm diving now! I get my mini Sardine Run in Irian Jaya all the time -- watching the jacks, Spanish Mackerel and other mid sized predators getting into the huge schools of smaller fish... and all that in amongst gorgeous reef -- ooh lah lah!

You looking for things bigger than 10 cm? What is the world coming to?

I'd vote for Cocos too. But Galapagos for me has more topside as well which interests me too. Sure Costa Rica mainland is very cool as well. I suggest go to both and compare yourself And yes both places have little critters for those off days. And if you find a pygmy there, it'll be called H. Abby.

PS I guess Iris told you about her experience. BWAHAHA, I warned her not to go with we know who.

Anyways, you're getting soft Abby ol' son.

Dru, I do love new experiences, the more places I go the more I learn about new environments, after coming back from PNG I started to check out other kinds of areas and found a few great new top dive sites in and around Indonesia. Not too sure I'll have time for both places really, I think one cold dive experience is all I could handle. Oh yeah what are the most suitable dates for these places, if they clash with top diving over here in Indo, no chance - I'll be staying here instead!

Yeah I did hear from Iris, I knew she wouldn't be into thta kind of diving but she is game to try things and with her new love too ahh!

What d'ya mean getting soft, I thought I'd always have been soft? Lemme know when you're on your over this way again, be good to catch up!

sooo...

i would vote for cocos over galaps as a photographer....

i went to Cocos in july, got much closer to the hammers than in galaps and the water was not nearly as green and much warmer!!! 81!! (28C) except a dive or two at the end of the week with some cold upwellings...

Mind you... in Galaps there were more hammers (i went in Nov) and i had 13 whale sharks in 3 days at wolf/darwin... so as a non photographer that would be more fun i think... water def more green and the opportunity to see sealions and such was fun...

the best time to do either location is July-Oct..as thats the whale shark season

Dru, I do love new experiences, the more places I go the more I learn about new environments, after coming back from PNG I started to check out other kinds of areas and found a few great new top dive sites in and around Indonesia. Not too sure I'll have time for both places really, I think one cold dive experience is all I could handle. Oh yeah what are the most suitable dates for these places, if they clash with top diving over here in Indo, no chance - I'll be staying here instead!

 

Yeah I did hear from Iris, I knew she wouldn't be into thta kind of diving but she is game to try things and with her new love too ahh!

 

What d'ya mean getting soft, I thought I'd always have been soft? Lemme know when you're on your over this way again, be good to catch up!

You're screwed mate. Both high seasons are about the same. June-Oct is the high season at Cocos. But we did have some good stuff in April this year. Just hope for a El Nino. Brush up on your rebreather courses to get up close and personal with fish. Oh and the crossing for Cocos is 36 hours, and it's not glass many times.

I'd try for a Malpelo/Cocos trip. Galapagos is pretty good Dec/Jan during your off season.

Having been to Galapagos twice and just returned from an awesome trip to Cocos/Malpelo, i have a couple of thoughts to offer.

Cocos is a pure divers (and photographers) trip. The sites are rich with sea life. I would give Cocos the large edge for hammerheads and white tips. When it is good, it is almost unbeatable for shark action. Vis is usually better than Galapagos so for shooters it is awesome. You do more diving and really focus on high action sites.

Galapagos is a divers adventure trip. It is a blend of varying sites with cool land visits. I really love my times in Galapagos. I found more diversity of sea life in Galapagos. The money spots are wolf and even more so Darwin. At Darwin anything can happen and often does. The whalesharks in season are the big ticket. If you feel you have "seen" whalesharks before, you haven't. The ones here give the word "whale" shark meaning...they are goliaths! Plus the variety you see with them is stunning. In a single dive (and i am serious about 1 dive) in Darwin we saw: whale sharks, hammerhead schools, galapagos sharks, silkys, oceanic black tips, wahoo, tuna, rainbow runners, mackeral, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, dolpin, pompano, dense schools for creole wrasse, big eye jacks, black jacks and all kinds of smaller stuff. The downside is the vis is often very challenging. Many video/photo guys find it very challenging. That being said, if you get it right, you can get some good stuff.

In summary, if you are looking for an all around experience with varied sites, land stuff, and a few days at the money spots (wolf and darwin) then Galapagos is it. If you are up for the 30 hour crossings and want pure diving, more shark emphasis and better vis possible, cocos is your ticket.

shawn

Definitely seems like one has to do both at least once in a lifetime; I have Galapagos next year, maybe Cocos in 2008.

I am actually not a shooter at all - yeah I have Sony PC101 with a housing which I have taken diving about 4 times, the controls allow me to do very little and if I was to shoot I know exactly what shots I want and I'd need way too much kit... kinda like the stuff that Dru drags round the world with him! So I only really shoot the small things with a pocket sized camera, the big things... I'm happy keeping these as memories in the grey matter. Suppose you can say I can enjoy diving for the sake of diving and seeing the stuff.

Thanks for all your advice on this, keep it coming, sounds like I'd prefer Galapogas?

It goes without saying that either world class site is a huge winnner. I would agree that Galapagos is your spot. Try to hit it between june and september to maximize your experience. If these dates don't work, you can still have some excellent dives.

Graham...i had to laugh:) You said "Suppose you can say I can enjoy diving for the sake of diving and seeing the stuff", however your website it "www.diving4images.com" and your tagline is "custom diving, PHOTO, and adventure expeditions". Had us going there mate:)

I am actually not a shooter at all - yeah I have Sony PC101 with a housing which I have taken diving about 4 times, the controls allow me to do very little and if I was to shoot I know exactly what shots I want and I'd need way too much kit... kinda like the stuff that Dru drags round the world with him! So I only really shoot the small things with a pocket sized camera, the big things... I'm happy keeping these as memories in the grey matter. Suppose you can say I can enjoy diving for the sake of diving and seeing the stuff.

 

Thanks for all your advice on this, keep it coming, sounds like I'd prefer Galapogas?

Abby, if you have the time, the birds in the southern islands of Espanola and Floreana are spectacular. I'd suggest a double trip. One for diving and one top side, sail boat around the islands for 10 days, followed by 10 days of diving. If you can, get a private charter so you don't have to move around and do silly land tours. Save that for the land tour section (where you won't be rushed back to the boat). For the diving, , just sit around Darwin and Wolf (Culpepper and Wenman).

You won't regret going to the "G" spot.

Oh and remember to bring 7mm wetsuits at least you WWW.

Might want to consider rescheduling trips to the Galapagos and Cocos for the coming year. I understand that an El Nino is forcasted for the coming season. Early indicators point to a weak one, but those sites are usually pretty devistated by any El Nino event.

John

El Nino is a big concern. On the other hand, a mild el nino can do some majic. If you are lucky, you can get some far improved vis (over standard) with much or the marine life still around (and more of some like rays).

I have a trip planned to Galapagos next June. Any more info on how el nino affects that area, weather, dive conditions, marine life etc would be appreciated.

Graham...i had to laugh:) You said "Suppose you can say I can enjoy diving for the sake of diving and seeing the stuff", however your website it "www.diving4images.com" and your tagline is "custom diving, PHOTO, and adventure expeditions". Had us going there mate:)

Hehehehehe – I'm really a specialist dive guide for photographers, film makers and marine life enthusiasts; this big fish trip is for me only, well just thinking about it now! I know enough about basic photography to be able help those with new cameras on my trips. The way I see it, if I was to take a big camera rig down with my groups, no way could I find as many cool critters on the trips, I'd be too busy photographing only a few of what I find. Therefore I take only a little camera that fits in my BCD pocket and this only usually comes out occasionally. When I take photographic groups I often don’t get time to use it at all!

Hehehehehe – I'm really a specialist dive guide for photographers, film makers and marine life enthusiasts; this big fish trip is for me only, well just thinking about it now! I know enough about basic photography to be able help those with new cameras on my trips. The way I see it, if I was to take a big camera rig down with my groups, no way could I find as many cool critters on the trips, I'd be too busy photographing only a few of what I find. Therefore I take only a little camera that fits in my BCD pocket and this only usually comes out occasionally. When I take photographic groups I often don’t get time to use it at all!

Hehe...had to give you a bit of a hard time...

Actually, i am in Bali not infrequently. We should connect one of these days. Just did some awesome diving in Sept with Molo Mola. Here are some short vids from that trip:

http://www.bluespheremedia.com/bali-padangbai-video.html

Shawn