Cocos Islands for August, 2008

Yep it is early but we don't book the Cocos unless we can get the best dates. This will be my 10th trip there and it still remains my favorite place to dive for large pelagics. It is a place that is season dependent and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Anytime between mid June and early September is considered prime time for the schooling hammers and whale sharks.

We will be aboard the Okeanos Aggressor which has greatly improved the boat's facilities and cabins. The food is plentiful and excellent. Additional info is on attachments to this post.

Feel free to email me with any concerns or questions

steve-sharksdelight@cox.net

www.worldfilmsandtravel.com for lots of additional info

Steve B)

_World_Films___Travel_Video_Seminar_at_Costa_Rica.pdf

Read your pdf and the trip looks interesting. How much are you charging for the video seminar?

The seminar is free for anyone who comes to the Cocos with us. We have the best dates for a Cocos trip, so have your cameras and camcorders ready with lots of tape or P2 cards.

Steve B)

thanks for the info... just curious, you're leaving on the 19th and returning on the 29th, how many full days of diving does that leave?

also, how much are park fees?

scott

Scott,

The National Park fees amount to $245.00 which is paid directly to the National Guards when they board the boat towards the end of the trip. You can not use a credit card to pay them unfortunately. They only take cash...this has always been their way even when the park fee was considerably less in 1992, my first trip there.

Other than that, their are no additional fees other than nitrox if you choose to dive with it. We have advised everyone to plan on landing in San Jose, Costa Rica on the 18th so there will be a single night charge of 125. for the hotel which is already reserved. If you want to arrive sooner to take advantage of land excursions we can arrange for those hotel stays as well. Same thing if you prefer to stay later after the dive portion.

The Okeanos folk will pick us up at the hotel to bring us to Punteranous. It is about a 1.5 hr scenic drive. Very nice. Once we board the boat, around 12pm or so, the boat, depending upon currents and such, takes about 33 hours to get to the Cocos. Thus, you board the boat and get settled, have the next day to get acquainted, and set up all your dive and cam gear. When you wake up, you will be at the Cocos ready for the first dive of the day. Most people do 3 dives a day plus a night dive for those who want to do them. I have had some of my most exciting night dives ever there. You wind up with 7 days of diving. Attached is an additional doc for you to look at.

Steve B)

2008_SPECIAL_INVITATION_TO_COCO.doc

Having just been on the Cocos Okeanos this Aug, I would definitely say this is a must do trip if you can. We did the shorter 8 day trip which equates to 5 days of diving and regretted not having done the longer trip.

The long ride out and back from port to Cocos Island can get a little rough if you are not used to ocean crossings (bring motion sickness pills and take them early). And if its your first time to Costa Rica, do try to spend some time on land doing excursions - absolutely beautiful scenary (outside of San Jose.. )

I've been lucky. This will be my 10th and 11th trip there. I will be on the Hunter for the first 10 day trip, then they will leave me on the island with the guards for 2 days. My partner will be meeting all the guests for the Okeanos trip in San Jose and when the boat gets to the Cocos they will come to the island to pick me up. In all my trips there, I've only had one rough crossing. I am lucky in that I don't get seasick. Hey Pakman...why don't you join us for next year's trip. Would be great to meet you there.

Steve B)

Would love to join your group Steve but I've only got 1 get of out of jail card for next year and I'm using it for a Galapagos trip

Would be great though to do a Cocos trip with a seasoned video pro like you. I've still got lots to learn with my housed HC7.

I enjoyed the Galapagos as well even if it is cold water. One trip there back in the early 90's, in Dec, gave me my first adult whale sharks, and the 2nd trip in June we got skunked for almost everything. Hope they have got that limited access to Darwin and Wolf worked out for you. Never the less, one of these days we will dive together.

Steve B)

Our Cocos expedition in August now has only 5 spots left for those who are still contemplating on going. Get there before those major price hikes next year.-Steve B)

Okay folks, we now have only 2 spots left open. After this trip the Aggressor people willl have really raised their prices and the Hunter is even more expensive. Thus, if you want to save some bucks and have the best large critter diving anywhere let me know asap.

Steve B)

This trip is now full!! Thank you all who have responded. Look for a Red Sea and Egypt Dive/Tour trip in Nov. 09