Coco Island

Hello,

I just returned from an amazing trip to Coco Island.

A series of shots taken during that trip.

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I also created a small movie during this trip. It's been a lot of fun using a GoPro for the very first time.

[vimeohd]41511813[/vimeohd]

Here is a summary of this extraordinary trip: http://www.underseahunter.com/n31/turtle-t...expedition.html

I hope you'll like it.

Thanks,

Damien

where are the hammerheads? big schools of and the great hammerhead....?

going there in June with undersea hunter!

Water temperature was too hot (between 28 and 30°) and thermocline around 40m.

They were staying below 50 m.We were diving with a Nitrox 32, so it's been impossible for me to go deeper than 42m.

I asked the crew for switching my tank to air, but they refused... too deep, too dangerous

So, I do have pictures of hammerheads, but I do not have any impressive shot as they always stayed below us.

We had some action in Dirty Rock and Alcyon, but nothing comparable to my previous trip in Nov. 2009.

Anyway, it's been an amazing trip.

Fabulous shots! I love the color and the clarity you got - those are two things I just haven't had luck with capturing at Cocos, for some reason.

How many turtles did you catch? Were you able to tag any sharks?

Longing to go back,

Gina

3,4 and 10 do it for me. Wheres my credit card.

Stew

Great photos.

We're off to Cocos in Sep and although it's peak season I'm fully prepared to come home without any decent hammerhead footage. I'm very lucky in most things underwater, but when it comes to hammerheads......

herared from someone (2nd hand) who was just returning from cocos that there were tigersharks almost on any dives....Seen any?

herared from someone (2nd hand) who was just returning from cocos that there were tigersharks almost on any dives....Seen any?

Yes. Reports are that there are up to ten tigers there now, the largest being a ~14 ft. female. They've returned to Cocos after a 30 year absence. I saw tigers on my two trips there in summer '10 and spring '11. You usually can tell there's a tiger around because the whitetips are nowhere to be found

-Gina

Exceptionally well done Damien! The video is absolutely stellar. I'm really impressed with the compositions you found and made. Really amazing stuff partner, congrats.

Cheers,

Steve

herared from someone (2nd hand) who was just returning from cocos that there were tigersharks almost on any dives....Seen any?

This is correct, you can see tiger sharks in Coco Island.

They are mainly located around Manuelita Island, and the dive sites on the north-east of the island.

Your best chances to sight one is on a site called Manuelita Channel.

If I were you, I would try to spend most of my dives on Alcyone, Dirty Rock, Punta Maria and Manuelita (outside & Cleaning stations). This is were you'll get the best chances to see good shark actions.

On Alcyon, we had a whale shark swimming around us during 45 minutes !!!!!

Exceptionally well done Damien! The video is absolutely stellar. I'm really impressed with the compositions you found and made. Really amazing stuff partner, congrats.

Thank you very much Steve.

I sincerely appreciate your comments. I hope I would have had more hammerhead shots...

Here is a shot taken during my last trip to Coco (Nov. 2009).

You should have a look at this website : http://edwarphotovideo.com/

Edwar is one of the DM working with Undersea Hunter, but is also an amazing UW photographer.

Wow Damien, what a fantastically shot video I must say! Really enjoyed watching it and needless to say, the photos are stunning!

Favourites have to be the head on shot of the whaleshark - you captured the eye brilliantly! I also love photo 12 with the silhouetted WS in the background. Just so much awesomeness......

Very jealous you got to dive with a whaley for so long! I've snorkeled with them and that alone was an incredible experience, but to spend so much time with them must be a real treat!

Looking forward to part 2.

Been to the Cocos twelve times now and it is always a different trip each time. I generally only go during the period of late June through late August tho Sept is supposed to be good as well. During this time it is the rainy season and all the island run off brings in the nutrients and the hammers to be cleaned. Simon, you should have contacted me, would have gone again. I am sure you will have a great trip. It is my favorite place in the world to dive. When you leave, come up to San Diego before heading to the UK.

Great work on the video, it is amazing what a little GoPro can do in the right hands. Super photos as well.

Steve

Wow Damien, what a fantastically shot video I must say! Really enjoyed watching it and needless to say, the photos are stunning!

 

Favourites have to be the head on shot of the whaleshark - you captured the eye brilliantly! I also love photo 12 with the silhouetted WS in the background. Just so much awesomeness......

 

Very jealous you got to dive with a whaley for so long! I've snorkeled with them and that alone was an incredible experience, but to spend so much time with them must be a real treat!

 

Looking forward to part 2.

Thank you Danny !

I will try to work on part 2 next week.

Been to the Cocos twelve times now and it is always a different trip each time. I generally only go during the period of late June through late August tho Sept is supposed to be good as well. During this time it is the rainy season and all the island run off brings in the nutrients and the hammers to be cleaned. Simon, you should have contacted me, would have gone again. I am sure you will have a great trip. It is my favorite place in the world to dive. When you leave, come up to San Diego before heading to the UK.

 

Great work on the video, it is amazing what a little GoPro can do in the right hands. Super photos as well.

Steve

Steve, I am jealous... 12 times to Coco !!!

I hope that I'll the chance to go there again, this is definitively the best place I've ever been diving on this planet.

Thanks for your comments.