Trip Idea · expertDraft
Pacific Pelagics
Galápagos → Cocos Island
Total trip
21 days
Budget range
$9,000–$15,000
Best months
June, July, August, September, October, November
The two greatest big-animal dive destinations on earth, back to back. Hammerheads at Darwin's Arch, then tiger and hammerhead walls at Cocos. This is a trip for experienced divers only — strong currents, cold water, remote evacuation.
The route
- 0110 daysGalapagos Islands66.9Ecuador · South America
Liveaboard only — no day-boat version of Galápagos exists. 10-day itinerary covers Darwin, Wolf, Cousins, Gordon Rocks.
- 0210 daysCocos Island64.6Costa Rica · Central America
Fly back to Costa Rica. 36-hour crossing from Puntarenas to Cocos. Everyone pukes once. The hammerhead schools make you forget.
Logistics
- →Pre-pay DAN insurance before you book anything else. Both destinations are days from the nearest chamber.
- →Scopolamine patches for the Cocos crossing. Non-negotiable.
- →You need ~50 logged dives minimum and real current experience. This is not a place to learn.
- →Between trips: 48 hours minimum in Quito or San José to decompress and fly.
Honest verdict
“The most expensive dive trip most divers will ever take and one of the few that earns every dollar. You won't forget a single dive. Don't attempt it as your AOW follow-up trip.”