Asian Diver – March 2018

ECOTOURISM

http://www.underseahunter.com

The group is assisting the University of
Costa Rica’s CIMAR division using their
DeepSee submersible to study the deep waters
surrounding Cocos Island

ABOVE: Schools of hammerhead sharks are
often sighted around Cocos Island
IMAGE: Avi Klapfer

UNDERSEA HUNTER GROUP

Where: Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Diving: The Undersea Hunter Group’s

two luxury liveaboards, Argo and Sea

Hunter, offer an arsenal of amenities,

including a deep-diving submersible

for guests. Throughout the 10 to

12 day trip, guests visit dive sites

around Cocos Island that range from

6 to 40 metres in depth, with warm

water and gentle to strong currents.

During dives, guides do population

estimates of shark species they see.

Many organisations use this data to

observe population trends, with one

of the most comprehensive studies

published in 2015. The group is

assisting the University of Costa Rica’s

CIMAR division using their DeepSee

submersible to study the deep waters

surrounding Cocos Island.

Classic Dives:

Dirty Rock – One of Cocos Island’s

best dive sites, six to 39 metres deep,

this giant rock formation hosts a very

diverse range of marine life, including

mobula rays, dolphins, sharks, turtles,

and even the occasional whale shark.

Bajo Alcyone – Another top dive site,

27 to 36 metres deep, this seamount

has an incredible variety of large sea

life, including sharks, rays, turtles,

dolphins, sailfish, and whale sharks.

When: Year-round sightings. Some

sites subject to prevailing conditions

and seasons.

Requirements:

• Open Water Diver certification


• Dive-specific insurance such as
  DAN, Aquamed, or FFSSMM


• Nitrox certification and minimum
  50 hours of diving experience
  recommended AD