Isla Del Coco

Alex Tyrrel · Issue 65, Mar/Apr 2012 · pp. 46–50

Products mentioned: Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Inon Z240, Nikon 12-24mm lens, Tokina 10-17mm lens, Zen DP-200 dome, MV Argo

The Hammerhead Shark has been high up on my ‘hit-list’ since I started diving, but has been one subject that had eluded me for quite some time. So with a portrait of a Hammerhead in mind I set off on the extensive journey from the Philippines to Costa Rica (via L.A. & Dallas) to dive the world famous Isla del Coco aboard the luxurious liveaboard, MV Argo, which is part of the Undersea Hunter Group. Cocos Island is very remote, requiring a crossing of over 300 miles taking between 32-36 hours from the port of Punteranus. You will be navigating the open ocean of the Pacific, which can be a very rough ride when heading into swells that potentially originate near Antarctica! I timed my trip for the start of the dry season, so we only had to endure a mild swell on the outward journey making for a comfortable crossing. The thought of travelling for this duration to simply get to the dive site …