Isla del Coco

Cocos Island, Costa Rica, is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, ranking first in the top ten scuba diving destinations. The island is exceedingly remote, lying in the Pacific Ocean 550 kilometers from the Costa Rican mainland, but it is one of the best places to go scuba diving in the country.

The only way to get to this island is via boat, and the journey from Puntarenas to Isla del Coco takes approximately 36 hours. There are no hotels, hostels, or other lodging choices on the island, so you must sleep aboard the boat.

This minor difficulty, however, does not detract from the island's allure for those who are attracted by nature and marine species. Because most diving places are in the open sea, where currents are rather strong, and diving requires very good skills and expertise, Isla del Coco is suggested to experienced divers.

The waters surrounding the island are teeming with marine life, including reef fish, hammerhead sharks, moray eels, rays and dolphins, and even sea turtles. Cocos Island has been designated a nature reserve since 1978 and a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997 due to its unique ecosystem and abundant biodiversity.

Location: Cocos Island, Costa Rica