COCOS ISLAND- Costa Rica | 2027

Hammerhead Sharks, Wilderness and Adventure

24th June to 6th July 2027

Cocos Island | Costa Rica | Undersea Hunter

Welcome to Shark island. Born from a volcanic eruption over 2 million years ago, this island is surrounded by some of the most spectacular diving on the planet.

There are few truly remote places left on earth and this island is one of them. Located 312 miles from Costa Rica’s mainland, this island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Cocos Island is known for its rich history of explorers and adventurers dating back centuries, as evidenced by the ancient rock carvings that emerge at low tide in Chatman Bay.

Our liveaboard, the Sea Hunter, is a 35m cruiser specifically conceived for long-range journeys to remote destinations like Cocos Island. Equipped with everything that a serious diver and photographer could ask for such as gear lockers, private camera storage and dual camera rinse tanks and even a drone take off/landing pad.

We have booked five comfortable staterooms which include ensuite controllable air conditioning, hot water showers, daily housekeeping and complimentary laundry service. Ample public spaces include an indoor lounge and study plus an expansive sundeck for relaxing in between dives.

A well-equipped galley enables our chefs to prepare delicious, healthy and varied cuisine for all dietary preferences – using only the freshest, sustainably sourced ingredients. With three scheduled meals per day and snacks in between, there are ample opportunities to refuel.

Sea Hunter’s brilliantly-engineered design is complemented by a seasoned crew of ten, who give it their all to ensure that every voyage is a trip of a lifetime. Together they have introduced adventure divers, professional photographers and cinematographers to an unparalleled level of service.

Whalesharks- the largest fish on earth

Bottle-nose dolphin

Schooling Hammerhead Sharks

Green turtles

The endemic rosy-lipped batfish

Schooling Eagle rays

Diving Cocos

Cocos Island has been referred to as one of the seven wonders of the natural world – spend some time here and you’ll quickly understand why.

Here, pristine waters take you back in time to unspoiled oceans; the ocean is teeming with marine life including 12 species of sharks, 4 types of rays, 4 species of sea turtles and 16 different marine mammals. Divers commonly encounter large schools of hammerheads and jacks, tiger and Galapagos sharks, marble rays, frogfish and octopuses. The island is home to at least 27 endemic fish species, including the Cocos rosy-lipped batfish. Keep an eye out for large pelagic travelers including rays, whales, and dolphins

Topside, Cocos Island National Park is a living laboratory with scores of endemic species. The island is home to 70 of the 235 identified vascular plant species in the world, some 25 species of moss, 27 species of liverwort and 85 species of fungus. There are upwards of 87 kinds of bird, including the endemic Cocos Island cuckoo, finch and flycatcher as well as two endemic lizards.

Beneath the surface, it’s considered one of the sharkiest places on Earth.

$???? USD per person includes:

10 nights twin share in aircon Deluxe bungalows, one queen and one single bed w/private facilities & balcony at Tufi Dive Resort
Return flights departing from Brisbane to Port Moresby on Qantas* and Tropic Air flight Port Moresby to Tufi
8 days of diving
Road transfers
24 boat dives & 1 guided house reef orientation dive
Use of canoes, kayak and snorkeling on house reef
Tanks & weights
All meals
Cultural tour at local village
Komoa Beach BBQ
Fjord cruise
UW Photo Workshop & coaching
Expedition t-shirt
Underwater Photography Workshop: all Aquatic Imaging Australia expeditions include underwater workshops and mentoring. Read more below.
Exclusions:
Flights to & from Brisbane
Travel insurance & excess luggage fees
Booking conditions and requirements: to secure your spot a $1,000 deposit is required; visit our website, email us at info@aquaticimagingaustralia.com.au or click on ‘Book Now’ below.
*Package could be subject to change when booking flights

Vanessa- image taken by Talia Greis in Sydney

Your Expedition Leader

Vanessa is a passionate award winning underwater photographer, scuba instructor and freediver who had the pleasure of visiting Tufi in April 2025. She called this trip the all rounder due to the photo opportunities underwater, on land and from above.

Her 22 years of diving are marked by growth as a diver and working hard to perfect her craft. This enables her to bring you the best tips to create your best images regardless of the environment and feel comfortable in the water at the same time.

Our vessel- The Sea Hunter

Who is this trip for?

In a nutshell, this expedition is for ocean, nature and wildlife lovers. Whether you’re starting in your underwater photography journey, are a more experienced shooter or just love diving and want to enjoy Papua New Guinea with or without a camera, we would love to have you.

Bring your wide angle and macro lenses for beautiful wall dives and pack your portrait and telelenses for the land portion of this trip. Immerse yourself in the day to day life of the local people on the fjords cruise and village visit. Fly the drone over crystal clear waters or just enjoy the views.

As a diver, the minimum requirements are advanced or equivalent with at least 50 logged dives and current within the last 6 months.

Image taken at Mullaway Reef at Tufi

Underwater Photography Workshop

Learn the art of capturing remarkable images during eight days of diving and adventure. This expedition will allow you to progress and finesse your creativity and technique.

For those jumping on the photography train, this expedition will begin with a phone or face to face consultation with Vanessa; a quick healthcheck on your gear and comfort shooting underwater.

Before departing and for those in Sydney, we include a half day dry workshop which will provide you with practical techniques. This is a perfect opportunity to learn how to make your current setup work for you and get those desired images. Stop, think and shoot followed by review and applying feedback.

Throughout the expedition there will be opportunities to review images and plan ahead to get the most out of every dive. We know the struggle, we promise, we have been there before.

Book Now

Visit the fjords on a private cruise and enjoy the breathtaking views and landscapes