Undersea Hunter & Sea Hunter

Dive Remote Cocos Island, Costa Rica on a Voyage
Steeped in Adventure….
Text provide by Eric Hanauer.

Continue the adventure by adding mainland tours in the rainforest, hot springs, tree top canopy and river rafting...

The thrill of sailing is matched only by the thrill of discovery. Samuel Eliot Morison once remarked that the sailor/discovered extraordinaire, Christopher Columbus, ?enjoyed long stretches of pure delight such a seaman may know, and moments of high, proud exultation that only a discoverer can experience.? With outstanding vessels and a remarkable destination, the Hunter vessels’ unique voyages to Cocos Island, Costa Rica capture the sense of discovery and delight that sailing has long inspired.

Like Columbus, the Hunter ships pride themselves on exploring unique territory. Located 300 miles southwest of Costa Rica, Cocos Island is an isolated ocean oasis. For decades, pirates and adventurers used the island as a hideout. Now, as Cocos continues to concentrate marine life from hundreds of miles around, it is recognized as one of the last wild places on earth.

Cocos offers some of the finest big animal scuba diving in the entire world. In an era haunted by ecological Catastrophe, Cocos offers an example of natural harmony. Hammerheads, giant manta rays, bottle-nose dolphins, whale sharks and millions of smaller fish all call Cocos home.

While Cocos Island is an excellent sanctuary for marine life, it takes special ships and an unusual crew to make the trip here. Cocos is difficult to access and inhospitable to humans. Under the guidance of Avi Klapfer and Yosy Naanan, however, the Undersea Hunter and Sea Hunter bring civilized comfort to this uncivilized gem.

Since the maiden voyage in October of 1990. the Hunter ships have completed over 300 successful trips to Cocos. Designed for commercial diving and research, the sturdy, user-friendly vessels are impeccably maintained. The boats carry enough food, water, diving gear and supplies to keep up to 18 passengers and 8 crew members comfortable for weeks.

In remote Cocos, it takes more than supplies to keep divers happy. It takes specially designed vessels and an expert crew. Few operators in the world have Klapfer and Naaam’s breadth of experience. The ships’ designs reflect their expertise. Large dive decks, huge storage rooms and workshops and impeccable service systems ensure that the vessels are prepared to deal with the most extreme situations without sacrificing guests’ comfort.

In addition, the Undersea Hunter and Sea Hunter each have two powerful fiberglass skiffs, a necessity at Cocos where the Island is merely a speck in the wind-blow sea. Just as the real ocean requires real boats, real boats require powerful hoisting machines. It is a tribute to the ships’ meticulous designs that both vessels have 12 –tons cranes.

While many live-aboard offer adventure, few offer a destination as remote and surprising as Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Cocos is special because not everybody can get there. The Hunter boats are special because they can.

Adventure diving in Cocos Islands and adventure land tours in Costa Rica — a great combination. You are met at the boat upon your return to Puntarenas and taken on an privately escorted land tour to Monteverde Rain & Cloud Forest Reserve, and/or Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs that can include tree-top canopy and whitewater river rafting. After the tour we return you to your hotel in San Jose for departure. This is a flexible tour and we can set up the itinerary according to your preference.

NOTE: Do you lack confidence in your diving skills for the advanced diving in Cocos Islands? Consider this! Arrange for three or four days of land-based, Pacific Ocean scuba diving in the Gulf of Papagayo before departing for Cocos Islands and improve your skills. We arrange all the accommodations, diving and transportation.


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