Cocos
Liveaboard expedition to one of the sharkiest dive locations in the world famous for Hammerhead sharks
Cocos Island Marine Park is situated in the middle of deep, deep water. Pelagic animals take a break from their journeys here and relax, clean or feed off the steep drop-offs. We are going to be going to diving in the wettest season of the year. As you can expect from an Insider Divers expedition, there is a reason - this is when you can expect the most action. It's smack in the middle of the best time for the really massive schools of hammerheads. The island is famous for its Tigersharks and you can expect many close passes by the big ladies.
OUR PROMISE
Insider Divers thrive to create the best possible scuba expeditions by selecting the optimal season and best operator for every destination.
- SEASON: Diving is all year around, but summer has the most of action.
- OPERATOR: We are working with the most reliable company
- GROUP TRIP: Diving with other ocean lovers
- INSIDER: Your group leader handles logistics will enrich your experience with wildlife talks and provide professional photos as a memory.
Our next planned expedition will be in the summer of 2028. Please check back here or email us for the waiting list.
Overview
Animals
Accommodation
Nautilus Explorer
A former commercial diving support boat, Nautilus Explorer is a Canadian built ship that was custom designed for divers to the highest possible level of comfort and safety with a layout that utilizes every square foot of available space. It is superbly equipped to deliver Dive Safari Adventurers in a stable manner to spectacular dive sites (thanks to zero-speed stabilizers). The Nautilus Explorer offers unparalleled diving experiences. Custom-built for stability, comfort, and safety, it features 13 cabins, ranging from economical triple occupancy to luxurious suites.
Nautilus Explorer
Twin Stateroom
Comfortable staterooms with soft bedding, private bath and individually controlled AC.
Superior Suite
Three superior suites on the hot-tub deck measure 145 sq. ft and have large exterior windows. They each have private facilities, a desk and either bureau or wardrobe. Two of these suites have doors that open directly outside. The third suite boasts a large flat screen TV and DVD player.
Premium Suite
Premium suite is also located on the hot-tub deck and is twice the size of the other suites. It’s larger than many hotel suites! It has a bedroom and a separate lounge featuring a floor to ceiling picture window with an incredible view out onto the oceans cape. The bathroom even features a full-size bath-tub.
Activities
Shark Diving
Shark Diving
You will see sharks on every dive. Cocos is famous for it's hammerheads but you will also see huge Galapagos sharks on most dives. We often encounter various species of other sharks as well, such as oceanic black tips or silky sharks.
Of course we also hope to see Whalesharks as well.
Current Diving
Current Diving
A lot of the dives are so fabulous because of the currents that range from medium to strong. Rather than using a reef hook we wear gloves and hold on
Trip leader
Simon Lorenz
Simon is an award winning photographer, PADI instructor and TDI tech diver. He is the founder of Insider Divers and the main group leader on our trips. Having dived all over the world he often felt unsatisfied by the dive operations, by the background knowledge of the guides and by the inflexibility of the itineraries. This inspired him to create Insider Divers, where groups of fun international divers get the best possible itinerary.
REsponsibilities
- Briefings
- All organisation and logistics
- Wildlife presentations
- Scuba and photography coaching
- Taking and sharing professional underwater photography
Itinerary
Inclusions
- Accommodation based on twin share
- All Diving
- Full board, snacks and soft drink
- Airport transfers
- Wildlife Presentations
- Towels, soap & shampoo
- Safety equipment such as Nautilus Lifeline
- Professional photos
- Access to Insider Divers Portal
- FREE T-shirt
- Cocos NPPark Fee
- Flights & local hotel
- Wifi
- Nitrox (mandatory on all ID trips)
- Equipment rental
- Tips
Reviews
Simon and the Insider Divers team provide exceptional concierge service from the time your plane touches down until you (sadly) have to return to reality.
I had the pleasure of experiencing the Cocos 2025 trip. It exceeded all expectations. Everything you imagine to see we saw- schooling hammers, mantas, dolphins darting in and out of bait balls, a tiger shark and even a whale shark.
This was a trip of a lifetime. Thank you!
We had an incredible trip to Cocos! Everything was perfectly organized and Simon made sure we had a great time. We didn't have to worry about anything other than enjoying ourselves.
The boat, crew and all the Insider Divers team were amazing. And the group was fantastic! We also had the opportunity to learn about sharks and uwphoto.
It was our first trip with Insider Divers but won't be the last for sure.
Insider Divers offers a fantastic diving experience. I took my first trip with them to Cocos island to see the hammerheads this past month. The group of divers were positive, experienced and fun.
Simon led us in a well run trip with a liveaboard that had the best crew I’ve experienced. I learned a lot about sharks, gained more confidence in diving, and felt respected and a part of an amazing group of divers.
I will always be looking for ways to dive with this group of Insider Divers!
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FAQ
What dive experience do I need for this trip?
This destination offers accessible diving conditions, yet it is not suitable for absolute beginners. To join, participants must have:
- A minimum of 50 logged dives
- Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification or higher
- Nitrox certification (mandatory on all Insider Divers trips to ensure longer, safer dives)
This is a great trip for people doing their first time on a liveaboard as the water is calm and we never experience rough seas.
What should I pack and bring?
As part of our process you will receive a log in to our Insider Divers portal which will have downloads, such as an extensive packing list after signing up.
We do recommend bringing your own gear but you can also rent everything on site.
Will I get seasick?
This destination can be challenging for those prone to seasickness, as the boat must cross over 340 miles of open ocean to reach the island group. During the 36-hour crossing, swells or rough weather can occasionally make for a bumpy ride, though conditions at this time of year are usually calm. The same applies to two overnight transfers between islands, where some choppiness may occur.
If you are sensitive to seasickness, we strongly recommend bringing medication for these crossings. Tablets work well for most guests, while patches can be especially effective for those who are more prone to seasickness.
What marine life can I expect in the Cocos?
Expect huge schools of scalloped hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, whale sharks, manta and mobula rays, eagle rays, turtles. Dolphins, whales and even Orcas are also a possiblity.
We’re here to help — reach out with any question you may have.