Liveaboard Diving in Bajo Alcyone
What To Expect On a Bajo Alcyone Liveaboard
Liveaboards to Bajo Alcyone will normally be as part of a dive trip incorporating all the sites of the Cocos Islands. Virtually every liveaboard itinerary will stop here for some time, allowing divers to experience some of the best shark diving in the world. Once you jump into the pleasantly warm waters of this famous site, you'll soon realise why divers consistently sail nearly 2 days to get here. Superb visibility, incredible biodiversity, and the sight of circling groups of over 100 Scalloped Hammerheads, give this unbelievable site it's well deserved status amongst the finest scuba diving spots on the planet.
What You Can See
Live aboard dive boats come here for one main reason: Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks. Arguably there's no better place to view these incredible creatures than this isolated spot off the Costa Rican Pacific coast. Their distinct body shape form some stunning silhouettes as they swim in the sunlight above groups of divers, allowing fantastic opportunities for underwater photography enthusiasts.
The sheer numbers of Hammerheads on show will mesmerise even those that are expecting it, and even after a few dives over several days, we've yet to hear of anyone tiring at the view! They are often found in groups of over 100, a site very rarely seen across the entire globe. Liveaboard dive cruises to this region tend to last for at least 10 days, giving guests ample time to dive with these beautiful animals, as well as relax on board in style.
The Hammerheads are present all year round, although they are in their highest numbers during the wet season which runs from June through to December. The dry season however offers the best visibility and calm seas, and so in truth there really is no bad time to be underwater here.
Although the main draw is the Hammerheads (and rightly so), there's no shortage of other marine life to be seen at Bajo Alcyone in addition to the premier attraction. Manta and Mobula Rays are normally present, attracted by cleaning stations in the area. There are also several different shark species to complement what you will have already encountered - including Whitetips, Blacktips, Silvertips and Silkys. It really is a world class site, and a true pleasure to dive at, which will no doubt be one of the main highlights of any liveaboard trip to Costa Rica.
Getting to Bajo Alcyone
As it is within the Cocos Islands, some 550 kilometres from the Costa Rican mainland, diving at Bajo Alcyone is only possible on a dive liveaboard cruise. These normally depart from the port of Punterenas, a 90 minute drive from the country's capital San Jose. Guests can either arrange their own accommodation in the city and then transfer to Punterenas, although commonly liveaboard operators will include these as part of the itinerary.
Getting to San Jose is straight forward as it has a well served international airport, flying to and from many destinations across the Americas. If you are coming from elsewhere, your route will often involve changing in the United States.
Some longer term travellers will arrive in Costa Rica overland also, as it is well connected to it's neighbouring Central American countries.
Bajo Alcyone Diving Reviews
- 8.8 Fabulous
- 54 Verified Reviews
- 6.0 Review score
- Kristi S
![United States]()
United States
We did one dive at this site and it wasn't very memorable
Diving Bajo Alcyone in December on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.2 Superb
- Mary S
![United States]()
United States
Pretty good. Lots of current.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in April on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.6 Exceptional
- David D
![United States]()
United States
All diving in Cocos is great. Alcyone is a long panga ride but worth the trip.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in April on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 8.8 Fabulous
- David F
![United States]()
United States
Alcyone was one of a couple of great dive sites. Listen to the guides; they know best.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in May on the Argo
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Michael P
![United States]()
United States
Regardless of the weather, sea life every dive had something to offer if you desired to take it in.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in June on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 6.4 Review score
- Stephanie Y
![United States]()
United States
We dived twice in Alcyone: first one was almost empty of fish or something that called our attention and the second one was good enough: some sharks, morays...
Diving Bajo Alcyone in November on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Peter Anthony Z
![United States]()
United States
One of the best dive sites with it abundance of hammerheads and other sharks
Diving Bajo Alcyone in October on the Sea Hunter
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Linda M
![United States]()
United States
We dove Alcyone twice. You drop in and do down the line as current can be strong. Half way down the line a big Tiger Shark came in to check us out. Also had lots of other sharks at the cleaning station.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in May on the Argo
- 9.2 Superb
- Chad L
![United States]()
United States
Alcyone was one of our few okay dives- for whatever reason that site on that day had several sharks and rays and light current- great diving but Manuelita and Dirty Rock were where the wildlife was really happening this trip.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in July on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Jennifer P
![United States]()
United States
We had 2 dives there. One was better than other. Its a long tonga ride out in rough conditions. We didn't have the typical views with 50+ hammers there but still great views and lots of activity.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in June on the Argo
- 8.4 Very good
- Brian B
![United States]()
United States
Always strong current and deep dive. No sharks but lots of jacks, trevally, tuna.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in October on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.2 Superb
- Jesus S
![Spain]()
Spain
Awesome, one of the best sports to enjoy huge hammerhead schools.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in August on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 8.4 Very good
- Anette S
![Norway]()
Norway
The first morning dive in Alcyone was amazing. a lot of Galapagos shark. An real eating an octopus and many hammerheads. the visibility was actually pretty good this dive
Diving Bajo Alcyone in September on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 9.2 Superb
- Alexander S
![Austria]()
Austria
one of the best diving sites there
Diving Bajo Alcyone in November on the Argo Liveaboard
- 9.2 Superb
- Christophe M
![France]()
France
Alcyone was a bit poor but December is not the season for the famous picture, however Manuelita was on fire? guides were good.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in December on the Argo Liveaboard
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Nora S
![Hungary]()
Hungary
Spectacular with hammerheads, lobsters, marble rays, tip sharks
Diving Bajo Alcyone in March on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Andreas S
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
The best dives of the trip. Hundreds of scalloped hammers schooling and circling. Epic, jaw dropping stuff!
Diving Bajo Alcyone in October on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Lena L
![Norway]()
Norway
Amazing dive site. Dirty Rock and Alcyone by far my favourite dive sites, followed by Manuelita on an honorable mention
Diving Bajo Alcyone in June on the Sea Hunter
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Natsumi U
![Japan]()
Japan
Other group found a lot of Hummer heads, but we saw only a few.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in February on the Sea Hunter
- 8.0 Very good
- Malcolm C
![Malta]()
Malta
Incredible - “fish soup” on an open exposed reef with ripping currents ! Challenging but very rewarding - great fun.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in July on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Takashi D
![Japan]()
Japan
Alcyone is one of the best dive site in Cocos. Hummer head sharks, jacks, and especially I met dolphins.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in July on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.6 Exceptional
- LILING Y
![China]()
China
1. The first time, I did not hold the rope to dive down, which was very dangerous due to heavy flow, but I saw a lot of hammerhead sharks
Diving Bajo Alcyone in September on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 8.0 Very good
- Sebastien F
![France]()
France
One dive was wonderful. On a second dive, we almost saw no sharks at all
Diving Bajo Alcyone in November on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Ulrika W
![Sweden]()
Sweden
This is where we saw most of the hammerhead schools!! So great!
Diving Bajo Alcyone in December on the Argo
- 7.6 Good
- Alvaro D
![Spain]()
Spain
Three dives there: all with big schools of jacks and one with a nice family of dolphins. Hammerheads are quite deep in summer season, no encounters.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in December on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Joy Alan S
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
One of the best diving sites on our trip!
Diving Bajo Alcyone in January on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Moritz N
![Germany]()
Germany
One of the best, if not the best diving site at Cocos.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in January on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 8.4 Very good
- Davide C
![Italy]()
Italy
A nice dive site, with lots of jack fish and pelagic exemplars passing by.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in January on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 8.4 Very good
- Jaymini P
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Epic - schools of hammerheads, white tips, black tips, galapagos, marble rays, eagle rays, mobula rays, manta rays, yellow fin tuna and schools of jacks
Diving Bajo Alcyone in February on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Petra H
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
Strong currents with school of hammerheads
Diving Bajo Alcyone in March on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 8.4 Very good
- Jerome L
![France]()
France
Great - dived Alcyone several times ; it can be a bit choppy on the surface.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in September on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Niklas P
![Sweden]()
Sweden
Great, we had a huge wall of hammerheads there.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in December on the Okeanos Aggressor
- 8.0 Very good
- Nora I
![Spain]()
Spain
No fue mi llegar favorito. No tuvimos buena visibilidad y no había muchos martillos.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in February on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.2 Superb
- Denis E
![United Kingdom]()
United Kingdom
Alcyone was probably the best of all the dive sites.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in February on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Efrain I
![Panama]()
Panama
Place seems like a great dive site. We had current and surge which made it a bit complicated for some on the group. Would have liked to do a second dive at the site, but the majority of the group voted to go somewhere else.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in March on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.2 Superb
- Jörg W
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
a lot of current; not reachable without the line; the Colesseum at the bottom was amazing with many fish, including hammerheads
Diving Bajo Alcyone in April on the Okeanos Aggressor II
- 9.2 Superb
- kristoffer G
![Denmark]()
Denmark
great diving, poor visibility
Diving Bajo Alcyone in October on the Sea Hunter
- 7.6 Good
- Luis L
![Canada]()
Canada
That was one of the better places. Saw lots of sharks, but they weren't that close to us. Still, it was a great dive there.
Diving Bajo Alcyone in December on the Okeanos Aggressor
