Cocos Islands live aboard

HI everyone
I'm looking to book a live aboard to the Cocos Islands, Costa Rica for
summer 05. Does anyone have any recommendations for either the
Okenagos Aggressor or the Sea Hunter. Is the diving as good as all the
hype suggests? I'd welcome any advice whatsover on what type wetsuit
is needed for July and sea conditions during the crossing from the
mainland.
Many thanks.
Safe diving
Submersible Sid

sidinbermuda@hotmail.com (Submersible Sid) wrote in message news:<502489b8.0406161040.3c4ae73f@posting.google. com>...
> HI everyone
> I'm looking to book a live aboard to the Cocos Islands, Costa Rica for
> summer 05. Does anyone have any recommendations for either the
> Okenagos Aggressor or the Sea Hunter.

Yes. There are plenty of favorable trip reports on both in the archives.


> Is the diving as good as all the hype suggests?

Yup! What hype?


> I'd welcome any advice whatsover on what type wetsuit
> is needed for July and sea conditions during the crossing from the
> mainland.

1 to 5 mil wetsuit, depending on your body and cold-resistance.
Except for occasional thermoclines, the water temp should be in the
high 70s to 80 during that time. Crossing is ALWAYS rough.

What you should worry about the most is your own ability to be self-
reliant in strong and unpredictable currents. In 1992 I recommended
a diver to have at least a couple hundreds of dives under the belt
before attempting this location. I still hold that view, after a
return trip there 4 years ago.

-- Bob.

Sid I dive Cocos 4 years ago with the aggressor, the crossing was long 40
hours, and the boat was in need of a refit. However the diving was out of this
world. We were mored next to the Sea hunter which looked a newer boat. it is
also a little quicker than the Agressor. When I go again I will use the sea
hunter. Ther e is no Hype it is well worth the trip. If you can try to extend
your stay in Costa Ricca I did not and it is something I regret now.

"Submersible Sid" <sidinbermuda@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:502489b8.0406161040.3c4ae73f@posting.google.c om...
> HI everyone
> I'm looking to book a live aboard to the Cocos Islands, Costa Rica for
> summer 05. Does anyone have any recommendations for either the
> Okenagos Aggressor or the Sea Hunter. Is the diving as good as all the
> hype suggests? I'd welcome any advice whatsover on what type wetsuit
> is needed for July and sea conditions during the crossing from the
> mainland.
> Many thanks.
> Safe diving
> Submersible Sid

We dove Cocos a little over two years ago and did the Okeanos. While the
crew was very accomodating, it was in bad need of refurbishing, so I would
look to the Sea Hunter if this has not been done.

The diving is some of the best that I have ever done, but also some of the
most demanding. It is definitely not for newbies. One of the guys in our
group only had a hundred dives and was beat up quite a bit by the
currents -- to his credit he never gave up and never whined -- must have
been his Texan blood.

We dove the whole time in Polartecs and never got chilled, although some in
our group had on 3mms, vests, and hoods......... The crossing is rough and
takes around 36 hours, but IMHO it is worth every minute. Take some
Scopolamine patches if you get seasick very easy. Enjoy your trip!