Cocos Island National Park

Cocos Island Overview

Cocos Island National Park, known as Parque Nacional Isla del Coco in Spanish, is a remote and ecologically rich national park located approximately 340 miles (550 kilometers) off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Covering an area of about 8.5 square miles (22 square kilometers), with an additional 7,600 square miles (19,800 square kilometers) of protected marine waters, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its incredible biodiversity, pristine waters, and significance as a global conservation area.

The park’s landscape is defined by its rugged volcanic terrain, dramatic cliffs, and dense tropical rainforest. Cocos Island, the only landmass within the park, is covered in thick, lush vegetation sustained by heavy rainfall throughout the year.

With elevations reaching up to 2,080 feet (634 meters) at Cerro Iglesias, the island is characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys, and numerous waterfalls cascading down its cliffs, the most famous being Genio and Pittier Waterfalls. The island’s forests are teeming with ferns, mosses, and endemic plant species, making it one of the most pristine and untouched rainforests in the world.

Cocos Island National Park is renowned for its extraordinary marine and terrestrial wildlife. The surrounding waters are a hotspot for large pelagic species, including schools of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, and dolphins.

It is one of the few places in the world where divers can witness massive congregations of scalloped hammerhead sharks. The island itself is home to endemic bird species such as the Cocos finch and the Cocos flycatcher, along with seabirds like the red-footed booby and frigatebirds.

Among the island’s mammals, the pig and deer populations introduced by past visitors have impacted the native ecosystem, but conservation efforts have focused on restoring the island’s natural balance.

Visitors to Cocos Island primarily experience the park through diving and snorkeling, as it is considered one of the best diving destinations in the world. The underwater topography, with its caves, pinnacles, and steep drop-offs, provides habitats for an incredible variety of marine life.

Dive sites such as Bajo Alcyone, Dirty Rock, and Manuelita Island are world-famous for shark encounters and vibrant coral reefs. Due to its remote location, access to Cocos Island is strictly regulated, and visitors must travel by liveaboard boat, which takes about 36 hours from the mainland.

Apart from diving, visitors can explore parts of the island through guided hikes, where they can witness the lush forest, waterfalls, and historical remnants left by pirates who once sought refuge there.

Conservation efforts in Cocos Island National Park have been extensive, given its ecological importance and challenges. Illegal fishing, particularly shark finning, has been a persistent issue, and park rangers work to patrol the vast marine protected area.

Costa Rica has strengthened its conservation policies in recent years, expanding the marine reserve and implementing stricter enforcement against poaching. Scientific research and international collaborations continue to support the park’s preservation, ensuring its unique biodiversity remains intact for future generations.

Park Map

Cocos Island National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Despite its small land area, Cocos Island National Park is home to several seabird species that nest on its cliffs and trees. These birds rely on the surrounding marine environment for food.

Red-footed Booby (Sula sula)
This seabird is distinguished by its red feet and blue beak. It is an expert diver, plunging into the water to catch fish and squid.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
Another skilled fisher, the brown booby has a dark brown body with a white belly. They often hunt by diving from great heights into the ocean.

Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra)
The largest of the booby species found at Cocos Island, the masked booby has a striking black mask and white plumage. They are known for their powerful diving abilities.

White Tern (Gygis alba)
Nicknamed the “fairy tern,” this delicate white bird is often seen gracefully flying over the island, feeding on small fish caught from the ocean surface.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
With a massive wingspan and a distinctive red throat pouch, the magnificent frigatebird is an aerial predator that steals fish from other seabirds.

Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor)
Similar to its magnificent cousin, the great frigatebird also soars over the island, using its impressive flying skills to snatch food from the water or other birds.

Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus)
This nocturnal gull has a striking appearance with red-ringed eyes and a forked tail. It is unique among gulls for its nighttime hunting habits.

Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus)
A dark-feathered seabird, the brown noddy is often seen nesting on rocky cliffs and feeding on fish close to the island’s shores.

Black Noddy (Anous minutus)
Smaller than the brown noddy, the black noddy has similar feeding behaviors but prefers to nest in trees rather than on rocky cliffs.

Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana)
A migratory shorebird, the wandering tattler is often seen foraging along the rocky coastlines of Cocos Island during the winter months.

Cocos Island National Park remains one of the most biodiverse marine reserves in the world, offering a safe haven for both its aquatic and avian inhabitants.

Cocos Island National Park, a remote and pristine marine paradise off the coast of Costa Rica, is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, particularly its rich marine life. The park is a hotspot for divers and marine biologists, who come to witness its abundant populations of sharks, rays, and other large ocean dwellers.

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini)
One of the most iconic species of Cocos Island, the scalloped hammerhead shark is often seen in large schools around the island’s waters. These sharks use the area as a crucial feeding and breeding ground.

Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus)
These smaller reef sharks are commonly found resting on the seabed during the day. They are nocturnal hunters, preying on fish and crustaceans in the coral reefs surrounding the island.

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
A powerful apex predator, the tiger shark is known for its varied diet and ability to consume almost anything. It is frequently spotted in the deep waters around Cocos Island.

Manta Ray (Mobula birostris)
These graceful giants can reach wingspans of up to 23 feet. They are filter feeders, consuming plankton as they glide through the ocean. Their majestic movements are a highlight for divers.

Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Named after the Galápagos Islands, this shark species is common in the deep waters around Cocos Island. They are known for their curious nature and often approach divers.

Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
Recognized by their smooth, sleek skin, silky sharks are fast swimmers found in the open waters surrounding the island. They are highly migratory and often travel in groups.

Marbled Ray (Taeniurops meyeni)
A large species of stingray with a distinctive mottled pattern, the marbled ray is often seen gliding along the ocean floor, searching for small fish and invertebrates.

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Cocos Island provides a vital habitat for green sea turtles, which use the island’s waters for feeding and mating. These turtles are essential for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

Dolphins (Delphinidae)
Several dolphin species, including bottlenose and spinner dolphins, are found around Cocos Island. They are often seen playfully swimming alongside boats and divers.

Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)
A highly prized species for its speed and strength, the yellowfin tuna is commonly seen darting through the open ocean near Cocos Island, often attracting large predators.