Superyacht Guide Award
2 Stars - Good yachting destination
Preliminary Superyacht Guide destination note pending full editorial assessment. Cocos Island has recognised yachting, expedition, strategic, charter or itinerary merit but has not yet been assessed for a higher Destination Star rating.
Last reviewed: May 10, 2026
Destination Stars are editorial ratings based on cruising appeal, marina access, hospitality, scenery, events, seasonality and available information.
Cocos Island is a remote Costa Rica expedition yacht destination with world-class diving, sharks, marine life and strict protected-area rules.
Cocos Island is a remote Costa Rica expedition yacht destination with world-class diving, sharks, marine life and strict protected-area rules.
Cocos Island is included as a preliminary Superyacht Guide destination because it has strategic, charter, expedition, passage-making, cultural or island-cruising relevance. Some of these destinations are established yacht cruising grounds, while others are specialist expedition or route-planning destinations that need careful local support.
For owners and guests, Cocos Island can form part of a wider itinerary involving beaches, reefs, wildlife, culture, marinas, remote anchorages, canal transits, expedition shore landings, diving, rainforests or Atlantic-Pacific passage planning. Its current Destination Star rating is deliberately capped pending full editorial assessment.
| Region | North America |
|---|---|
| Local region / area | Eastern Tropical Pacific |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| City / main area | Cocos Island |
| Destination type | Remote diving expedition destination |
| Cruising area | Eastern Pacific / Costa Rica |
| Best season | June to November for advanced diving; December to May for calmer seas |
| Best time to visit | Timing depends on diving goals, weather and marine-life expectations. |
| Season | Eastern Pacific expedition diving seasons |
| Charter appeal | Very high specialist diving appeal |
| Nearest airport | Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) |
|---|---|
| Airport access | Most logistics begin from mainland Costa Rica before long-range yacht transfer. |
| Marina access | Cocos Island is remote and expedition-led with no conventional marina access. |
| Superyacht berthing | Permits, park rules, long-range fuel, diving safety and environmental planning are essential. |
| Luxury hotels | Expedition yacht accommodation; mainland Costa Rica luxury hotels pre/post itinerary |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | Yacht-based expedition hospitality |
| Attractions | Cocos Island; hammerhead sharks; rays; remote rainforest; waterfalls; protected marine areas |
| Events | events.EventPage.None |