Dive Site: Dos Amigos

About Dos Amigos

Big Dos Amigos is one of the premier dive sites located on the southern side of Cocos Island, approximately 342 miles off Costa Rica's Pacific coast. This site is renowned for its dramatic underwater topography, notably a large rock formation featuring an arch that extends down to 34 meters (110 feet) and a 60-foot pinnacle situated off its southeast side. These structures attract a remarkable concentration of pelagic species, making Cocos Island a world-class destination for advanced divers. The dive at Big Dos Amigos typically explores depths ranging from 18 to 40 meters (60 to 131 feet), circling the prominent arch and pinnacle. The arch itself provides refuge and hunting grounds for various marine life, while the surrounding open water is a highway for larger pelagics. Divers can expect to encounter diverse ecosystems, from rocky ledges to sandy bottoms, each hosting different species. Marine life sightings at Big Dos Amigos are consistently impressive, with frequent encounters of whitetip and hammerhead sharks, rays, snappers, groupers, and lobsters. During the rainy season, from May to November, there is an increased likelihood of observing schooling hammerhead sharks. The site also commonly features rainbow runners, yellowtail snapper, and bigeye jacks, often moving in large schools. Given its depth profile and sometimes strong currents, Big Dos Amigos is best suited for experienced divers. Currents can reach up to 2 knots, requiring careful entry and positioning, often involving holding onto rocks. Dives are typically conducted from tenders, and while night diving is not offered at Cocos Island, multiple daytime dives are standard for liveaboard itineraries.

Dive site facts: Dos Amigos

Depth

10–30 m

Typical dive

25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Strong

Visibility

15–30 m

Water temperature

22–24°C

Entry

Tender / Negative entry

Level

Advanced, current experience

Dive type

Pelagic, drift, cleaning station

Night dive

Not permitted

Region / port

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Coordinates

5.525, -87.105

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Big Dos Amigos can be significant, sometimes reaching speeds of up to 2 knots. These currents typically necessitate advanced diving skills, including the ability to hold steady on rocks to observe marine life without being swept away. Divers should be prepared for varying current directions and strengths, which can change rapidly. All dives are conducted from tenders, allowing for precise entry and exit strategies tailored to prevailing conditions.

Marine life & sighting chances

Scalloped hammerhead shark

common

Whitetip reef shark

common

Eagle ray

occasional

Schooling jack

common

Snapper

common

Yellowtail snapper

common

Rainbow runner

common

Lobster

occasional

Blue-striped snapper

common

Pacific Creolefish

common

Whale shark

wet season · occasional

Manta ray

wet season · occasional

Galapagos shark

occasional

Silky shark

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

A typical dive at Dos Amigos begins with a swift descent, often a negative entry, to quickly reach the protected deeper sections of the cleaning stations. Divers commonly experience a mild drift, guided by the current, moving between Dos Amigos Grande and Dos Amigos Pequena. At Dos Amigos Grande, a large swim-through allows groups to enter, leading to a cleaning station at 30 meters where motionless hammerheads can be observed. The ascent involves exploring the archway formation and shallower walls, which are rich with yellowtail snappers and rainbow runners. For Dos Amigos Pequena, the dive starts over a volcanic slope, navigating surge to reach cleaning stations. The site is shaped like an inverted cone, populated by jacks, blue-striped snappers, and Pacific Creolefish. Safety stops are advised away from the rocks to avoid strong surge.

Underwater photography

Dos Amigos offers fantastic opportunities for wide-angle photography, especially when capturing the schooling hammerheads and the dramatic archway of Dos Amigos Grande. A fisheye or wide-angle lens is essential for conveying the scale of the pelagic action and the impressive topography. Given the frequent strong currents, maintaining good buoyancy is crucial for stable shots. External strobes are highly recommended to bring out color and detail, particularly in deeper sections or when shooting into the sun. Be mindful of ethical distance when photographing cleaning stations to avoid disturbing marine life, especially the hammerheads. An underwater flashlight or torch will be useful for highlighting lobsters and other inhabitants within the crevices of the reef walls.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Bajo Alcyone

  Bajo Alcyone, a submerged seamount near Cocos Island, stands as a world-renowned dive site.

• Dirty Rock

  Dirty Rock, an iconic dive site at Cocos Island, is primarily known as an exceptional location to encounter schooling hammerheads.

• Manuelita

  Manuelita is a renowned dive site located off Cocos Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated approximately 500 km off Costa Rica's…

• Silverado

  Silverado is a renowned dive site located within the extraordinary marine ecosystem of Cocos Island, approximately 500 kilometers southwest…

• Viking Rock

  Viking Rock, situated off Cocos Island, provides a serene and captivating dive experience, often serving as a peaceful counterpoint to the…

• Shark Fin Rock

  Shark Fin Rock is a prominent dive site within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cocos Island, located approximately 312 to 342 miles…

Getting there & logistics

Access to Dos Amigos is exclusively via liveaboard from Puntarenas, Costa Rica, after flying into San José (SJO). The boat journey to Cocos Island takes approximately 36 hours. Typical liveaboard trips span 7 to 10 nights, offering around 7 full days of diving. A Cocos Island National Park fee of approximately $490 per person, plus a $30 chamber fee, is required. It's crucial to arrive in San José at least one day before liveaboard departure. These trips are often combined with other Cocos Island sites like Bajo Alcyone and Dirty Rock.

Safety & environment

Diving at Dos Amigos and Cocos Island generally requires a high level of dive experience due to strong currents, deep dives, and remote location. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is 36 hours away in San José, making dive insurance and comprehensive travel insurance mandatory for all divers. Evacuation can be complex and time-consuming. Site-specific hazards include unpredictable currents, potential surge near rock formations, and deep profiles, necessitating excellent air management and buoyancy control. Always follow your dive guide's instructions closely, maintain appropriate distance from marine life, and never enter overhead environments without specialized training and equipment.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Dos Amigos FAQ

Liveaboards diving Dos Amigos

These liveaboards may visit Dos Amigos on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Cocos Aggressor

Costa Rica

22 guests37.8 m

$636/day

Sea Hunter

Costa Rica

20 guests

$690/day

Okeanos Aggressor II

Costa Rica

24 guests36.6 m

$504/day