Dive Site: Pajara Island

About Pajara Island

Pajara Island, located off Cocos Island, is known for its tranquil diving conditions and thriving marine ecosystem. This site stands out as a calmer alternative to many of Cocos' more challenging locations, making it suitable for divers seeking a more relaxed experience while still immersed in the rich biodiversity of the region. The topography features extensive coral gardens and sandy areas, providing a diverse habitat for various marine species. Depths typically range within recreational limits, often explored between 5 and 30 meters. This gentle profile allows for leisurely exploration, showcasing an intricate mosaic of underwater life. While Cocos Island is celebrated for its large pelagics, Pajara Island consistently delivers sightings of numerous reef inhabitants, alongside regular encounters with whitetip reef sharks. Hammerhead sharks are also occasionally observed patrolling the deeper sandy patches, adding a thrilling pelagic element. The clearer waters, often exceeding 15 meters visibility, enhance the viewing experience of both macro and medium-sized subjects. Diving here typically involves tender entries from a liveaboard, with generally mild currents facilitating comfortable underwater exploration. The site's protected nature ensures a comfortable dive, focusing on the abundant local marine life, and it is frequently paired with nearby Viking Rock for a comprehensive diving itinerary.

Dive site facts: Pajara Island

Depth

5–30 m

Typical dive

18–30 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

15–30 m

Water temperature

22–29 °C

Entry

Tender

Level

Open Water Diver, current experience helpful

Dive type

Reef, pelagic, observation

Night dive

Not permitted

Region / port

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Coordinates

5.5600° N, 87.0750° W

Conditions & Currents

Pajara Island typically experiences milder currents compared to many other dive sites around Cocos Island, providing a more relaxed and comfortable dive environment. While generally calm, some general power may be present, necessitating tender entry to position divers optimally relative to any prevailing flow. Visibility is often excellent, ranging from 15 to 30 meters, contributing to a clear view of the diverse marine life. Water temperatures generally range from 22°C to 29°C, though thermoclines can be encountered, especially at deeper depths, which may require a thicker wetsuit. The site's protected nature makes for straightforward entries and exits, focusing on leisurely exploration rather than combating strong conditions, making it suitable for divers who prefer less strenuous current management.

Marine life & sighting chances

Whitetip reef shark

common

Scalloped hammerhead shark

occasional

Moray eel

common

Lobster

common

Octopus

occasional

Spotted ray

occasional

Garden eel

occasional

Trumpetfish

occasional

Snapper

common

Blue Jack

common

Tiger Shark

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Pajara Island typically begin with a tender drop either along the main reef line or onto sandy patches surrounding the island. Divers descend into generally clear waters with minimal current, facilitating a relaxed exploration of the site. The route often involves circumnavigating the main rock formations, maintaining depths between 5 and 30 meters to observe the vibrant coral and abundant reef fish. Expect to encounter resident whitetip reef sharks cruising or resting on the bottom, while hammerheads are occasionally seen patrolling the deeper sandy areas. The dive concludes with a gradual ascent, allowing for a safety stop in the shallower, protected sections of the site, where visibility remains excellent for observing juvenile fish and smaller invertebrates.

Underwater photography

Pajara Island's clear waters and diverse marine life offer excellent photography opportunities for both wide-angle and macro enthusiasts. For capturing the expansive coral gardens, schooling reef fish, or the occasional hammerhead in its environment, a fisheye or wide rectilinear lens is ideal. When focusing on smaller subjects like nudibranchs, gobies, or frogfish, a dedicated macro lens will highlight intricate details. Maintaining good buoyancy control is crucial to protect the delicate reef structure. Using strobes is highly recommended to restore the natural colors of corals and fish, especially in deeper sections or when shooting against the ambient light. The relatively calm conditions at this site provide ample time to compose shots without battling strong currents, making it a rewarding location for photographers of all levels.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Viking Rock

  Often combined with Pajara Island for relaxed dives, sharing similar tranquil conditions and marine life.

• Dirty Rock

  A renowned site for schooling hammerheads and other pelagics, often with stronger currents, offering a contrast to Pajara.

• Manuelita Coral Garden

  A protected site known for abundant whitetip reef sharks and colorful reef fish, providing another calm diving option.

• Small Dos Amigos

  A special place to see Galapagos Sharks and hammerheads at cleaning stations, often with surface currents.

• Punta Maria

  Known for its outside pinnacle, occasionally experiencing strong currents.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Pajara Island is exclusively via liveaboard, typically departing from Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The crossing to Cocos Island is a significant journey, usually taking 32-36 hours. Liveaboard trips generally span 10-11 days, with 6-7 days dedicated to diving around Cocos Island. Divers should plan to arrive in San Jose (SJO) and then transfer to Puntarenas. It is highly recommended to book an extra night on land before flying out due to potential delays in the return journey. All diving activities occur within the Cocos Island National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and specific park fees are usually included in liveaboard packages. This site is commonly integrated into multi-day itineraries that explore various Cocos Island dive locations.

Safety & environment

Due to its remote location, safety protocols are paramount when diving Pajara Island. The nearest recompression chamber is on mainland Costa Rica, necessitating a lengthy evacuation process in case of a serious diving incident. Divers must carry comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation. Site-specific hazards include occasional mild currents, which are managed by tender entries and thorough dive briefings. It is crucial for divers to stay with their group and follow the guide's instructions. While the site is generally calmer, the surrounding Cocos Island environment is for experienced divers due to its remote nature and potential for stronger currents at other sites. Adequate gas planning and maintaining good buoyancy are essential to prevent accidents and protect the delicate marine environment.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Pajara Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Pajara Island

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

Okeanos Aggressor II

Costa Rica

24 guests36.6 m

$582/day

Cocos Aggressor

Costa Rica

22 guests37.8 m

$477/day

Sea Hunter

Costa Rica

20 guests

$690/day