COCOS ISLAND—If you’ve ever wanted to study sharks, now is your chance.
Turtle Island Restoration Network, an ocean conservation nonprofit based in California, leads
multiple 10-day liveaboard dive expeditions to Cocos Island, Costa Rica every year. But these
trips are more than a dive trip.
In addition to viewing and photographing the incredible marine biodiversity of the Eastern
Tropical Pacific, trip participants have the unique opportunity to work alongside and assist Turtle
Island Restoration Network’s team of marine biologists to understand the unique characteristics
of the region — and to protect its underwater inhabitants — by catching turtles, conducting
shark counts, photo-documenting species, recording data, observing shark tagging, and more.
Despite its remote location and designation as a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage
site, the waters of Cocos Island face the same threats as marine ecosystems everywhere —
including illegal fishing within its borders.
For more than ten years, Turtle Island Restoration Network Founder and Executive Director
Todd Steiner has lead teams of scientists, volunteers, and dive masters to collect data on highly
migratory species that use Cocos Island for refuge. This information is being used to improve
management strategies and to encourage consideration of the creation of protected swimways
for these species as they migrate between various “hotspots” in the Eastern Pacific that provide
feeding, spawning, and nursery grounds.
Cocos Island Dive Expeditions include an 11 day/10 night cruise, meals and drinks, divemaster
service, three to four incredible dives per day, and nitrox fills, tanks, and weights. As a public
charity, payment towards a Turtle Island Restoration Network dive expedition may be
tax-deductible, and we also offer payment plans.
To ensure the research that is setting the basis for better protections continues to be collected,
Turtle Island Restoration Network is currently offering discounts for their expeditions. Look for future discounts click here