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⚠️ Notice: Liveaboard Currently Unavailable.
🛠️ This diving liveaboard is not in operation at the moment — either undergoing a full refit or changing management.
🌊 Looking for an alternative? We'd be happy to help you find the perfect dive trip!
📧 Contact us at: contact@diveandcruise.com
Description
⚠️ Notice: Liveaboard Currently Unavailable.
🛠️ This diving liveaboard is not in operation at the moment — either undergoing a full refit or changing management.
🌊 Looking for an alternative? We'd be happy to help you find the perfect dive trip!
📧 Contact us at: contact@diveandcruise.com.
Boat
Argo is a very intentional blend of work ship and luxury steel yacht, 39 meters long, 8 meters wide with full global reach, cruising at 10 - 11 knots per hour. It was totally redesigned and refitted in 2008, conceived to serve as the ultimate platform for a deep-diving submersible as well as for remote operating vehicle deployment (R.O.V.).
Argo offers heavy lift capabilities, stability and ample deck space for any chore imaginable. Extended, multi-task cruises are her specialty and of course she is mothership to our remarkable DeepSee submersible.
On the main deck, there is the spacious main salon with comfortable seating a variety of nightly entertainment available onboard, including slide shows, DVDs, games and more. Please feel free to bring along your own favorites. The small refrigerator is constantly replenished. It contains soft drinks, beer and ice for your pleasure. Something to munch on is always within reach.
The menu aboard offers a delicious combination of American and local Costa Rican cuisine. Meals are varied, abundant and well balanced. There is fresh tropical fruit, salads, fish, chicken, beef, and much more. Everything is prepared in a variety of ways by one of our accomplished chefs.
On the upper deck, the bow offers a spacious area for guests to stroll and feel the ocean breezes. And there is another salon on this deck with comfortable seating, a library that provides a relaxed and private ambiance, a TV, VCR, DVD and personal computer where you can view and edit your video and digital photography.
The sun deck area is for your recreation. Please feel free to use it for relaxed outdoor reading, catching some rays or watching the sunsets. Here our chefs put on their sumptuous BBQs. It's even even perfect for dancing under the stars.
Argo's accessories consist of all standard diving gear including scuba, Nitrox, rebreather facilities and zero-speed stabilizers. Three, powerful, 24-foot skiffs serve as tender-boats, which perform submersible tracking duties, shepherding of divers to remote sites, ship-to-shore transfers and any other conceivable recreational or support related activities. All of our skiffs are powered by fumeless 4-cycle, 115 HP twin-outboard motors that can bring you rapidly to any dive site within an extended, safe radius of the mothership. They are further equipped with VHF radios, depth sounders and portable GPS. A T-Roof and rigid bow cover is also mounted on these vessels for your comfort.
The DEEP SEE SUBMERSIBLE onboard is a custom-built one-atmosphere submarine, capable of carrying a pilot and two passengers to a depth of 1,500 feet (450 meters). She is a flexible, capable and masterfully designed vehicle that can agilely operate throughout her range in comfort and safety. The SUBMERSIBLE can perform two dives each day, one in the morning and another scheduled for the afternoon, each dive can take two passengers for this "once in a life time experience". There are two options: dive to 80 meters, or 305 meters, both can purchased onboard or in advance.
Cabin
Argo has 9 comfortable guest staterooms, accommodating up to 18 guests per trip:
All cabins have air conditioning climate controls, ensuite bathroom, shelves, drawers and hanging hooks, a desk and chair,110-volt outlets, a satellite telephone for international calls, a flat screen TV with DVD player.
1 Owners Cabin :
Located on the upper deck, comes with a queen size double bed, large cabin space and lots of seaview windows.
2 Upper Double Suites :
Located on the upper deck, comes with a queen size double bed, large cabin space and lots of seaview windows.
3 Deluxe Twin Cabins :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with two twin beds side by side, portholes.
3 Deluxe Double Cabins :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with a queen size double bed, portholes.
Diving
Generally 3 dives per day + at least 3 night dives per trip.
No dive provided on the day of arrival and departure.
All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Supports all types of totally closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR)
Offer Tri-mix support with helium and other Tec dive support
Other Informations
- Nitrox：Available with additional charge
- 15L Tanks：Available with additional charge
- REBREATHER Dive：Available with additional charge
- Technical Dive：Available with additional cost
- SUBMERSIBLE Dive：Available with additional cost
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional charge
- Dive insurance：Divers travel aboard must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Not available at the moment
- Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment
- Payment on board：By cash (USD) or credit card
- Crew Number：14, include 2 dive guides
Itineraries
General Dive Information for Cocos Island
Dive Experience/Level
Cocos Island presents the same diving challenges as any other Pacific, Indian or Red Sea diving location. Cocos, however, is not recommended for inexperienced divers because it is an open ocean destination that requires advanced open water diving skills.
Please note, the minimum required level of certification to dive at Cocos is Open Water and we strongly recommend having at least the Specialties of Deep & Night Diver. We also recommend having a minimum of 35 dives experience.
Dive Conditions
Most of the action is at 60-90 feet /18-27 meters, and most dives are between 60-130 feet / 18-40 meters. The safety limit is set at 130 feet / 40 meters and a dive computer is necessary. Visibility averages 60-100ft/18-30m. Average water temperature is 79 F to 84 F (26 C to 29 C), although it can be a few degrees lower under the occasional thermocline.
Sample Itinerary - 11D/10N
Arrival Day
You must arrive at least one day prior to the boat departure date.
Upon arrival to San José, we can have transportation waiting for you (please contact us for a quote) or you can take a taxi to your hotel. There are always taxis available at the airport, even minivans for those of you who carry a lot of gear. We can also recommend and arrange accommodations for hotels in San José.
Please note that air transport, airport transfers, hotel nights and meals before and after the cruise are not included in the charter.
Day 1
The following day, generally between 8 AM and 1 PM we pick up from certain hotels and transfer everybody by bus to Puntarenas where you will board the vessel. The drive takes about 2 1/2 hours, and gives you a chance to view the lush forest and rich farmland of the region.
Due to occasional low tides our boats may need to depart from the pier earlier in the day. Should this occur, you will be transferred by skiff to the vessel. When all passengers have arrived on board, the vessel will take a 32-36 hour cruise out to Cocos Island.
Day 2
A travel day. There will be time to arrange dive and camera gear as well as enjoy the Pacific and the sunshine. Also, the group of incredibly experienced divers provides plenty of stories to pass the time. There are videos and the experience of the Captain and crew to help you get excited for the diving...as if you need them. In addition, you may want to take this time to take one of our diving courses.
Days 3 - 8
Spent diving the pinnacles around the perimeter of Cocos Island. Divers usually average three dives per day at depths of 60-100 feet (18-30 meters) or more. This, of course, is what the whole trip is about. It will also be possible to do at least three night dives during the trip.
Between dives or when time permits, guests are welcome use the sea kayaks, go for a swim, snorkel around the boat, or just chill-out and watch movies.
Day 9
Make the last 3 dives before the cruise back to Costa Rica and reality!
Day 10
All day to discuss the diving and to compare your adventures!
Day 11
Arrival to Puntarenas. Immediately after breakfast you will be transported back to San Jose. We strongly recommend staying one more night on land, before flying out, in case of any unforeseen delays.
DeepSee available
DeepSee is a highly technical one-of-a-kind submersible.
It is subject to an extensive daily checkup routine, governed by the ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) protocols. Considering the subs complexity, we cannot guarantee that it will be available for all days or dives reserved. In the unfortunate event that Deep See is not available for your dive, we will provide a full refund of the pre-booked payment. No further compensation will be offered in such an event.
The DeepSee submersible is scheduled to be onboard certain trips throughout the year. The cost of DeepSee dives are additional.
Optional tours
While you are here in Costa Rica it is certainly worth the extra time to visit other aspects of the country that truly make it a natural wonderland. Very active volcanoes, white water rafting, mountain biking, some of the most pristine jungles in the world, coffee plantations, horseback riding, visits to craft centers, and of course, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are among the activities and destinations available in the country. We would be happy to arrange one day tours or longer trips to more remote areas at the client´s request. Recommended Costa Rican companies will operate these tours.
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Dinner ashore the night before disembarkation
- Complimentary alcoholic beverage with dinner
- Soft drinks
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Nitrox fills
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- Fuel surcharge
- Dive equipment rentals
- Larger tank (15 L)
- Dive courses on board
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Costa Rica (Cocos Island)
Best time for diving
June to November in the "rainy" season for the most hammerhead sharks, especially August and September when the nutrient upswells bring large amount of plankton that attract manta rays, the occasional whale shark and the most famous visitor to the region - scalloped hammerheads. However, the surface is rougher during this period and visibility drops to within the range of 10 - 20m. The long open ocean crossing is likely to be less comfortable during this time. But during the rainy season, you can see the most hammerhead sharks, although they are seen in huge numbers during most of the year.
December to May for the calmer sea and higher visibility, during these months, the sea typically sees calmer and visibility usually can be over 30m. And you can still expect hammerhead sharks in a great numbers compare to most of the destinations around the world.
About temperatures
Air : equatorial, hot and humid all year round, range between 25°C - 31°C.
Sea : average 25°C to 28°C at the surface but can vary depending on the season and thermoclines, sometimes it can drop to 21°C with cooler thermoclines.
Wetsuit Recommendation
Due to the cooler thermoclines, we recommend a full 5 mm or 3 mm wetsuit with a hood is usually adequate, but an extra hooded wetsuit vest is a good alternative for unexpected cooler water.
Diver requirement
Cocos island is not recommended for inexperienced divers because it is an open ocean destination, also the world’s most remote places that offers organized diving. If a life-threatening emergency arises, it’s a 36-hour boat ride to Puntarenas, and the nearest recompression chamber is in San José. The minimum required level of certification to dive at Cocos is Open Water and we strongly recommend having at least the Specialty of Deep Diver. We also recommend having a minimum of 25 hours of diving experience.
Diving with enriched air nitrox (EANx) will help you get the most out of your trip, given the depth of many sites. All dive vessels offer standard 32 percent EANx. If you are not nitrox certified, you should take a certification class well before your departure date.
At Cocos Island, currents and visibility can be entirely different in just a few hours. Please note, the dive guide will always be the final authority as to whether a guest can do any specific dive.
You can find out more information about diving in Cocos Island here : Cocos Island.
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Guests should fly to San José, Costa Rica (SJO) at least one day before the embarkation. On the embarkation day, guests will be picked up from a set list of San Jose hotels to go down to the yacht in Puntarenas early in the morning. The transfer takes about 2hrs from San José to Puntarenas.
Transportation from the yacht at the end of the cruise is provided back to the San José (SJO) airport or the set hotel, if you plan to leave San José on the same day, the departing flights should be scheduled after 12:30 p.m.
Visa Requirements
Not all people who wish to travel to Costa Rica need a tourist visa, this will depend on your nationality, purpose of visit, country of residence and duration of stay. Please verify all entry requirements according to your nationality via the link : Visas by Nationality, If in doubt we recommend checking with the nearest Costa Rican consulate to see if you will need a visa.
Vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you will be traveling to Costa Rica from South America and/or sub-Saharan Africa. The countries considered at risk are: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana and Venezuela. You can travel to Costa Rica ten days after the shot.
Money Matters
The local currency is Costa Rican colón (CRC). International credit cards and US dollars are widely accepted in regions associated with tourism. Hotels and banks will exchange US Dollars for Costa Rican colón. US dollars as well as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in most of the tourist places.
Drones
To bring a drone to Costa Rica and fly it, you need to register with the DGAC. And you cannot fly in cities, communities, and crowds unless you have special permission from the DGAC. To register your drone, visit the government’s official website and complete the permit application.
Extending your holiday
While you are in Costa Rica, it is certainly worth the extra time to experience some of the other aspects of our little country that truly make it a natural wonderland. Active volcanoes, white water rafting, zip-line tours, mountain biking, pristine jungles, coffee plantations, horseback riding, visits to craft centers and of course some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are among the activities and destinations available to you here. After all, you’ve come this far! We would be happy to arrange one-day tours or longer trips to more remote areas, at your request. Just ask us if you need such a service.
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