mantajohn
Contributor
Just returned from a wonderful trip to Cocos. SBers reports are so helpful in planning my own trips - I thought I would try to return the favour. I will avoid the cut/paste from my dive log approach there are loads of trip reports on here already that say go to Cocos & youll see lots of sharks its true, we did!
Instead Ill try to mention a few things that might help you decide/plan a trip. If you are interested in the sightings, Dancer Fleet have posted a write up in their forum above - its accurate (w/c 15 Sept).
Overall:
I would book Wind Dancer again, without a moments hesitation. Wonderful crew they worked so hard to make our trip fantastic & always with such a friendly, happy approach. Carlos (Cruise Director) is outstanding. The food was excellent throughout (breakfast eggs made to order, 2 course buffet lunch, 3 course plated dinners, endless fresh fruit available etc). Comfortable dive deck with 3 hot showers. Ample space & extensive camera table.
There was a really good atmosphere of shared adventure across the 21 pax who hailed from all corners of the globe and had booked in 1s or 2s.
We booked one of the new top deck cabins. Such a good decision. Side by side beds (not bunks), large picture window & enormous en-suite. This made a real difference as, compared to other destinations, Cocos gives you a lot of non diving time. Many of the standard cabins (& their en-suites) are quite small. Also, these new cabins have their own air conditioning thermostat and a fridge for beers/sodas etc!
A couple of reservations:
-we were favoured by 2 very flat crossings, yet Wind Dancer was prone to roll a bit. We wondered how it would be on a rough crossing.
-the zodiacs have the most uncomfortable kitting up position, ever. Though we got used to it pretty quickly, it would be quite difficult in rougher seas. The Zodiacs are very cramped when full.
-since I was last on Wind Dancer (St Vincent/Grenadines 2009) 2 extra cabins have been added. The extra 4 pax do not really fit on the dining tables & for quite a few meals, some pax preferred to eat on their laps on the sofas rather than squeeze in.
-Dancer provide an epirb type positioning device, though it works via the office on the mainland, so Im not sure how good it would be if you were separated from the zodiacs & needed real time help.
Bar these points, everything operates just as described on the Dancer website.
Diving:
3 dives offered every day with night dives on 3 days. 23 dives offered on the trip. I really enjoyed that you repeatedly dive on the same sites. After the initial orientation, buddy pairs can explore the sites independently on subsequent dives just brilliant fun!
Highlights were: descending into the murk of Alcyone to spend 30 mins with wall to wall hammerheads; & a truly wonderful show of Oceanic black tip, Galapagos shark, Silky & hammerheads at Punta Maria. Do not miss the night dive at Manuelita feeding frenzy of white tips. Just one Tiger shark sighted but close enough & long enough to really enjoy.
We were very unlucky with the viz on this trip. May have been connected to the earthquake a few days before we arrived. Most people opted for 5mm, with hoods and gloves (essential). Contrary to all the advice, you do not need a reef hook. In fact it would be a seriously bad idea, as you would hang above the rocks & deter the sharks, rather than blending in with the rock profile.
Group is split in 2, each with their own zodiac & DM. Dive sites alternate, reducing the number of divers on any site yet everyone all the sites. This worked really well except for on Alcyone where one group followed the other with 30 min delay. The second group consistently had noticeably poorer sightings than the first to descend.
One pax had quite a serious medical emergency at Cocos. Carlos, the crew (& a few of the guests in support) were complete professionals in dealing with the situation. It was also good to see how the competing operators co-operated in an emergency. Argo was heading back to the mainland & evacuated our casualty to avoid Wind Dancer having to prematurely terminate the cruise. We visited our friend the following week in San Jose the hospital was impressive. Very reassuring.
Logistics:
We flew UK Madrid Costa Rica on Iberia, mainly to avoid connecting at Miami. A decision validated by one couple who spent the entire trip without any luggage courtesy of Miami Airport baggage handling! Madrid airport is a palace spacious, clean etc. Overnighted at Madrid airport Hilton excellent.
Iberia had excellent food and wine and flat beds in business class (we treated ourselves by cashing in zillions of FF points). The in flight entertainment was the worst I can remember for a decade. Take your ipad & load it with programmes.
San Jose airport is very clean, attractive, efficient. The airport taxis were good and reasonably priced. Dancer recommended using Hotel Indigo for the pre trip night. It was unexpectedly good. Comfortable, clean quiet rooms. Superfast free broadband. Friendly staff, good breakfast and a very good choice of restaurants within walking distance. On the return we had 8 hours at the airport, so booked a day room at the Marriott Courtyard. Also very good.
Summary:
Great trip. Hopefully, Ill be fortunate enough to revisit sometime. Now planning for Palau in 2013!
Instead Ill try to mention a few things that might help you decide/plan a trip. If you are interested in the sightings, Dancer Fleet have posted a write up in their forum above - its accurate (w/c 15 Sept).
Overall:
I would book Wind Dancer again, without a moments hesitation. Wonderful crew they worked so hard to make our trip fantastic & always with such a friendly, happy approach. Carlos (Cruise Director) is outstanding. The food was excellent throughout (breakfast eggs made to order, 2 course buffet lunch, 3 course plated dinners, endless fresh fruit available etc). Comfortable dive deck with 3 hot showers. Ample space & extensive camera table.
There was a really good atmosphere of shared adventure across the 21 pax who hailed from all corners of the globe and had booked in 1s or 2s.
We booked one of the new top deck cabins. Such a good decision. Side by side beds (not bunks), large picture window & enormous en-suite. This made a real difference as, compared to other destinations, Cocos gives you a lot of non diving time. Many of the standard cabins (& their en-suites) are quite small. Also, these new cabins have their own air conditioning thermostat and a fridge for beers/sodas etc!
A couple of reservations:
-we were favoured by 2 very flat crossings, yet Wind Dancer was prone to roll a bit. We wondered how it would be on a rough crossing.
-the zodiacs have the most uncomfortable kitting up position, ever. Though we got used to it pretty quickly, it would be quite difficult in rougher seas. The Zodiacs are very cramped when full.
-since I was last on Wind Dancer (St Vincent/Grenadines 2009) 2 extra cabins have been added. The extra 4 pax do not really fit on the dining tables & for quite a few meals, some pax preferred to eat on their laps on the sofas rather than squeeze in.
-Dancer provide an epirb type positioning device, though it works via the office on the mainland, so Im not sure how good it would be if you were separated from the zodiacs & needed real time help.
Bar these points, everything operates just as described on the Dancer website.
Diving:
3 dives offered every day with night dives on 3 days. 23 dives offered on the trip. I really enjoyed that you repeatedly dive on the same sites. After the initial orientation, buddy pairs can explore the sites independently on subsequent dives just brilliant fun!
Highlights were: descending into the murk of Alcyone to spend 30 mins with wall to wall hammerheads; & a truly wonderful show of Oceanic black tip, Galapagos shark, Silky & hammerheads at Punta Maria. Do not miss the night dive at Manuelita feeding frenzy of white tips. Just one Tiger shark sighted but close enough & long enough to really enjoy.
We were very unlucky with the viz on this trip. May have been connected to the earthquake a few days before we arrived. Most people opted for 5mm, with hoods and gloves (essential). Contrary to all the advice, you do not need a reef hook. In fact it would be a seriously bad idea, as you would hang above the rocks & deter the sharks, rather than blending in with the rock profile.
Group is split in 2, each with their own zodiac & DM. Dive sites alternate, reducing the number of divers on any site yet everyone all the sites. This worked really well except for on Alcyone where one group followed the other with 30 min delay. The second group consistently had noticeably poorer sightings than the first to descend.
One pax had quite a serious medical emergency at Cocos. Carlos, the crew (& a few of the guests in support) were complete professionals in dealing with the situation. It was also good to see how the competing operators co-operated in an emergency. Argo was heading back to the mainland & evacuated our casualty to avoid Wind Dancer having to prematurely terminate the cruise. We visited our friend the following week in San Jose the hospital was impressive. Very reassuring.
Logistics:
We flew UK Madrid Costa Rica on Iberia, mainly to avoid connecting at Miami. A decision validated by one couple who spent the entire trip without any luggage courtesy of Miami Airport baggage handling! Madrid airport is a palace spacious, clean etc. Overnighted at Madrid airport Hilton excellent.
Iberia had excellent food and wine and flat beds in business class (we treated ourselves by cashing in zillions of FF points). The in flight entertainment was the worst I can remember for a decade. Take your ipad & load it with programmes.
San Jose airport is very clean, attractive, efficient. The airport taxis were good and reasonably priced. Dancer recommended using Hotel Indigo for the pre trip night. It was unexpectedly good. Comfortable, clean quiet rooms. Superfast free broadband. Friendly staff, good breakfast and a very good choice of restaurants within walking distance. On the return we had 8 hours at the airport, so booked a day room at the Marriott Courtyard. Also very good.
Summary:
Great trip. Hopefully, Ill be fortunate enough to revisit sometime. Now planning for Palau in 2013!
) and it was an awesome trip - great boat, great crew, and the best food of any liveaboard I've ever been on.
