Top Ten Spots for Experiencing Sharks

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For a country so small (.03% of the Earth’s surface, to be more precise), Costa Rica hosts an amazing amount of the world’s biodiversity (roughly 5%). More than 500,000 species are found here, from barely visible to the eye insects to larger than life predators.

This rich natural world doesn’t stop on land; the surrounding waters are just as ripe with life, with about 1,000 marine species. And reigning over all of them are, of course, the sharks.

White tips, hammerheads, bull, and whale sharks are the most frequently spotted in these parts. But it’s the hammerheads that offer the most intense diving experience. These surreal-looking creatures swarm the waters off Cocos Island, a few hours’ boat ride from the mainland. It’s possible to see so many at once you might begin to wonder what they did with the rest of the fish.

The island is uninhabited, so all diving is live-aboard. However, most outfitters offer the opportunity to spend some time on land. And it’s worth checking out—the pristine island contains some incredible flora and fauna in its dense tropical rainforest.