The island that inspired Jurassic Park, Isla del Coco was named a National Park in 1978 and covers 330 miles (532 km) off the coast of Cabo Blanco. The 9-sq-mile (23-sq-km) island began as a volcano, a part of the Galapagos chain. As the world’s largest uninhabited island, it is used as a natural laboratory for evolutionary study; it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 to ensure its preservation.
t The uninhabited Cocos Island, surrounded by pristine blue seas
Experience Southern Zone
t A wall of jacks darting away from a scuba diver in the waters around Cocos Island
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the island had such a reputation for being a haven for pirates and corsairs it was known as “Treasure Island”. Today it holds treasure of a different sort – as a refuge for over 1,000 species of animal and the dense premontane moist forest, which protects endemic fauna such as the Cocos anole, as well as 70 endemic plant species. A highlight of this wildlife trove is the huge colonies of seabirds, including magnificent frigate birds and white terns. Despite the broken topography and torrential rainfall that cause countless waterfalls to cascade into the sea, the crystal-clear waters that surround the island are world-renowned for diving. Visitors to the island need a permit, which can be arranged through dive operators.
EXPERIENCE Southern Zone
Sharks in the Seas
Hammerhead Sharks
The male hammerhead shark will bite the female until she agrees to mate with him.
Whale Sharks
The largest known living fish, this lengthy creature is a slow-moving filter feeder.
Tiger Sharks
The dark stripes that streak down its body, resembling a tiger’s pattern, fade as the shark matures.
White-Tip Reef Sharks
These curious sharks are rarely aggressive towards divers but will swim in for a closer look.
Silky Sharks
Named for the smooth texture of their skin, these toothy beasts trail schools of tuna looking for a bite.