Isla del Coco Why Isla del Coco Expeditions Campaigns What we do arrow_forward_ios arrow_forward_ios Isla del Coco Why Isla del Coco Expeditions Campaigns What we do
Jacques Cousteau Isla del Coco was declared a Costa Rican National Park in 1978 and became a Unesco Heritage Site in 1997.The island is globally recognized as biologically and ecologically unique as it provides essential habitats for many migratory species - making it a protected oasis for marine life. Isla del Coco "The most beautiful island in the World" Isla del Coco was declared a Costa Rican
National Park in 1978 and became a Unesco Heritage Site
in 1997.The island is globally recognized as biologically and ecologically unique as it provides essential habitats for
many migratory species - making it a protected oasis
for marine life.
Abundance of scalloped hammerhead sharks in the marine protected area of Isla del Coco - Costa Rica, has decreased by 45 % in 20 years.
O Isla del Coco, also known as Island of the Sharks, is located 500 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and it is one of the most important marine hotspots in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Here, Misión Tiburón scientists study habitat use and site fidelity of resident shark species such as the whitetip reef shark and the blacktip shark, as well as movements and routes of migratory species like the scalloped hammerhead shark and the silky shark. Island of The
Sharks Watch our team and our partners at work at Isla del Coco.
Slide PROJECT Whitetip Shark PROJECT Migratory Species Andrés López,
founder of Misión Tiburón Studying habitat use and movements of whitetip reef sharks. Studying migrations and movements between sharks’ nursery areas, feeding grounds and this oceanic island. SHARKS Not enough to sustain a healthy ocean. “You don't need to be an expert scientist to understand, that if we
don't protect juveniles today, we won't have any adults tomorrow” are there? How many
Slide Migratory Species Sharks Isla del Coco
National Park
In order to guarantee the sustainability of shark
populations, Misión Tiburón believes that it is essential to study migration patterns and movements between sharks’ nursery areas, their feeding grounds and the oceanic
island of Isla del Coco.
This project, which started in 2015, aims to investigate the connectivity of shark populations in Costa Rica and the Eastern Tropical Pacific, including coastal areas, in order to generate baseline information for regional management and implementation of conservation strategies for sharks. navigate_before navigate_next
Slide We believe that pre-adult scalloped hammerhead sharks migrate from Golfo Dulce to Isla del Coco following the seamounts of the Cocos Plate. Isla del Coco is the only emerged site of this seamount chain. Scalloped hammerhead sharks, for example, are believed to seek and follow seamounts during their migrations. Seamounts are therefore thought to represent essential habitats for migratory species, acting as cleaning stations and resting areas. Seamounts of the Cocos Plate Seamounts around Isla del Coco provide structure to both ocean bathymetry and current patterns and are associated with hotspots of pelagic biodiversity and, in particular, apex predators. ©David García ©Andres Berrocal We believe that pre-adult scalloped hammerhead
sharks migrate from Golfo Dulce to Isla del Coco following the seamounts of the Cocos Plate. Isla del Coco is the only emerged site of this seamount chain.
Slide Misión Tiburón started the Whitetip Project in 2011, with the aim of fostering conservation strategies for this species, as well as strengthening broader conservation efforts in the National Park and other coastal sites off the Pacific Coast of
Costa Rica. Misión Tiburón started the Whitetip Project in 2011,
with the aim of fostering conservation strategies for this species, as well as strengthening broader conservation efforts in the National Park and other coastal sites off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Whitetip Reef Shark "Triaenodon obesus"
White tip 1 ©Andres Berrocal Rangers ©David Garcia White tip 2 White tip 3 ©Andres Berrocal At Misión Tiburón we aim to study habitat use and movements of whitetip reef sharks in these areas, by implementing a monitoring and tagging program, in order to improve the management of their population at the Isla del Coco National Park and other areas of the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) is a non-migratory tropical reef species that has shown no high coastal connectivity, as opposed to other observed shark species. It is one of the most common sharks at Isla del Coco and it is present year-round. In the bays located in the north of the Isla del Coco National Park, specifically in Chatham Bay and Wafer Bay, there is a particularly large population of whitetip reef sharks. However, information about residency of this shark species is still scarce.
"Jane Goodall" Only if we understand, can
we care. Only if we care, we
will help. Only if we help, we
will be saved. Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we will be saved. "Jane Goodall" ©Andres Berrocal
Slide Expeditions Get ready for some out of this world
wild shark action!

We deliver intimate encounters with nature’s most iconic animals at Isla del Coco, an oceanic island known as one of the most valuable and biologically diverse ecosystems on earth.
Slide Galapogos Shark "Carcharhinus galapagensis" "Rhincodon typus" Whale Shark "Orcinus orca" Orca Slide Scalloped Hammerhead Shark "Sphyrna lewini" "Mobula birostris" Manta Ray "Galeocerdo cuvier" Tiger Shark Slide Silky Shark "Carcharhinus falciformis" "Carcharhinus albimarginatus" Silvertip Shark "Tursiops truncatus" Dolphin Slide Eagle Ray "Myliobatidaes" "Taeniurops meyeni" The Marbled Ray "Triaenodon obesus" Whitetip Reef Shark navigate_before navigate_next Explore The
Wild Blue Magical moments with iconic
animals you can encounter when diving at Isla del Coco. Dive with Misión Tiburón
Slide Unique scientific-educational diving expeditions where you can experience truly wild moments within the ocean. Unique scientific-educational diving expeditions
where you can experience truly wild moments
within the ocean. The Misión Tiburón community of ambassadors, divers and ocean lovers grows bigger each year. There is no better way to experience the true wilderness of the ocean and what lies beneath its surface, than to get up close with this iconic species in its home environment.

We have been running educational expeditions to Isla del Coco since 2016. For this exclusive trip, we have successfully teamed up with the unique and experienced crew of the Okeanos Aggressor charter boat.

An unforgettable 10 days in Isla del Coco, with more than 20 dives around world-renowned dive sites, evening lectures on sharks’ ecology and biology, as well as research results drawn from more than 10 years of scientific work on the island. Contact us for Availability The aim of our expeditions is to explore some of the last untouched areas left in the wild and show why we need to protect them, and at the same time support conservation efforts within the Isla del Coco National Park.
Slide With your support, our impact continues. Follow our Journey
"Sylvia Earle" No water, no
life. No blue,
no green. No water, no life. No blue, no green. "Sylvia Earle"
Slide After emerging from the sea
about two millions years ago, Isla del Coco, surrounded by deep nutrient-rich waters, coral reefs, volcanic tunnels, caves, massifs and underwater counter-currents has become one of the most unique marine ecosystems on earth. These waters unfortunately are heavily exploited by artisanal fisheries and affected by contamination and habitat degradation. Therefore, the fragile ecosystem of Isla del Coco is directly threatened by what happens hundreds of miles away. At Misión Tiburón, we believe that enforcing the protection of the Isla del Coco National Park must go along with the protection of coastal sites off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica so as to ensure the long term survival of the iconic species inhabiting Cocos Island.
Although the Cocos Island National Park is world renowned for the congregations of hammerhead sharks, the waters around Isla del Coco are also regularly visited by other migratory species like tiger sharks, mantas, whale sharks, tunas and marlins. However, these species are constantly threatened inside and outside of the marine protected area by illegal fishing. In addition, most migratory species that visit the island use the coastal waters of Costa Rica (Golfo Dulce and Golfo de Papagayo in particular) as nursery grounds.
balanced ecosystem ©Charles Pettit balanced ecosystem ©Enrique Uribe Sanctuary ©Charles Pettit balanced ecosystem ©Andres Berrocal balanced ecosystem ©Charles Pettit balanced ecosystem ©Charles Pettit balanced ecosystem ©Charles Pettit balanced ecosystem ©Andres Berrocal thriving bio ©Andres Berrocal