SPONSOR A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION TO COCOS ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, COSTA RICA
Join CREMA and Marine Watch International on a scientific expedition to Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica, as a scientific expedition sponsor! All expeditions will be led by Costa Rica biologist Randall Arauz, currently the Science and Policy Advisor for Marine Watch International.
Excellent opportunity for shark conservation enthusiasts and early career scientists who want to become acquainted with shark research field work at one of the sharkiest places in the world. Learn about the latest science and the policy changes needed for efficient shark conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
7 FULL DAYS OF DIVING AT COCOS ISLAND NATIONAL PARK (21 DIVES).
During the dives, researchers will tag sharks underwater using a pole spear to attach an acoustic transmitter. The pole spear anchors a dart under the shark’s skin, right under the dorsal fin. The tag is tethered to the dart by a steel cable, and dangles as the shark tows it. We may also change the tip of the pole spear and instead of a dart we use a tissue sampler, which works like a cookie cutter, punching a hole in the shark’s skin to obtain a sample the size of a bean. We focus on hammerhead sharks, galapagos sharks, blacktip sharks, silvertip sharks, tiger sharks, whale sharks, manta rays and eagle rays.
Any turtles encountered will be caught underwater and brought to the deck of the liveaboard, where it will be measured, weighed, photo-catalogued, tissue sampled, and tagged with external Inconel flipper tags.
We also support invited researchers who may use a variety of methodologies to study Cocos Island’s ecosystems, such as Baited Remote Underwater Video systems (BRUVs), stable isotope or e-DNA analysis.
During the evenings scientists on board will provide lectures on the work you are witnessing and the marine conservation policies we are propelling.
EXPEDITION DATES AND COST PER PERSON
October 3 - 13, 2026. : US$6,495 + US$555 (National Park fee) - US$7,050
August 11 - 21, 2027. : US$6,759 + US$555 (National Park fee) - US$7,314
- Both expeditions will be held on board Okeanos II.
This rate includes:
- Deluxe double cabin with bunk beds. Add $500 if interested in a Suite with a single queen size bed, a Master room with a single king size bed, or a Master room with two queen size beds.
- Land transportation from San José to Puntarenas.
- Dive Master, 3 meals/day. Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, beer, snacks, nitrox refills and DAN Evacuation insurance.
Does not include tips nor snacks during San José – Puntarenas bus transfer.
TRAVEL DETAILS
You must fly into Costa Rica the day prior to the expedition. The dive companies provide shuttle service from San José to Puntarenas. We will provide a list of hotels we prefer you stay at for pick-up convenience. However, if enough folks stay at a particular hotel, we can arrange the pickup.
You will be picked up at your hotel in San José during the morning of Day 1 of the scheduled expedition, and shuttled by bus to Puntarenas, where the liveaboards (Sea Hunter and Okeanos) are docked. About a 3 hour ride. We stop for lunch (on your own) and should arrive in Puntarenas around 2:00 pm. We sail to Cocos Island at around 4:00 pm.
We will be sailing the rest of Day 1 and all of Day 2, arriving to Cocos Island in the very early morning of Day 3. Our first dive is scheduled for 9:00 am on Day 3.
After the third dive on Day 9, we pack up and head back to Puntarenas. We will sail the rest of Day 9 and all of Day 10. We will have breakfast on board the liveaboards on the morning of Day 11, and then head back to San José. We are scheduled to be at the airport (SJO) at around 11:00 am.
Some folks like to book flights back home on the afternoon of the day we arrive in San José. Keep in mind that sometimes there can be delays on the road due to heavy traffic, so try to book a flight as late in the afternoon as possible if you are considering this option.
Requirements: Advanced Dive certification, DAN insurance, Nitrox Certification. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
PAYMENTS AND REFUND POLICY
100% funds (except costs of international wires) will be refunded to clients if the trip is cancelled on our behalf. Thus, we recommend you obtain travel insurance in case the expedition must be cancelled due to causes beyond our control (acts of God) and it is impossible for us to refund.
We require a $2,000 payment to book a slot on an expedition.
October 3 - 13, 2026. = US$6,495 + US$555 (National Park fee) = US$7,070.
- A deposit of $2000 is required to reserve your slot. The sooner, the better!
- Final payment by June 30, 2026.
August 11 - 21, 2027. = US$6,759 + US$555 (National Park fee) = US$7,314.
- An initial payment of $2.000 is required to reserve your slot. The sooner the better.
- Second payment by November 14, 2026. An additional payment of $3,000 is required.
- Final payment by May 13, 2027.
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR THE 2026 - 2027 TRIPS: If the client must cancel a trip.
- 100% funds will be refunded if requested by a client more than one year prior to the date of departure (except cost of international wires).
- 50% funds will be refunded if requested by a client between a year and 6 months prior to the date of departure. However, if we can fill the space, we will refund the rest (except the cost of international wires)
- No refunds if a cancellation is done 6 months prior to departure. However, if we can fill the space, we will do a total refund (except the cost of international wires).
Bank Wire Information:
For US citizens, please use our Fiscal Sponsor in the United States, Marine Watch International:
Account Name: Marine Watch International
Acct: 325171341687
Wire Routing code: 026009593
Address:
2440 16th Street #305
San Francisco, CA 94418
Phone: 415-867-8477
Email: MarineWatch@gmail.com
OR
Write a check to Marine Watch International, and mail it to:
Marine Watch International
2440 16th Street #305
San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: 415-867-8477
Email: MarineWatch@gmail.com
In case you want to deposit directly into our bank account in Costa Rica:
Bank Name: Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
USD Account #: 100-02-148-600593-3
Beneficiary : Asociación Centro de Rescate de Especies Marinas Amenazadas
Swift: BNCRCRSJ
IBAN: CR27015114810026005939
Bank Address: Av. 1 y 3, Calle 4. San José Costa Rica
My contact information:
Randall Arauz
Marine Watch International
rarauz@marinewatch.org
+506 8708 8253