For 2023/24 SEASON: The Argo & DeepSee have been chartered by National Geographic for a very special global expedition. As a result, only the Sea Hunter will be running trips to Cocos Island
Argo is the latest offering from the expert Undersea Hunter group and a spectacular addition to the stunning shores of Cocos. Packed with all the latest mod cons the Argo is a one of a kind vessel to explore a completely unique region and lives up to the high standards set by the fleet - from safety to comfort, no detail has been overlooked.
At 40m, this steel hulled beauty makes light work of the sailing to and from the remote Cocos islands. With 8 cabins on board, she can sleep up to 18 people in lavish surroundings with modern furnishings and elegant artwork. All of the cabins sit below the waterline for optimum sailing comfort, flooded with light from the sky lights. Each cabin is individually furnished and all are with large en suite bathrooms. With the ability to custom mix gasses, nitrox and technical divers have not been forgotten. Favoured by film crews and professional photographers, the on board photographic facilities are top notch, while the industrious kitchen staff serve up a wide range of freshly cooked meals that will get your taste buds tingling.
The Argo mixes premium service with unparalleled diving to ensure that any trip to Cocos is unforgettable and surpasses even the highest expectations... all before you have even dipped a fin tip. Taking luxury to a new level, there could not be a better time to visit this isolated corner of the globe or a better boat from which to explore it. Let the Cocos lure you onto a dive trip filled with adventure, beauty and excitement.
Please note: as of April 2018 the Cocos Island National Park Department does not allow night dives, snorkeling and kayaking at the island for safety reasons.
Double Cabin, with one queen size bed. This cabin includes: Shelves, drawers and hanging hooks, a desk and chair, a luxury, private bathroom. Thermostat to control the air-conditioning and is carpeted throughout with large windows. Satellite connection to send and receive e-mails and a flat screen TV with DVD player
Double Cabin, with one queen size bed. This cabin includes: Shelves, drawers and hanging hooks, a desk and chair, a luxury, private bathroom. The room has its own thermostat to control the air-conditioning and is carpeted throughout with large windows. A satellite connection to send and receive e-mails and a flat screen TV with DVD player.
Twin Cabin with two twin size beds, private bathroom. Airconditioning and a circular porthole.There is also aTV and DVD player, each cabin is distinctly themed with hand painted artwork.
Double Cabin with one queen size bed and private bathroom. Airconditioning and a circular porthole. The cabin has aTV and DVD player.
Please note these prices may not include flights. Click select for the full holiday details
Michael
2012-07-21 16:37:05
Trish
2012-07-04 14:10:58
The Argo is one of the most luxurious boats I have been aboard, with a crew that exceeds its quality and certainly exceeded my expectations. Couple this with the DeepSee Submarine and you have a trip of a lifetime kind of experience. I cannot wait to return to this boat and this crew.
View entry requirements here All travellers from any country will be admitted into Costa Rica as long as they meet the visa requirements. There are no COVID-19 related entry requirements for Costa Rica. From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you: do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form do not need to quarantine when you arrive This applies whether you are vaccinated or not. It includes people who are transiting through England. Updated 13SEP 2022
Costa Rica is around 12 hours direct flying time. Most liveaboards to Cocos depart from San Jose.
Lying some 300 miles south west of the main land, this remote scuba diving destination is a haven for local wildlife, both above the water and beneath it. Hammerheads are the star attraction here and we don't mean the odd one or two. Great swarming schools of scalloped hammers visit Cocos many cleaning stations to keep in top shape. White tips pass by in giant clouds and Galapagos sharks patrol the plateaus. Manta rays, mobula and eagle rays can all be spotted here, along with the occasional whale shark to feast on the upwelling currents.
View entry requirements here All travellers from any country will be admitted into Costa Rica as long as they meet the visa requirements. There are no COVID-19 related entry requirements for Costa Rica. From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you: do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form do not need to quarantine when you arrive This applies whether you are vaccinated or not. It includes people who are transiting through England. Updated 13SEP 2022
Costa Rica itself has an average temperature of 21 to 28. Due to its proximity to the equator, it has no real summer or winter. It does however have a rainy season from May to November - Cocos Islands experiences rain usually between July and September. The Pacific coast around Guanacaste, on the other hand is hot and dry, perfect for the many world-class beaches.
Our holidays to Cocos can be quoted with most major airlines. Many flights route via the USA. Depending on your trip dates, you may be able to take the direct BA flight. If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to San Jose, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Most flight options will route with a stop via the USA. Please ask your consultant if you would like to add a stopover en route
UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 90 day tourist visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here
On arrival to San Jose, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. Depending on your first night arrangements, you will then either be met outside of arrivals by a representative (they will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it) or you will need to join the hotel airport shuttle. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers in San Jose are usually either provided by your liveaboard, a private transfer or airport shuttle.
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. On leaving the Costa Rica there is an departure tax of approx $30 which must be paid in cash.
Since it is customary to tip crew members, many people ask the boat operators what tip amount is appropriate. This is a very personal decision, as tips are your way of expressing satisfaction. Generally the tip is given to the captain who distributes it equally amongst the crew. Please note that we do not dictate or include tips.
US dollars as well as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted onboard Argo. Argo cannot accept personal checks or travelers checks onboard.
Limited, only close to port.
The vessels have both 110 and 220 volts ac. The cabins have 110 volts ac only. The vessels have standard US and European sockets (but not British style sockets).
You can rent a complete line of ScubaPro dive gear: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, 15l tanks and Aladin Nitrox dive computers. Please make sure to reserve any equipment well ahead of time.
Due to the possible increase in the cost of oil, based on events in the past few years, the Undersea Hunter Group reserves the right to charge a US$200.00 per person Fuel Surcharge. This fee will be effective in the event that the diesel price published by Costa Rica. Soft drinks: Free, Bottle of wine: $15 - $35. Hard liquor is not available on board but our guests are welcome to bring their own, which should be purchased prior to boarding.
No souvenirs are included in the price, but there will be souvenirs available in the onboard boutique.
Nitrox is recommended onboard Argo. The vessel offers full onboard TDI training in Nitrox, with rental of Nitrox computers. Nitrox fills are free for Nitrox certified divers.
Normally around £1500 deposit with full balance paid 90 days before departure.
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
Cocos is a place that many divers aspire to visit... and one look over a typical week's diving soon reveals why this faraway dot on the horizon calls to divers. This is strictly a liveaboard only diving holiday and Scuba Travel work with the most exc... MORE
Argo is the largest liveaboard sailing for Cocos, At 40m with only 18 divers on board she is a one of a kind. Sail in comfort to this remote shark destination. There is even an on board submersible experience you can book!
Call us or email to bookWe would be more than happy to help you. Our travel advisors are at your service to help you.
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The Argo has to be one of the most fantastic liveaboards. It also takes you to the most amazing place, Cocos Island. Cocos Island is somewhere that is very easy to fall in love, without even going underwater. Once you put your head under the sea you really will not want to leave. You have to give yourself a bit of a reality check when you come back from a dive and say that was a bit quiet, we only saw white tips on that dive. The problem with diving at Cocos is the number and variety of sharks. On our trip we had Hammerheads, Tiger, Galapagos, Silky, Black Tipped and White Tipped Sharks. Once you get used to seeing all the sharks, you start to notice all the other fish, and sometimes there were just too many fish to see all the sharks clearly. Argo splits the guests into two groups and the groups do not dive the same dive site at the same time. This meant it was never crowded on the dives. The liveaboards at Cocos also coordinate the diving between them so you do not see divers from o