

Best for advanced divers, 15-30m, boat entry, strong current.
Isla Pajara is a reef, wall, and pinnacle system located off Cocos Island. This site is suited for advanced divers due to strong, unpredictable currents and surge. Divers typically explore between 15 and 30 metres, with visibility ranging from 10 to 30 metres. Thermoclines are common below 20 metres, often requiring a full wetsuit. Marine life includes whitetip reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, yellow-edged and Panamic green morays, king angelfish, wrasses, groupers, redlip parrotfish, triggerfish, bluefin trevally, moorish idols, rock cod, and various pufferfish. Boat access is required for this site, which also supports night diving. Divers should maintain close proximity to their guide and establish clear drift abort signals.
5.55422, -87.05412
Current direction and strength at Isla Pajara can change with little warning, so stay close to your guide and agree on a drift abort signal before descending. Thermoclines can drop water temperature noticeably below 20 metres, so a full wetsuit rather than a shorty is the practical choice even in warm surface conditions.
Accessible only by liveaboard vessels departing from the port city of Puntarenas, following a two-hour bus transfer from San Jose.
Recorded at this site
Depth
15-30m
Visibility
10-30m
Skill Level
Advanced
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
26-28°C
Current
Strong
Typical Dive
50 min
Best Time
Year-round
Divers frequently encounter whitetip reef sharks, wrasses, groupers, and various pufferfish. Other species include spotted eagle rays, yellow-edged and Panamic green morays, king angelfish, redlip parrotfish, triggerfish, bluefin trevally, moorish idols, and rock cod.
No, Isla Pajara is intended for advanced divers. The site features strong, unpredictable currents, surge, and deep water, which require solid buoyancy control and drift diving experience.
The site ranges from 15 to 30 metres in depth, with an average depth of 25 metres.
Isla Pajara is a boat-only dive site located 550 kilometres from shore.
This site is classified as a dive site with depths reaching 30 metres and strong currents, making it unsuitable for snorkelling.
Diving at Isla Pajara in Cocos Island requires the following certifications: Advanced. Always dive within your training limits.
A 3mm wetsuit is recommended for diving at Isla Pajara in Cocos Island. Water temperatures range from 26°C to 28°C.
The best months to visit Isla Pajara in Cocos Island are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.
Divers at Isla Pajara in Cocos Island should be aware of sharks. These encounters are generally rare and avoidable with proper awareness. Follow local safety guidance and maintain a respectful distance from all marine life.
Isla Pajara in Cocos Island can have strong currents. Advanced experience with drift diving and current navigation is recommended.
Visibility at Isla Pajara in Cocos Island typically ranges from 10 metres to 30 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.