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Inter-Ocean Tours

Trips for Divers

P.O. Box 27116
Oakland, CA 94602
travel@interocean.com
510-638-3448 / 800-345-7159

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The Eastern Pacific Ocean

The largest expanse of water on the Earth, the Pacific Ocean contains the greatest diversity of marine life. Temperatures range from the 60s to the 80s as you near the equator. Islands emerging from the depth atract big animals: whale sharks, hammerheads sharks, and manta rays. Winter is the whale season for Baja, Socorro islands and Hawaii.


Baja Costa Rica &
Cocos Island
Galapagos Islands Socorro Islands

East Pacific

BAJA
The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez or Sea of Cortés; locally known in the Spanish language as Mar de Cortés or Mar Bermejo or Golfo de California) is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland.The narrow sea is home to a unique and rich ecosystem. In addition to a wide range of endemic creatures, it hosts many migratory species, such as the humpback whale, California Gray Whale, manta ray and Leatherback Sea Turtle.

Baja California's cool waters offer a first glimpse of warm water fishes - puffers, surgeons and mantas. Out of La Paz, Los Islotes is famous for its sea lion  colony, and hammerheads can be seen at the seamounts. Octopus, and eels are very common. The northernmost Pacific coral reef, Cabo Pulmo, is just a 3-tank day trip from Cabo San Lucas. Surface water temperature varies from 60s in winter months to 90s during the summer. Winter is the season for whale watching in Baja.

Cabo
'Nautilus Explorer'
'Solmar V'
Mar de Cortez & Amigos del Mar
Solmar Suites & Amigos del Mar

LaPaz
Baja Expeditions

COSTA RICA & COCOS ISLAND
Costa RicaRugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level). The Guanacaste Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and Talamanca Mountain Range are the main mountain ranges extending the entire length of the country. There are several active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the country’s highest mountain (Chirripo Hill) with a height of 3,819 m/12,530 ft. The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract specialist kayakers and rafters from all over the world.

In general, the climate in Costa Rica is very pleasant not only during the dry season, which extends from December to April but also during the rainy season, which runs from May to November. During the rainy season rain can be expected in the afternoons, on the other hand the mornings are usually sunny.

Due to the weather characteristics and the topography of the country, different types of forests can be appreciated: the cloud forest, the rain forest, the dry forest, and the transition forest.

Considered one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world, Costa Rica is divided in 20 natural parks, 8 biological reserves, and a series of protected areas that captivate ecotourism lovers. The variety of activities includes horseback riding, hiking mountainous paths in the cloud forests, and guided bird-watching tours.

North Pacific Region: Guancaste
The Pacific has the country's best diving, with less coral, but plenty of big fish. The most popular Pacific diving area is the Northwest, where dive centers in Playa del Coco, Ocotal and Hermosa offer trips to several spots in the Culebra Bay and the Bat Islands (Islas Murcielagos), to the Northwest, where divers often see sharks and manta rays. The dive center in Flamingo usually takes people to Santa Catalina Island, about five miles off shore, which is another good spot to see sharks and other big fish. The best visibility and water temperatures in the Northwest are found from June to September, though the conditions can change from day to day. There is good snorkeling in Curu National Wildlife Refuge, and near the beach resorts of Tambor and Montezuma. There is also usually good snorkeling off the second beach in Manuel Antonio National Park, and around the points and islands between Dominical and Marino Ballena National Park. The temperature in this area ranges from 80ºF (24ºC) and 85ºF (27ºC), although these may vary depending on the season of the year, the currents, and the thermoclines.

Don't miss the awesome arches and coral formations of Santa Elena Bay, Blanca Beach Range, and Bajo Meros (ravine), a perfect place for beginners. You may also dive in Gorda Point, Bajo Tiburones, Negritos Island, Cabros Island, and Murciélago Islands, where you might find the bull sharks which measure up to 12 feet (Carcharhinus leucas) in their natural habitat. The best time to visit this site is from March through November. Despensa Island and Catalinas Islands are also a perfect spot for observing the abundant sea life, which is difficult to find anywhere else.

All these places are great for watching different species of sharks such as the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), dolphins, morays, and rayfish, among which noteworthy is the Golden ray (Rhinoptera steindachneri) or Pacific cownose ray, of the many existing Pellagic species.

Occidental Allegro Papagayo
Occidental Grand Papagayo
Ooctal Beach Resort
Playa Hermosa
Villas Sol

South Pacific region: Osa-Peninsula
Plunge into a whole submarine garden full of coral formations and an impressive colouring.

The best diving spot in this zone is found in the Caño's Island Biological Reserve, 45 minutes away from Drake Bay-Osa Peninsula, where you will find a marine ecosystem beyond compare. In this beautiful place, you may observe hammerheaded sharks (Sphyrna lewini) , white finned sharks (Triaenodon obesus), whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), and ray fish. Your trip will be done in the pleasant company of dolphins and the migration of the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) or finback whales, as they are also known. These may be seen almost any month of the year, but their best season is when it is Winter on the Northern Hemisphere of the American Continent. A special attraction is that this area is the only place in the world where these whales come to, both from the North and the South, at different times of the year.

You will be able to explore the Tres Hermanas small Islands and the protected marine area of the Ballena Marine National Park, which possesses a huge number of coral species. This park is complemented with the abundance of existing marine life, among which we may mention the humpback whales’ (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrations.

Aguila de Osa
Jinetes de Osa

Cocos Island
Cocos IslandThis world-famous National Park was established in 1978. In 1997, UNESCO declared it a World Natural Heritage Site. Located in the Pacific side of Costa Rica, 543 km of Cabo Blanco, Coco’s Island is a real treasure that has been safeguarded, where you can dive deep into the sea and discover such unforgettable natural richness. To visit the Coco's Island you should contact a tour operator in order to organize your trip. The journey lasts approximately one day and a half, and when arriving to the Island, you will find anchoring services, lectures, walks, trails, and potable water.

Coco’s Island counts with a great diversity of natural environments, owing to conditions related to its geological origins, geographical location, and of being an oceanic island. Its flora and fauna, marine as well as terrestrial, are exceptional; even though they are known to some extent, recent studies have determined that the island houses approximately 600 species of marine mollusks, 300 species of fish and 32 species of coral, 9 of them belonging to the deep waters.

The large number of white tip sharks (Triaenodon obesus and Carcharinus albimarginatus), schools of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) during migration at the cleaning stations, tuna fish (Thunnus sp), parrot fish (Scaridae), mollusks, and other coral species, make this island one of the most marvelous places on earth to explore.

Crossing to the Cocos Island takes approximately 30 hrs from main land.
'Ocean Hunter'
'Okeanos Aggressor'

'Sea Hunter'

Almonds and Corals - Limon, Caribbean

Come for the diving and stay for the rainforests, cloudforests, river rafting and jungle.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
GalapagosThe islands made famous by Darwin are still astounding tourists on a daily basis. The Galapagos archipelago is home to some of the highest levels of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth) anywhere on the planet. About 80% of the land birds you will see, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30% of the plants are endemic. More than 20% of the marine species in Galapagos are found nowhere else on earth. Favorites include the giant Galapagos tortoise, marine iguana, flightless cormorant, and the Galapagos penguin—the only penguin species to be found in the Northern Hemisphere.

97% of the land area of Galapagos is designated as National Park and visits can be made only to specific visitor sites with certified naturalist guides. The Galapagos National Park coordinates visits to these sites and carefully monitors ecological conditions. Different sites are known for specific scenery, vegetation, and wildlife. However, many species, such as sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and a variety of coastal birds such as herons, tattlers, plovers, turnstones, and whimbrels, are common at most locations. Each visitor site has a marked trail that must be respected. Most trails are less than a mile long, often passing over rough lava or uneven boulders. Some sites have “wet landings” (visitors wade to shore from skiffs) and others have “dry landings” (passengers step foot directly on dry land).

From December through May the water and air temperatures are warmer. Seas are calm. Light rain falls for a short period of time each day, but the remainder of the day tends to be very sunny. Flowers come into bloom and vegetation is more colorful. Fish are not as numerous as they are later in the year, but this is a very good time to observe birds mating. This is also the time when sea turtles nest on the beaches.

From June through November the Humboldt Current has a stronger affect on Galapagos, bringing colder water and cooler land temperatures. It also brings nutrient-rich water that attracts fish and sea birds: albatrosses arrive on Española and penguins are easier to encounter. This is the mating season for the blue-footed boobies. During this time of year clouds fill the sky but rainfall is uncommon. Winds tend to be stronger and seas a bit rougher. This is the preferred time of year for experienced divers.

Although it is possible to get to Galapagos by boat, nearly all visitors travel there by air. Flights depart from Guayaquil or Quito (via Guayaquil). Two companies currently offer flights: TAME and AeroGal. Both charge approximately $400 for a round-trip ticket from Quito ($200 for children). There are two airports in Galapagos, one on Baltra Island and the other on San Cristobal. Upon arrival, you will have to pay an entrance fee to the Park (currently $110 for adults and $55 for children) which is used to fund management and conservation in the islands (link to explanation). Returning to the US from Galapagos requires an overnight stay in either Quito or Guayaquil.

The only way to take full advantage of these wonderful sights is to dive from a liveaboard boat.  Fortunately, the boats stop to visit Darwin Station and offer some land tours, so you get the best of both above and underwater worlds. Northern islands Darwin and Wolf are the place to dive with whale sharks, hammerheads, mantas and eagle rays. Water temperature is high 70s in Northern Islands, but can drop to the 60s elsewhere. Recommended to have 5-7 mm wetsuits. Leave time to visit the Amazon Basin while you are there.

'Deep Blue'
'Galapagos Aggressor I &II'
'Galapagos Explorer'
Peter Hughes 'Sky Dancer'

SOCORRO ISLANDS
The Revillagigedos Archipelago, more commonly called Socorro Islands, is a group of four islands off the west coast of Mexico in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These islands have been compared to Galapagos and Cocos Island because of the big animal encounters that can be found here. The remote location and extraordinary dive experience makes these islands a favorite among scuba divers around the world. The Socorro Islands located about 250 miles south from Cabo San Lucas are called the “Mexican Galapagos” where divers experience the thrill of big animal: giant manta rays, hammerheads and seasonal humpback whales.

'Nautilus Explorer'
'Solmar V'