dan.org · Expert Article
Advanced-site current, surge, and species context.
Dive Spot Guide•
Alcyone, Cocos Island
Advanced Cocos seamount dive with hammerheads and strong current.
Boat-only, rope-assisted seamount dive for advanced liveaboard teams; strong current, surge, and long crossing make it a serious stop.
About Alcyone, Cocos Island
Alcyone is Cocos Island's signature seamount dive, a rope-assisted descent into blue water where huge schools of scalloped hammerheads gather. The site is famous for big-pelagic encounters, with mantas, whale sharks, silky sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, and snapper also possible. It is a serious boat-only dive that demands confidence in strong current, surge, and liveaboard logistics.
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Research Estimate At Alcyone, Cocos Island
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 20m
AccessDifficult access
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentVery strong current
SurgeStrong surge
Where Is Alcyone, Cocos Island?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Alcyone, Cocos Island Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
23m - 30m
Depth Note
The seamount top begins around 23 m and drops to about 30 m.
Best Season
June to November brings the biggest pelagic action; the dry season trades some intensity for clearer water.
Typical Conditions
Strong to very strong current is always possible.
Safety & Access At Alcyone, Cocos Island
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Dangerous wildlifeStrong currentSurge
Safety Notes
This is an advanced-site dive; line discipline and strict turn-around criteria matter.
Access Restrictions
No shore access or casual day-boat setup; plan this as a crewed liveaboard dive.
Legal Notes
Cocos Island is a protected national park, so park rules and operator briefings govern access.
Local Intel For Alcyone, Cocos Island
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Descend on the shot line to the seamount top and stay close to the line when current and surge are moving.
Freediving
Freediving is not appropriate here; the depth, current, and liveaboard setup make this a scuba-only site.
Snorkeling
Not a snorkel site; the action is on the seamount and the conditions are too demanding for surface-only use.
Wildlife at Alcyone, Cocos Island
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Alcyone, Cocos Island
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Alcyone, Cocos Island
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility20m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
