MV SEA HUNTER

36m / 119ft MAX 20 NITROX PADI WIFI

PRICE PER DAY FROM USD 510

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE SPECIAL OFFERS APPLY

At a glance:

Specializes in cruises around Cocos Island
All cabins with private bathrooms
Dive The World Gold Range product
Free laundry, personal diver locator
Dedicated restaurant and computer room
Large, steel hulled boat

MV Sea Hunter is a 119 ft (36m) Cocos Island liveaboard specifically designed for long range expeditions and, in keeping with the rest of the Undersea Hunter Fleet, she is a former commercial dive support vehicle. The fleet are the original pioneers of scuba diving in Cocos.

Extensively renovated, she is now a very comfortable steel hull liveaboard with all the facilities that could be asked of a discerning diver or underwater photographer. Once the boat is moored, 4 stabilizers are lowered into the water from fixed outriggers, making the boat amazingly stable with hardly any rocking motion; ideal for passengers that suffer from motion sickness.

There are 10 cabins sleeping 20 guests in twin and double bed air-conditioned suites and cabins all with hot water en-suite bathroom facilities. The liveaboard provides a free laundry service to guests throughout Sea Hunter trips. A large air conditioned lounge is where the full range of entertainment facilities are enjoyed, as well as a study with with general books, fish ID books, a computer, TV and an extra DVD player. There is also a dedicated air-conditioned restaurant and a sundeck for soaking up the equatorial rays.

Dive facilities include free nitrox on trips, individual storage spaces, personal camera/strobe storage shelves with AC power points and a private dryer for towels and bathing suits. The boat is also equipped to service rebreathers and technical divers, and all dives are made from spacious and covered fiberglass skiffs, fitted with twin engines for added safety. Being a remote destination, everyone is issued with a personal diver locator, clipped to their BCD, to reduce the possibility of becoming lost.

You may also be able to experience an incredible dive in the DeepSee Submersible that is housed on board the sister ship MV Argo. Argo must be positioned at Cocos Island at the same time as your cruise. Spacious and practical and built for long distance trips, MV Sea Hunter could not be better prepared for the incredible liveaboard dive adventures that Cocos Island has to offer.

MV Sea Hunter has 8 Lower deck twin/double bed cabins and 2 Upper deck suites, all with private en-suite bathrooms. The suites are on the upper deck with seaview windows. One has a queen size bed and the other has a queen size bed and a single top bunk bed. All twin/double bed cabins are located on the lower deck and have portholes. 2 of these cabins have twin beds and two have bunk beds. 4 of the cabins have a double bed and a single top bunk bed.

All the cabins have:

Personal-control air-conditioning
Bathroom with hot water shower and hand basin
Bedding, toiletries and towels
Private large screen TV & DVD player (Suites only)
Portholes (lower deck), windows (upper deck)

Reading lights
Cabinet, shelves and mirror
Fire warning system and fire extinguisher
USA-flat pin 110-220V electricity
Space for luggage

No. of bathrooms / showers - 11 / 12 - hot water

Cocos Island (11 Days / 10 Nights - 24 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Cocos Island, including Dos Amigos, Manuelita, Bajo Alcyone and Dirty Rock

Day 1
Pick up time from your hotel in San Jose is usually between 08:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs as the boat departure from Puntarenas is affected by the tides. The right time will be communicated to you prior to departure day. The drive to the seaport village takes about 3 hours and includes a stop on the way for a snack or lunch (not included in the trip price). It is a long but pleasant transfer that will give you the chance to see the lush tropical forests and rich farmlands of the region. Once on board MV Sea Hunter you can relax on the sundeck while the cruise embarks on its way to the Cocos island. It takes approx. 36 hours to reach the island.

Days 2-10
On most days the 1st dive of your diving vacation is at 08:00 hrs but a light breakfast is already available since 07:00 hrs. Be ready for a week of amazing diving with tiger sharks, wahoo, marble rays, white tip sharks, milkfish, yellow fin tunas and also hammerheads. A second hot breakfast is served while on board, before the 2nd dive of the morning which is usually at around 11:00 hrs. Buffet style lunch is usually at 12:00 hrs. The menu offers a delicious combination of American and local cuisine. Fresh tropical fruit and salads will help you stay well hydrated. There is still a 3rd dive of the day in the early afternoon at 14:30 hrs. Then snacks and sun bathing for the rest of the day. Dinner is served at 18:00 hrs, but 3 times during the trip there will also be a 4th dive (night dive). Each dive will be introduced by a briefing done by the guides on board to give you more details about the sites and marine life you are about to see. Expect to see tons of sharks!
Days 2, 9 and 10 do not include a full day of diving due to the late arrival at/early departure from Cocos Island.

Day 11
The liveaboard returns to Puntarenas and the check out is at 08:00 hrs, after an early light breakfast. You will be transferred either to your hotel or to the San Jose Airport. It will take about 2 hours to reach your destination.

Cocos Island (12 Days / 11 Nights - 27 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Cocos Island, including Dos Amigos, Manuelita, Bajo Alcyone and Dirty Rock

Day 1
Pick up time from your hotel in San Jose is usually in the morning but the boat departure from Punta Arenas is affected by the tides. The right time will be communicated to you prior to departure day. The drive to the seaport village takes about 3 hours and includes a stop on the way for a snack or lunch (not included in the trip price). It is a long but pleasant transfer that will give you the chance to see the lush tropical forests and rich farmlands of the region. Once on board MV Sea Hunter you can relax on the sundeck while the cruise embarks on its way to the Cocos island. It takes approx. 36 hours to reach the island.

Days 2-11
The 1st dive of your diving vacation is at 08:00 hrs but a light breakfast is already available since 07:00 hrs. Be ready for a week of amazing diving with tiger sharks, wahoo, marble rays, white tip sharks, milkfish, yellow fin tunas and also hammerheads. A second hot breakfast is served while on board, before the 2nd dive of the morning which is usually at around 11:00 hrs. Buffet style lunch is usually at 12:00 hrs. The menu offers a delicious combination of American and local cuisine. Fresh tropical fruit and salads will help you stay well hydrated. There is still a 3rd dive of the day in the early afternoon at 14:30 hrs. Then snacks and sun bathing for the rest of the day. Dinner is served at 18:00 hrs, but 3 times during the trip there will also be a 4th dive (night dive). Each dive will be introduced by a briefing done by the guides on board to give you more details about the sites and marine life you are about to see. Expect to see tons of sharks!
Days 2 and 10 do not include a full day of diving due to the late arrival at/early departure from Cocos Island.

Day 12
The liveaboard returns to Punta Arenas and the check out is after an early light breakfast. You will be transferred either to your hotel or to the San Jose Airport. It will take about 2 hours to reach your destination.

Cocos Island (15 Days / 14 Nights - 36 Dives)

Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Cocos Island, including Dos Amigos, Manuelita, Bajo Alcyone and Dirty Rock

b>Day 1
Pick up time from your hotel in San Jose is usually in the morning but the boat departure from Punta Arenas is affected by the tides. The right time will be communicated to you prior to departure day. The drive to the seaport village takes about 3 hours and includes a stop on the way for a snack or lunch (not included in the trip price). It is a long but pleasant transfer that will give you the chance to see the lush tropical forests and rich farmlands of the region. Once on board MV Sea Hunter you can relax on the sundeck while the cruise embarks on its way to the Cocos island. It takes approx. 36 hours to reach the island.

Days 2-14
The 1st dive of your diving vacation is at 08:00 hrs but a light breakfast is already available since 07:00 hrs. Be ready for a week of amazing diving with tiger sharks, wahoo, marble rays, white tip sharks, milkfish, yellow fin tunas and also hammerheads. A second hot breakfast is served while on board, before the 2nd dive of the morning which is usually at around 11:00 hrs. Buffet style lunch is usually at 12:00 hrs. The menu offers a delicious combination of American and local cuisine. Fresh tropical fruit and salads will help you stay well hydrated. There is still a 3rd dive of the day in the early afternoon at 14:30 hrs. Then snacks and sun bathing for the rest of the day. Dinner is served at 18:00 hrs, but 3 times during the trip there will also be a 4th dive (night dive). Each dive will be introduced by a briefing done by the guides on board to give you more details about the sites and marine life you are about to see. Expect to see tons of sharks!
Days 2 and 10 do not include a full day of diving due to the late arrival at/early departure from Cocos Island.

Day 15
The liveaboard returns to Punta Arenas and the check out is after an early light breakfast. You will be transferred either to your hotel or to the San Jose Airport. It will take about 2 hours to reach your destination.

[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].

The crew of 9 comprise:

2 Divemasters
Captain
Cook

2 Stewardesses
Engineer
2 Deck Hands

Complimentary nitrox - 452ft² (42m²) Dive deck with rinse tanks, hot water showers and personal storage bins - Camera storage area and recharge points for each guest - Sea kayaks - Main deck 270ft² (25m²) air-conditioned saloon with TV, video player, music system, movie library, books, magazines, satellite telephone and bathroom - Study room with computer, CD burner, e-mail facility, photo and video editing facilities - 377ft² (35m²) Dedicated air-conditioned restaurant with Espresso machine and icemaker - Free laundry service - Sundeck and shaded area with sun chairs, mattresses and barbecue stand - Water dispenser

All scuba diving at Cocos Island is made from the 2 x 26ft (8m) fiberglass dive tenders. The tenders have 115 HP twin engines and are built for 10 divers. They each have roof shades, camera storage areas, emergency oxygen, radios, first aid kits, rugged exit ladders, and deck lights to aid night diving. Customers scuba equipment stays on the tenders at all times, so there is no need to move your gear after each dive.

Meals on board the Sea Hunter are all served buffet-style in the dining room on the main deck at tables seating 4 diners each. You can expect the menu to include international cuisine as well as local Costa Rican and central American specialties. Snacks are available throughout the day and are included in the price, as is a complimentary beer after the last dive.

The meals begin with lunch on the first day of the cruise. It is important that you provide advance notice of your dietary requirements. Once the boat leaves port for the long crossing to Cocos island, there are no supermarkets.

International and local cuisine is served with the occasional BBQ.
Air-conditioned restaurant with buffet-style meals and waitress service.
Meals consist of breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in-between.
Snacks consist of cookies, candy bars, ice creams, fruit and bread/toast.
Coffee, tea, drinking water, soft drinks and a beer after your last dive are provided free of charge.
Wine can be purchased onboard.
All dietary requirements including Halal and vegetarian can be catered for - please send advanced notice.
Catering begins with dinner at check-in.

Built in year 1980, restored in 2010
Size - 119ft x 27ft (36m x 8.1m)
Weight - 250 gross tonnes
Top speed - 11 knots
Cruising speed - 10 knots
2 x 700 HP GM engines
75 & 65 KW Generators
2 x Mako scuba tank compressors

Enriched air nitrox membrane system
12 liter aluminum tanks with Int. valves (15 liter tanks available on advanced rental)
Electricity - 110 & 220V 24 hours per day
Water capacity - 56,800 liters
Fresh watermaker - 6,800 liters per day
Fuel capacity - 75,700 liters

2 x life rafts
2 x 115 HP Twin-engine dive tenders
VHF Icom full band radio, SSB radio telephone & 3 handheld radios
Radio Direction finder SIMRAD TAYIO TD-1550
36 & 48 Mile Furuno radars
2 Magellan & 1 Furuno GPS
2 Depth sounders
22 Mini personal diver locators
Mini B300 ILS EPIRB

Autopilot
SAT-COM telephone, datalink system and email
Searchlight, horn & life rings
MFA box and trained staff
Defibrillator
Emergency oxygen - 6,800 liters, plus extra large tanks
Fire extinguishers and life jackets

DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES

MORE TRIP DETAILS

Notes: Cocos is a popular destination with limited liveaboard spaces. We recommend you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dive experience: Recommendation: A minimum of 50 hours underwater. Nitrox and advanced certifications are also highly recommend. The Enriched Air Nitrox course can be taken onboard during the crossing for US$ 250. Having experience with currents is also recommended. December-May has less strong currents, and is the more advisable period for scuba divers trying to avoid them. But in general the recommendations apply to the whole year as strong currents could be present at any time.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, dives (as detailed in the trips above), experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (max number of divers per DM is 10), tanks, weights, weightbelt, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, return land transfer from San Jose to Puntarenas, personal diver locator (EPIRB), all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (US$ 30 per day for BCD, reg & wetsuit), diving insurance, Cocos Island National Park fee (10 nights US$ 554, 11 nights US$ 633) to be paid in advance, fuel surcharge (US$ 200). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, torch (US$ 7 per day), dive computer, 15 litre tank (US$ 12 per day), dive insurance. DeepSee submersible dives (subject to availability, depth range from 100 to 300m, prices range from US$ 1,500 to US$ 1,895). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: MV Sea Hunter departs from Puntarenas. Guests fly into Costa Rica and overnight in San Jose. You will be transferred from your hotel in San Jose between 8 am - 1 pm to Puntarenas, provided you stay in a recommended hotel. The journey takes 2-3 hours. You will be informed of your pick-up time from San Jose. Departure times from Puntarenas vary according to the tides, between 10 am - 4 pm. For more details, including airlines, see our Costa Rica travel information section. The last dive of the trip will be on the second last day of the trip. Disembarkation time is 8 am. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Non-diver rate: None.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 100% of the published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 9 guests and 1 additional person can join the cruise in a Lower deck twin/double cabin free of charge.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 18 guests and 2 additional persons can join the cruise in a Lower deck twin/double cabin free of charge (total 18 or more guests).

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