Dirty Rock

The name refers to the seabird whitewash on the stacks above; below, Dirty Rock is arguably Cocos's most consistent dive. A rubble channel between the main rock and its outliers acts as a highway - hammerheads cross it singly and in schools, marbled rays hug the bottom, and green turtles plow through the middle of everything. Massive balls of bigeye jacks form here, dense enough to swallow a diver's entire field of view, with silkies and the occasional Galapagos shark patrolling the edges. When the current runs, it feels less like visiting a reef than standing at a junction in open ocean watching traffic.

Het moment waar je voor komt: Jack schools that block the sun, hammerhead crossings, marbled rays on the channel floor

Topografie: Guano-stained rock stacks and a boulder channel dropping past 30 m

Stroming: Current splits around the rock; guides position groups on the lee shoulder facing the channel.

Gevaren: Current, surge near the stacks, easy to overstay depth in the excitement.

Behoud: National park rules; moorings only, groups follow ranger-approved plans.

Nitrox: Hier de moeite waard: profielen liggen in het bereik waar nitrox de no-stop-tijd zinvol verlengt (met de juiste training om het te gebruiken).