All alone in the Pacific Ocean, this 2,400-hectare island of ancient volcanic rock rises to a height of 634 meters and is covered with luxuriant rain forest. Isolated as it is, few species of plants and animals have managed to colonize its shores over the ages, and of those that have, many of evolved into distinct forms from those that originally reached the island. As on islands everywhere, this process has resulted in the creation of endemics -- species found nowhere else in the world.

Among the endemic creatures of Cocos Island are 2 species of small lizards, 65 insects, various types of freshwater fishes, and three birds, the Cocos Cuckoo, Cocos Flycatcher, and Cocos Finch. This last species is related to the famous Darwin's finches of the Galapagos Islands, several hundred kilometers to the south.

Unfortunately, one way that some species reach remote islands is through introductions by man. In the case of Cocos, humans have been responsible for bringing pigs, cats, goats, and white-tailed deer to the island, as well as plants such as coffee and guava. These non-native species can often cause great damage to the existing flora and fauna, which has happened on Cocos, especially with the pigs and cats.

What draws most visitors to Cocos, however, is the incredible diving experience it offers to those willing to venture the voyage. The visibility in the waters around the island is exceptional and the quantity and variety of marine life is simply astounding. The greatest thrill for most divers is witnessing the huge schools of Hammerhead Sharks that are notoriously famous in these waters, although fortunately not known to be aggressive towards humans.

To get there: From the port of Puntarenas, navigate on a southwest course for 620 kilometers and you can't miss it. Actually, since Cocos Island is so far away from the Costa Rican mainland, the only feasible way of visiting the island is with one of the live-aboard diving ships that offer ten-day tours (six days are spent at the island since it takes about 36 hours traveling time each way). That is, of course, unless you have a private yacht.

Fishing: The opportunities are unimaginable, but its a helluva long way to go just to fish!

History: Tales of pirates and buried treasure are commonly associated with Cocos Island and it is said that this isolated spot was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, Treasure Island.

Supposedly the island was used as a hideout by buccaneers during colonial times, due to its remoteness, abundance of fresh water, and safe anchorage in both Wafer and Chatham Bays. To have a source of fresh meat each time they returned to the island, these ocean-going outlaws released pigs and goats on the island (causing serious ecological damage to the island's plant life, but this obviously was of no concern to them).

At least three treasures are rumored to have been buried on the island, one by Capt. Edward Davis in 1685, another by Benito Bonito in 1820, and the third a year later by Capt. William Thompson. This final booty was the legendary "Treasure of Lima." As far as is known, although hundreds of attempts have been made to unearth the treasures, none have been successful in finding anything more than a few doubloons.

Scientists and naturalists agree, however, that the greatest riches to be found here are the biological ones. It was the uniqueness of the island's flora and fauna along with the bountiful marine life that earned the island its place among the Costa Rican national parks via an Executive Decree in 1978.

Unfortunately, this status alone has not been adequate in protecting the area's marine resources. Numerous reports cite cases of sharks being caught for their fins, and after these have been removed, the animals are tossed back into the sea to die an agonizing death. Illegal fishing continues to be a problem within the park's jurisdiction as insufficient manpower and funding leave the park service incapable of effectively confronting the situation.

Recently, the Cousteau Society, at the invitation of former Costa Rican President, Rodrigo Carazo, has shown great interest in helping to protect the island's marine inhabitants and hopefully adequate protection will be achieved in the future.