Three hundred and forty miles off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica there lies an emerald island just over nine square miles in area, rising like a jewel from the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Unique and rare in the world, Cocos Island serves as a converging point for migratory deep ocean species that arrive at its coasts to feed and reproduce. It is an oceanic island, formed by and a product entirely of the ocean, a natural laboratory, isolated far from any continent or other lands. Rich and unique biodiversity blankets the island and its territory, a mixture of biological elements of different origins, which are under the influence of a system of marine currents, creating a particular geological history, isolated from the influence of the American continents, drawing seed for its rich, teeming life from the winds, currents, insects and birds.

There are no accomodations on the island, no facilities for buying or preparing food. Camping is not allowed, nor is molestation or extraction of land or marine fauna permitted. Fishing vessels are strictly prohibitted anywhere near the island, and docking is only permitted in two bays on Cocos. Showers and restrooms are the only conveniences provided to visitors lucky enough to visit this rare and precious jewel of natural beauty teeming with life.

The topography of Cocos is irregular and abrupt, with cliffs, rivers, creeks and waterfalls. Around the island, submerged beneath the ocean's surface and weaving below and within the island itself, are a maze of submarine caves. Diving in the Cocos Territories is considered a once in a lifetime experience, and is dangerous, frought with changing currents and vast open stretches of ocean completely isolated from any other land, not for the inexperienced of divers. Requirements at Cocos for diving are an open water license at the least, and, preferably, an advanced open water license. Diving is not permitted in groups larger than ten persons, who must be accompanied by a dive master.

Getting to the island is not an easy or economical task, but the reward to a lucky visitor is widely considered to be well worth the trouble. The trip may last 30 to 36 hours with the good fortune of a calm sea. Visitation is strictly controlled, and the sparse human population that does exist on the island is entirely devoted to research and preservation. Visitors to the island may be guided along only the permitted trails that traverse the island.

Although estimates on species inventories is far from complete, the following list is an impressive showing of the rich biodiversity that exists in the highly important and protected territory of the island:

Ecotourism at its finest may be found on Cocos Island and its territories. Considered to be a must-see for the hard core ecotourist and nature enthusiast alike, Cocos is a World Heritage Site unlike any other.