Was told of this thread and yes, I have scheduled a trip back to the Cocos for July 30-August 9th in 2011. It will be my 12th trip there and even though I have been to almost all the major dive spots around the world, a couple of them 2 or 3 times, there is nothing like the Cocos for diving with large pelagic marine animals. I never, ever get bored of diving there as I have always had something totally unexpected and exciting happen on the trips I've led there. I could go on and on and bore everyone's head off with all my Cocos stories.
It is important to know that the best times to go, and the only times I will go, is during their rainy season between June and late August/early Sept. This doesn't mean it is cloudy all the time, actually, usually its pretty sunny, however, sometimes when the rains come it comes in torrents that last 20 minutes before everything goes back to normal. It is the rain that brings the nutrients from the island to the water that then attracts the smaller fish who then attract the hundreds of hammer heads, thousands of white tips, many silver tips, silkys, galapogos and the occassional whale sharks. Also hundreds of marble rays, and plenty of spotted eagle rays which I love to film.
While my trip is still a year away, several spots have already been taken but plenty are still left if someone would like to join us. I will also be providing group and individual video shooting and editing lessons on board for those in need. I am one of the founders of the San Diego Under Sea Film Exhibition, have had productions on National Geographic, History, Disney SeaWorld and local channels and am the primary reviewer and writer for the Final Cut Pro based websites,
Kenneth Stone and
Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group. I am always learning something new but am also happy to help people when they want it. Editing and shooting are my passion.
Well, sorry this got so long winded but if anyone has any questions about the Cocos feel free to send me an email or go to my website,
www.worldfilmsandtravel.com and I would be happy to advise or assist in any way I can whether you're on my trip or not.
Steve
ps. Thanks BDSC for posting the Vimeo of the Cocos Islands video...all the footage in that specific video was taken during only 1 trip there, in 2008