Argo
The ultimate adventure divers’ liveaboard offering unsurpassed facilities for underwater exploration
per person
per person
Overview
- Outstanding knowledge, with more than 30 years of local dive experience
- See the hidden wonders of Cocos Island from the DeepSee - a custom-designed submersible
- Refuel after each adventurous dive with exquisite, freshly-prepared cuisine
- Relax in exceptional cabins and plenty of space for extended voyages
Argo is an adventure divers dream-come-true, offering once-in-a-lifetime trips to some of Planet Earth’s remotest regions. Specialising in action-packed itineraries to the legendary Cocos Island, this vessel comes well-equipped for extensive exploration of wild and untamed waters. Relax in superior comfort between each intrepid dive where you’ll put Argo’s expert range of rec and tech scuba facilities to full use - including an onboard submarine! Plus, researchers and production teams can complete their projects with ease, thanks to countless conveniences, from heavy lifting capabilities to remote operating vehicle deployment, and a dedicated workshop.
Upcoming trips
Cabins
- If you are a solo traveller, we aim to allocate shared cabins on a same-sex basis.
- Non-shareable cabins can not be shared with another single traveler outside your party. A single occupancy surcharge will be applied.
Amenities
Boat
Dive facilities
- If you are a solo traveller, we aim to allocate shared cabins on a same-sex basis.
- Non-shareable cabins can not be shared with another single traveler outside your party. A single occupancy surcharge will be applied.
Vessel
Vessel information
The Argo is owned and operated by Undersea Hunter Group, one of the world's preeminent adventure dive operators. For more than 30 years, the fleet has specialised in liveaboard diving trips to the legendary Cocos Islands, while also offering unique project capabilities anywhere on the planet. Throughout this time, the Undersea Hunter Group have dedicated their vast experience and ever-evolving technology to providing successful, unique and rewarding experiences for adventure divers, filmmakers and scientists alike.
Completely redesigned and refitted in 2008, the Argo is a physical expression of Undersea Hunter Group’s knowledge and expertise, assembled into a single dive expedition cruiser. The 40-metre vessel is an intentional blend of work-ship and luxury yacht, capable of servicing the needs of any guest, for up to four action-packed weeks at sea. Guests can make the most of comfortable common areas, delectable on-demand cuisine, and a high crew to guest ratio, alongside extensive tech diving capabilities, a deck-mountable production workshop, and a custom-built deep-sea submarine!
Onboard Argo
This superb 40-metre vessel accommodates up to 18 discriminating passengers in nine spacious and well-appointed staterooms. Argo’s main saloon is the hub of social activity, offering comfortable seating and nightly entertainment including slide shows, DVDs, games and more. Meals are varied, abundant and well-balanced, offering a delicious combination of American and local Costa Rican cuisine, and can be served at the drop-of-a-hat by one of Argo’s accomplished chefs. Between dives, a large sun deck with comfortable loungers provides the perfect place to relax. Several Cocos Island excursions are also possible, including waterfall visits, trips to the isolated Ranger Station at Chatham Bay, or an incredible eight-hour trek to the summit of Cerro Yglesias, the highest peak on Cocos Island.
Diving from Argo
Argo’s diving facilities are well designed with individual gear storage, a deck shower and a dry towel after every dive. Nitrox fills are free for certified guests, and the Nitrox Speciality course and ScubaPro rental equipment can be provided at an additional cost. Argo is also fully tech-friendly, offering extensive tri-mix and rebreather support. Diving is done from three seven-metre skiffs which comfortably seat nine guests and are extremely stable in all conditions. Personal dive gear is kept onboard the skiffs during the duration of the trip, reducing wear and tear and ensuring guests are always ready to take advantage of a fleeting opportunity.
DeepSee
This vessel was conceived to serve as the ultimate platform for Undersea Hunter Group’s very own deep-sea submarine - designed and developed specifically with the ocean enthusiast and underwater adventurer in mind. DeepSee is capable of carrying a pilot and two passengers to a depth of 450-metres, providing an unparalleled 360-degree field of vision. Production crews can also make use of a deck-mountable workshop equipped with everything you could need, including IMAX compatible facilities.
Top tips
- Keep your camera closeby during dive site shuttles - it’s common for the skiff drivers to spot memorable surface experiences such as dolphins, mantas, and whales.
- The view from DeepSee is unparalleled, with a 360-degree field of vision. The acrylic sphere almost disappears when immersed, giving the sensation of total freedom.
- Argo’s unique deck-mountable Pro Lab was designed and built to seamlessly accommodate IMAX cameras and related equipment.
- Nights can be a little chilly, so pack a jumper and windbreaker, as well as some comfortable shoes for hiking the Cocos Island trails.
Conservation
The Undersea Hunter Group has been an unshakable advocate of environmental protection from their very beginnings. Not only do they carefully recycle all waste from their vessels, but they also receive, transport and separate all refuse produced and collected by the park rangers, volunteers and academic investigators working at Cocos Island.
All pork and beef served on Undersea Hunter Group’s vessels is Costa Rican-raised from suppliers that use no chemicals or antibiotics in their husbandry. Likewise, all fruits and vegetables used are locally-grown without the use of pesticides or chemicals, following international organic guidelines. Also, cleaning substances used both aboard the vessels and dockside, are the most environmentally-friendly, biodegradable products available.
The Undersea Hunter Group also cooperates with the Costa Rican Ministry of Education to instruct classes of specially chosen students in the importance of marine conservation, providing tours of their facilities, sharing videos of Cocos Island, and giving educational presentations.