Dirty Rock

Protected Area

Parc national de l'île Cocos

Why dive here

With 288+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, blue sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and giant moray eels - Dirty Rock offers some of Cocos Island's richest diving.

Marine lifeBlacktip Reef Sharks, Blue Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Giant Moray Eels · 288+ species recorded

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Dirty Rock, it’s not the prettiest name, but trust us, this pinnacle is one of our absolute favourites at Cocos. You drop in, often into a decent current, and immediately feel that surge of anticipation. The rock itself is a magnet for big stuff. We’ve had dives here where the schools of hammerheads are so thick, they literally blot out the sun for a few seconds. It’s like a living curtain. Below, the volcanic rock drops down to about 40 metres, and that’s where you position yourself, hooking in if the current is properly ripping. This is where the show really happens. We’re talking Galapagos sharks cruising by with that slow, deliberate power. Marble rays, some easily over two metres across, glide past almost without effort. Look closely into the nooks and crannies too; the moray eels, especially the speckled ones, are always curious. The visibility can be anything from 10 to 30 metres, depending on the currents and plankton, but it’s rarely a problem when you’ve got so much action right in front of you. This isn’t a leisurely drift; it’s an adrenaline shot, best suited for experienced divers comfortable in strong currents. Come here for the sheer volume of pelagics; it rarely disappoints.