A Mexican marine biologist survived a shark attack Saturday during a dive near Cocos Island National Park, off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

The 48-year-old biologist was in stable condition with serious head, face, and arm injuries, the Costa Fire Department said.

Luis Fernandez, a doctor for the Costa Rica fire department, said the victim had to be stabilized before transporting him for some "650 kilometers, 550 by sea and 100 by land."

Fernández noted the marine biologist was trying to tag a four-meter-long shark when it "turned around and bit him in the head.”

Cocos Island is a National Park in Costa Rica, designated a World Heritage Site in 1997, famous for its great diversity of species, particularly sharks.