Gorgona Island

Before Diving

• Match site choice to certification, logged experience, current/surge conditions and park approval. Advanced requirements can apply even when an individual shallower site seems manageable.
• Confirm checked cylinders, gas fills, exposure protection, SMB/PLB or equivalent surface signaling, oxygen, emergency radio/satellite communications, rescue capability and pick-up procedures on the actual booked vessel.
• Never dive alone; use the assigned guide, follow the site briefing and keep within training and non-decompression limits.
• Ask specifically whether night dives, Nitrox and which sites are permitted on that departure. A seller marketing night dives is not independently verified park approval for every night or site.
• Do not approach, chase, feed or touch sharks, turtles, corals or whales; an underwater humpback sound is not an invitation to swim toward a whale.
• Plan minimum flying-after-diving intervals using DAN guidance and conservative personal dive planning. Repetitive diving requires a longer interval than a single no-decompression dive.
• Depth freediving is a separate discipline. No currently verified dedicated depth program or rescue system was found; do not interpret careteo permissions as unlimited freedive access. Operator equipment and rules; DAN preflight guidance; park animal rules.

There is no independently verified on-island visitor hospital or hyperbaric chamber. ESE Guapi has published information describing 24-hour emergency services on the mainland. Confirm its current receiving capacity before departure; this does not establish chamber capability or assured boat/air evacuation. Prior to departure, have the vessel manager and insurer identify the receiving facility, current chamber availability, oxygen capacity, weather/sea contingency, medical transport and communications plan. In a serious incident activate local emergency services or maritime response first, provide oxygen by trained personnel when indicated, then contact DAN for specialist dive emergency support. Colombia's 2026 Ministry of Health recommends checking yellow fever risk and vaccination needs for exact municipalities and travelers. Guapi medical center; DAN emergency care; yellow fever advice.

Park Rules Matter More Than a Brochure

Gorgona protects rainforest, reef, rocky intertidal and marine habitats. A guided conservation briefing and park registration are required. Stay within authorized marine sites and land trails. Do not bring pets, alcohol, single-use plastics, psychoactive substances or forbidden aerosols into the park. Do not collect rocks, shells, corals or organisms, touch reef structures, feed wildlife or damage vegetation.

Whales and Other Marine Wildlife

The current park page instructs visitors to observe whales only in chance encounters and without chasing them. Earlier park whale guidance describes respectful vessel distance, lifejackets and local naturalist support; always obey the newest applicable instructions from the park and captain. No whale swim, baiting or close approach is advertised as an authorized activity.

Local Communities

The park describes a conservation agreement with artisanal fishers from Bazan. Where excursions include mainland community culture around Guapi, engage with invited local hosts and respect community protocols rather than treating residences or fishing areas as unrestricted tourist access. Park nature and restrictions; responsible whale guidance.