Scuba

What It Feels Like

The Malpelo sanctuary is a highly specialized destination for Advanced-certified divers seeking shark aggregations, fish-rich rocky slopes, walls and seamounts. The experience is entirely liveaboard-based and guided. DAN documents specific visits to La Nevera, El Arrecife and D'Artagnan, but sightings and site access depend on conditions, not advance guarantees.

Signature Sites

Start Here

La Nevera
Hammerhead cleaning-station encounters are described by DAN, particularly during cooler thermocline periods; animals remain unpredictable.
El Arrecife
Rocky reef with heavy schooling fish, morays and large predators in a firsthand DAN account; keep excellent buoyancy.
La Gringa
Steep rocky landscape; DAN describes a hazardous localized downcurrent, so this is an experienced-guided site only.

Level Up

Bajo del Monstruo
An offshore pinnacle listed among the park's named areas; conditions and ranger/guide permission govern whether it can be visited.
La Ferreteria
A current-exposed pinnacle with scorpionfish and morays reported by DAN; never assume it is accessible on a given voyage.

Advanced

D'Artagnan (Los Tres Mosqueteros)
Varied walls, boulders, gullies and jack schools reported by DAN; overhead passages are not independent technical permission.
El Acuario
Submerged rocky feature visited by DAN; diver encounters and strong currents vary considerably.

Planning Playbook

Operator Checklist

Confirm the specific vessel is on the park-approved list, berth capacity, ports, departure dates and current visitor rules. Present certification, logbook, Nitrox proof where required, medical forms and dive insurance before travel. The operator should specify guide ratios, gas, depth plan, locator configuration, emergency procedures and fee handling. Park-guided day dives only. Named sites are orientation examples; confirm the precise route and permission with the expedition team.

Conditions Fallback

Confirm the specific vessel is on the park-approved list, berth capacity, ports, departure dates and current visitor rules. Present certification, logbook, Nitrox proof where required, medical forms and dive insurance before travel. The operator should specify guide ratios, gas, depth plan, locator configuration, emergency procedures and fee handling. Park-guided day dives only. Named sites are orientation examples; confirm the precise route and permission with the expedition team.

Avoid

Do not ignore advanced skills and changing current advisories from local operators.

Scuba In 30 Seconds

Best Window: January to April for hammerhead-priority diving; other months for different pelagic possibilities.
Typical Level: Advanced Open Water / CMAS two-star equivalent or higher; park minimum 35 logged dives, but confirm the selected operator's stricter 50 total and 35 ocean dives. - [ProColombia](https://colombia.travel/en/guide-for-diving-in-colombia) describes dive terrain approximately 9 m to 42 m; this is a reported range, not a proposed dive or permission to exceed certification or current park limits.
Start Here: La Nevera, El Arrecife, D'Artagnan (Los Tres Mosqueteros)
Risk To Watch: Advanced skills and changing current

Bring List

Bring

AIS/Nautilus-compatible personal locator, confirmed with vessel
SMB
Dive knife or permitted line-cutting tool
Flashlight and position light
Fins suited to current; confirm tank valve standard

Optional

Full scuba set and personal dive computer
5mm to 7mm wetsuit and optional hood for cold thermoclines
Nitrox certificate when required by vessel

Malpelo Activity Planning