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Community diver logs with seasonal visibility and current data
Dive Spot Guide•
Tres Grutas (3 Caves)
Wall and cave dive on Sal Island with three caverns packed with fish and coral.
Boat dive from Santa Maria, typically 15 minutes from shore. Medium current common; plan to swim into it first and drift back. Best April to October.
About Tres Grutas (3 Caves)
Tres Grutas is a wall dive along the rocky southern coast of Sal Island, defined by three cave openings set into the wall at the shallower section before it drops away to its full depth. Two of the caves allow a short penetration where divers can enter with a torch, turn around, and exit safely; the third is tight enough for single-person entry only. The caves concentrate the most interesting marine life at the site: soldierfish and trumpetfish pack the interiors alongside moray eels and lobsters, and the yellow-cup coral polyps carpeting the cave walls reward a slow look with a light. Outside the cave openings the wall holds nurse sharks, green turtles, stingrays, and angelfish. Current runs at this site and typically builds with the tide, so operators generally plan the swim out against the flow and allow divers to drift back to the boat.
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Research Estimate At Tres Grutas (3 Caves)
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 15m
AccessSimple entry
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityModerate
CurrentLight current
Where Is Tres Grutas (3 Caves)?
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Community sourced coordinates.
Tres Grutas (3 Caves) Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
9m - 21m
Depth Note
Caves sit at approximately 9m on the wall; wall continues to about 18-21m maximum. Cave penetrations are shallow (8-10m inside two of the three caves).
Best Season
Diving is possible year-round from Sal Island. Conditions are most reliable April through October with calmer seas, water temperatures of 24-27C, and the best chance of seasonal large animal encounters. July and August can bring reduced visibility. December through March brings cooler water (22-24C) and occasional rough days but sites remain accessible most of the time.
Typical Conditions
Water temperatures range 22-28C across the year. Visibility typically 15m, ranging from 10m in peak summer to 20m or more in calmer months. Current of 1-2 knots is common and should be factored into the dive plan.
Safety & Access At Tres Grutas (3 Caves)
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficOverhead environmentStrong current
Safety Notes
Overhead environment in all three caves requires appropriate training, a torch, and clear turn points. Medium current is consistent; plan direction before descending. Use a safety buoy on ascent given boat traffic around Santa Maria.
Local Intel For Tres Grutas (3 Caves)
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Boat dive; descend to the wall and follow it to the shallow section where the three cave openings appear. Explore the two larger caves on a no-mount, touch-nothing penetration, then exit and visit the smaller cave for a single-person turnaround look. Continue the wall at depth after the caves. Plan the route into the current first so the return is an easier drift back to the boat. Appropriate for divers comfortable with mild overhead environments and moderate current.
Wildlife at Tres Grutas (3 Caves)
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Tres Grutas (3 Caves)
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Tres Grutas (3 Caves)
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility15m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
