El Altar de la Virgen
Also known as: Altar de Virginia
Best time to dive
January to April; May to December
What you might see
- BarracudaLikely
- Eagle rayLikely
- Grey reef sharkLikely
- Hammerhead sharkLikely
- Whale sharkPossible
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Not a snorkel site - Not offered - Malpelo diving requires boat/liveaboard scuba access far offshore
Safety notes
Strong/unpredictable currents, remote location (no chamber on site - nearest recompression facility requires travel to mainland Colombia), advanced certification required, fatalities/missing-diver incidents documented at Malpelo generally
Permits & fees
Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary marine park fee, cited by one liveaboard operator at approximately USD 400 for a 10-day trip (USD 440 for 11 days), paid onboard; Advanced Open Water certification with 50+ logged dives (35+ open water) required, documentation submitted in advance
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Buenaventura
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.