Cabo Polonio site cluster
Best time to dive
December to February; November; March
What you might see
- DolphinPossible
- Sea turtleLikely
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
Snorkel-friendly - Yes - snorkeling trips with the South American sea lion/fur seal colony on the offshore Islas de Torres are offered by La Paloma-based operators (e.g., Buceo Aventura Uruguay, also known as 'Locobuceo')
Safety notes
No dive shop, medical facility or rescue services on-site (nearest town La Paloma ~30-40km); strong Atlantic swell and surge; cold water requiring adequate exposure protection; National Park rules ban private vehicles, tents and pets, and access outside the shuttle schedule (roughly 07:30-18:30) requires 4x4/horse/foot
Permits & fees
No diving-specific permit found; general national-park entry rules apply (SNAP protected area, 25,820 ha covering land and ocean/16 islands); entry to the hamlet is via paid 4x4 shuttle only, cash-only in UYU/BRL/USD; boat-based dive/snorkel trips to Islas de Torres would need to respect wildlife-reserve protections around the sea lion colony
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Cabo Polonio
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.

