El Acuario (Malpelo)
Also known as: The Aquarium, Acquario
Best time to dive
January to June; December to May; May to October
What you might see
- Hammerhead sharkLikely
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 - No - liveaboard-only deep pinnacle/current site, not offered
Safety notes
strong-current site requiring quick descent via mooring line; cold-water thermocline exposure; remote-location evacuation risk; no decompression chamber nearby
Permits & fees
Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary fee, paid onboard: approx $400 USD per ~6-11 day trip (operator-quoted, not an official government fee schedule); managed by Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia and DIMAR (navigation authority); only one liveaboard permitted at the island at a time
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.