Isabelle Barbier
• 8 min read
Why is Malpelo "only for the brave?" How do you get there? What are the different seasons in Malpelo? How strong are the currents? What can you expect to see on the dive sites, and in the blue? What are the liveaboards going to Malpelo like? Discover everything you need to know to plan a dive trip to Malpelo!
Hidden deep in the eastern Pacific, Malpelo is one of the wildest and most remote dive destinations on Earth. Few places offer such raw, untamed encounters with pelagic life, and fewer still demand as much commitment from divers. This rocky fortress rising from the ocean belongs to Colombia but feels like another planet entirely: exposed, rugged, swept by currents, and home to extraordinary concentrations of sharks. Malpelo is challenging, unpredictable, and awe-inspiring—a place only experienced divers reach, and one that leaves nobody unchanged.
How Do You Get to Malpelo?
The journey begins on the mainland of Colombia. Most divers fly into Cali (CLO), the closest major city at least one day before departure. On the next morning, the liveaboard team will pick you up, and will take you to Buenaventura, a port city on the Pacific coast. There are only 12 divers on board the Ferox or the Vivax liveaboard, and you'll share a big bus to get there. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions on the mountain road between the Andes and the coast.
From Buenaventura, liveaboards set sail toward Malpelo. The crossing is long—typically 30 to 40 hours—and the ocean can be rough. This transit gives you a first taste of the remoteness ahead: once you leave port, you’re truly heading into the open Pacific, far from any nearby land or rescue.
How Is the Diving Around Malpelo Island?
Malpelo is essentially the exposed summit of a massive underwater ridge. Above water, it appears as a sheer, barren rock with cliffs plunging straight into the sea. Underwater, those cliffs turn into dramatic walls, deep pinnacles, reefs coated in dense schools of fish, and sharp ridges swept by strong currents.
Malpelo is very exposed, and for experienced divers only. A miminum of 50 dives with experience in currents is recommended, and also good physical fitness, an Advanced Open Water or level 2, with a Nitrox certification.
Read our guide toDiving in Colombia to decide if this is the best area for your level, or contact SeaCrush for some personalized advice!
The best thing about Malpelo is that you're only 12 divers in the water at all times, this is the only area in the Pacific where there's only one boat at a time in the marine park. You'll dive in two groups of six divers.
The most iconic dive sites—such as La Nevera, La Gringa, or El Bajo del Monstruo—offer an arena-like environment where sharks gather in astonishing numbers. These dives are often deep, current-heavy, and blue-water oriented, which adds to the sense of raw immersion in pelagic territory.
This liveaboard will take you to Malpelo island. It's best to book one to two years in advance, as spaces are very limited: malpelo liveaboard (9 nights starting from ...)
What Are the Two Seasons in Malpelo? How Are the Marine Life & the Water Temperature?
Malpelo is a year-round destination, but the experience varies dramatically by season.
December to May generally offers colder water—often (16–18°C), and reduced visibility (3 to 15 meters) due to the nutrient rich waters. Large schools of hammerheads can be observed close and at shallow depths of 10 meters or less. Silky sharks are commonly seen in the blue.
June to November brings warmer water (25-27°C), improved visibility, with clearer waters, and large schools of hammerheaads sharks at around 20 meters depth. Some nutrient-rich upwellings that attract even denser biomass: baitballs, schooling jacks, and vast mixed pelagic activity. Whale sharks can appear at any time. Large schools of Silky sharks can be observed especially during the early months of the wet season.
Galapagos sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, and tiger sharks can also be seen in Malpelo.
What About the “Ferox Shark”?
Among Malpelo’s many shark species, the Galápagos shark, hammerheads, and silkies get much of the attention—but divers here often develop a special admiration for the ferox shark, more commonly called the smalltooth sand tiger (Odontaspis ferox).
Rarely observed elsewhere, this deep-water species occasionally rises along the walls and pinnacles of Malpelo, especially where the currents push nutrients upward. With its long, slender body and protruding teeth, the ferox shark has an almost prehistoric look, adding to the surreal atmosphere of diving here. Sightings are unpredictable and always thrilling—one of Malpelo’s true treasures.
Have a look at our August 2025 video diving in Malpelo with the VIVAX liveaboard. We were lucky to see a pregnant Ferox shark, passing by in front of us, at only 17 meters depth, at Bajo el Montruo dive site! What a thrill!
How Is Malpelo Protected?
Malpelo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fully protected marine sanctuary, but its isolation doesn’t shield it entirely from threats. Illegal long-lining and industrial fishing have historically plagued the region, targeting the very sharks and pelagic species that make Malpelo unique. Enforcement is challenging due to the remoteness, but patrols and conservation efforts have strengthened in recent years.
The Silky liveaboard plays a supportive role in these efforts, working closely with marine rangers, assisting with surveillance, and facilitating scientific missions when needed. Having a physical and visible presence is key to protect the park. To support Malpelo's conservation efforts through the Silky liveaboard, you can donate to Biodiversity Conservation Colombia
Divers visiting Malpelo contribute directly to the island’s visibility and its ongoing protection—responsible tourism is part of why this extraordinary ecosystem still thrives.
What Do the Ferox and the Vivax Liveaboards Look Like?
The Ferox and Vivax liveaboards are built for challenging offshore expeditions, offering robust hull designs, and experienced crews who know Malpelo’s conditions intimately. The atmosphere onboard is friendly, focused, and united by a shared sense of adventure.
Given the long journey and demanding diving, comfort on board is essential.
Although many divers like to have individual cabins with no supplement, the overall comfort on board is very basic. Don't expect the comfort you'd usually get on a livebaoard in the Pacific.
There's not much of a covered area, except where we eat our meals. During the rainy season, it can cold and windy - don't forget a rain-jacket and something to cover your ears. The dining area only has benches or stools to sit on, and the deck has bean bags. The Ferox has a small dry common room, while the Vivax does not have any so far.
We enjoyed that the dive gear was staying on the skiffs at all times - we didn't have to carry anything. The team is very professional, efficient and friendly. They deserve credit for the success of the operation.
Meals are hearty and plentiful, with a mix of Colombian dishes and international fare.
How Much Tipping Is Expected for Diving?
The common used currency onboard is the USD. Bring small notes.
The crew mostly lives on tips, and it's customary to leave at least 10% of the total cost of the trip. If you bought the trip on sale, please leave 10% of the original cost of the trip, as it makes a big difference to the crew! Tips can only be given in cash so think of how much you'll need ahead.
Which Dive Gear Will I Need? What Should I Bring vs. Rent?
We recommend to bring your own dive gear. Availability on board is limited. sBring a 7 mm wetsuit or semi-dry from January to May, and a 3 to 5 mm the rest of the year. A Hood is a good idea too. Reef hook are not used as currents are chaging, and we do a lot of drifting.
Currents can be strong so make sure your fins are appropriate for these conditions. You'll be given a Nautilus lifeline for the duration of the trip, and you should have your own SMB.
Aside from the usual diving equipment, you can bring several bathing suits as you'll want to stay dry between dives, some warm and comfortable clothes for the evenings (a couple of sweaters, some leggings), a hat, and a windbreaker.
Take along some sea sickness tablets if you're prone to it, and don't forget plenty of battery and SD cards for your camera!
To go to diving in Malpelo, check-out the latest availability: malpelo liveaboard (9 nights starting from ...), or contact SeaCrush for some personalized advice - we've been there!
