Diving in Colombia?

Has anyone done any diving off the coast of Colombia? (Pacific side). I'm headed there on assignment and am interested in what to expect. Specifically, I'm going to Gorgona and Nuqui to dive.

What is the water temp this time of year?

Has anyone done any diving off the coast of Colombia? (Pacific side). I'm headed there on assignment and am interested in what to expect. Specifically, I'm going to Gorgona and Nuqui to dive.

 

What is the water temp this time of year?

From what i have been told, I think you'll be looking at 23-26ºC, depending on the currents. A good 5mm with optional hood and gloves should cover the bases.

This from Colombia's official website:

http://www.colombia.travel/en/internationa...e-pacific-coast

I suspect Isla Gorgona will be a hit and miss dive spot - if your operator has good knowledge there may be a hidden gem awaiting you. I visited Colombia last year and dived the Caribbean side, where everything had been either eaten or smothered by algae (with the exception of the offshore island Providencia, which is actually closer to Nicuragua)...

Good luck Eric.

... I just had a closer look at the official Colombia site and read some complete arse-gravy about dolphins hiding in caves, so don't take that site too seriously. When I was asking Colombian divers about Gorgona, there were some murmerings about orcas...

Eric, when are you going? My black book sez humpies humping ground during the winter/spring months. With that, the stories of orca going through and preying on them as well. There is one other thing but I'll email you

The best diving in Colombia is actually around Malpelo (which is closer to Panama...). Colombia claims this rock, and actually stations a few army folks in the house on top of the rock. If you've ever seen them transfer supplies up the 50ft rope ladder dangling over the ocean, it's quite a sight.

Hi Eric,

The best spot in Colombia is Malpelo 32/35 hours sailing from Buenaventura.

If you wanna see schooling Hammerheads that's THE spot (together with Coco in Costa Rica).

I went there on March which is supposed to be the peak time to witness large schools of Hammerheads but they're there all year round. You can also spot Galapagos sharks as well as waves of Silkies : I've been told by the boat captain (he's been around for 12 years!) that the best period is may to July.

At Gorgona you can see Manta Rays and some whale activity as well : the visibility when I was there was quite poor same for Malpelo !

The other highlight of Malpelo is the Odontaspis Ferox : Feb / March is the best time to spot it and you have to go down to 60/70 m to see the beast !!

Check the following link www.fundacionmalpelo.org : the marine reserve around Malpelo is managed by Sandra Bessudo and I've been told she is setting her own vessel to operate there !

Undersea hunter operates a combined Coco/Malpelo trip although I think they suspended Malpelo for the time being...

If you like remote and "wild" (very !) places combined to Hammerhead action then Malpelo is a must !!!

Thanks, guys. I've been to Malpelo. Love the place. Although, I found Cocos to be much more productive, photographically.

Quite so. A 70m air dive 300 miles from the nearest chamber to see a slightly bigger sand tiger shark? Pardon me for not barging to the front of the queue. Great for hammerheads and silkies, mind you...

Haha ! Very true Simon ! Some "divers" are crazy enough to do so : 3 or 4 dives a day (air no Nitrox) with depths between 70 and 45m

when the nearest chamber is at 35 hours ..... what can you do ..... !

Quite so. A 70m air dive 300 miles from the nearest chamber to see a slightly bigger sand tiger shark? Pardon me for not barging to the front of the queue. Great for hammerheads and silkies, mind you...

Simon, I've been on some boats with my crazy Italian buddies where they just do 2 60-70m for 10 min dives to have a glimpse of sharks and then lie on the boat all day. The boat crew loves them as it's less work basically.

I think Eric says it all about Malpelo. It can rock but it's less consistent than the Cocos isles but when it's on, it kicks butt! I prefer it to Cocos even though it's less reliable.