20-40m
    Malpelo Island, Colombia
    Tayrona

    Aquarius

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Protected Area

    Tayrona

    Why dive here

    With 71+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda and pufferfish - Aquarius offers some of Malpelo Island's richest wall diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest September, October, November.

    Best timeJan–Apr
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda and Pufferfish · 71+ species recorded
    Water28-30°C · warmest September, October, November
    CharacterWall dive · max 20-40m
    StandoutDramatic wall topography

    Aquarius is one of those sites where you drop in and immediately feel like you’re part of something bigger. It’s usually a drift, and a fast one, so be ready to move. We love the vertical walls here, just absolutely plastered with corals that you don’t see in a lot of other places. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff clinging on – the Okapi Gobies are a personal favourite, incredibly camouflaged but worth the hunt. The real show, though, comes from the schooling fish. We’ve seen Black Surgeonfish in numbers that blot out the sun, and the way they move with the current is mesmerising. This site is definitely for experienced divers who are comfortable in strong currents and can keep their wits about them while everything rushes past. You’ll spend most of the dive looking out into the blue, hoping for a glimpse of something large, but don’t forget to check the cracks and crevices for Banded Jawfish and those shy Lesser Rock Shrimp. It’s a dynamic dive, full of energy, and always keeps you on your toes.

    Typical Aquarius Dive Profile

    10m20mSafety Stop0m20m max~30 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today05:4617:4311h 56m daylightGolden hour 17:14

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Aquarius

    Aquarius Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Aquarius, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (12.4, -81.47) (108km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 29.3–31.3°C

    Current Speed

    13.42 cm/s

    Direction: NE (63.4°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.094 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    34.38 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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