Malpelo Island, Colombia
    Sanctuaire de faune et de flore de Malpelo

    Bajo del Cholo

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Protected Area

    Sanctuaire de faune et de flore de Malpelo

    Why dive here

    With 71+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda and pufferfish - Bajo del Cholo offers some of Malpelo Island's richest pinnacle 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
    CharacterPinnacle dive
    StandoutDramatic pinnacle topography

    Bajo del Cholo, for us, is classic Malpelo: big animal action and a good dose of current that keeps you on your toes. We love dropping down into the blue here, often finding ourselves surrounded by a swirling mass of black skipjack tuna. They push through the water with such force, you can almost feel the pressure change. Keep an eye out for dorado streaking past; they’re quick, but their iridescent flash gives them away. It's not always about the pelagics though. We’ve had some cracking encounters with golden cownose rays gliding gracefully over the reef, and the sheer number of Scissortail Chromis makes the whole place feel alive. For those who like to look closer, the Glossy Blenny are a real treat, tiny flashes of personality in the cracks. You’ll need to be comfortable with drift diving, and perhaps a bit of negative entry, but the rewards are absolutely worth it. This is a site for experienced divers who crave that raw, untamed ocean feel.

    Today06:1318:1612h 3m daylightGolden hour 17:48

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Bajo del Cholo

    Bajo del Cholo Ocean Conditions

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

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    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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