Basalt Cay
Protected Area
Old Providence Mc Bean Lagoon
Why dive here
With 71+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda and pufferfish - Basalt Cay offers some of Malpelo Island's richest reef diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest September, October, November.
Basalt Cay. Malpelo’s resident washing machine. If you’re not up for a serious drift, maybe sit this one out. But for those who love a bit of adrenaline with their dive, Basalt delivers. We’ve had dives here where the current just takes you, no finning required, like you’re flying over the rock formations. Keep your eyes peeled for those smaller, often overlooked species. We’ve spent whole safety stops just watching Banded Blennies darting in and out of the crevices, or searching for the subtle camouflage of a Papillate Clingfish on the rocks. It’s not always about the big pelagics here, though the Blue Runners can form impressive schools. The reef itself feels ancient, a stark contrast to some of the softer corals you find elsewhere. It’s a site that demands attention to detail and a decent level of comfort with dynamic conditions. If you enjoy a challenging drift with unusual macro life, Basalt Cay is our pick.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Basalt Cay
Basalt Cay Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Basalt Cay, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (12.4, -81.47) (108km away)
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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