Malpelo Island, Colombia
    Old Providence Mc Bean Lagoon

    Basalt Cay

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    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.

    Best timeJan–Apr
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda and Pufferfish · 71+ species recorded
    Water28-30°C · warmest September, October, November
    CharacterReef dive

    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.

    Today06:1618:1011h 54m daylightGolden hour 17:42

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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)

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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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