Cayo Arena - Malpelo Island
Laursrev might not have the exotic appeal of tropical locales, but for those who appreciate the unique beauty of temperate waters, it offers a surprisingly rich dive. We've found the corals here to be an interesting study in resilience, with various species of soft corals creating a muted, yet vibrant, landscape. Look closely among the nooks and crannies, and you're likely to spot everything from the elusive black goby to juvenile Pollock. It's a dive best suited for divers who enjoy a slower pace, focusing on macro life and the subtle dynamics of a healthy North Sea ecosystem.
- Location
- Malpelo Island, Colombia, South America
- Coordinates
- 12.416667, -81.466670
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Jhonny Cay Regional Park
Best Time to Dive in Malpelo Island
The warmest water temperatures in Malpelo Island occur in October, averaging 30.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 28.0°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.2°C
- February: 28.0°C
- March: 28.3°C
- April: 29.0°C
- May: 29.7°C
- June: 29.9°C
- July: 29.4°C
- August: 29.4°C
- September: 29.9°C
- October: 30.2°C
- November: 29.4°C
- December: 28.7°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Malpelo Island
- Alice-Agnes Rocks (reef)
- Aquamarina
- Aquarius
- Archies Rock (reef)
- Arrecife Edinburgh (reef)
- Arthur Jackson Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Asmalera Rocks (reef)
- Auiapuni Reef (reef)
- Auikera (reef)
- Bajo Bonito (reef)
- Bajo Caribana (reef)
- Bajo del Anda (pinnacle)
- Bajo del Cholo (pinnacle)
- Bajo del Hospital
- Bajo del Junior (pinnacle)
Nearest Dive Centres to Cayo Arena
Marine Life in Malpelo Island
Home to 72 recorded species including 68 reef fish, 2 other, 1 hard corals, 1 sea cucumbers.
Notable Species
- Silver mojarra (Eucinostomus argenteus) - Reef Fish
- Snapper (Lutjanus synagris) - Reef Fish
- Kwab (Sparisoma radians) - Reef Fish
- Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
- Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Banded Wrasse (Halichoeres notospilus) - Reef Fish
- Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis) - Reef Fish
- Fringed Filefish (Monacanthus ciliatus) - Reef Fish
- Molly Miller (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) - Reef Fish
- Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiocoma echinata)
- Puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri) - Reef Fish
- Threeband Butterflyfish (Chaetodon humeralis) - Reef Fish
- Puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
- Mulet (Mugil curema) - Reef Fish
- Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
- Panamic frillfin (Bathygobius ramosus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Cayo Arena
Based on average water temperature of 29.2°C, currents 14 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories