Reef Shepherd - Malpelo Island
The team at Reef Shepherd know Malpelo. Really know it. They’ve been running trips out here for over a decade, and that kind of experience shows when you’re navigating the currents and seeking out the big stuff. For anyone serious about seeing hammerheads and silky sharks in serious numbers, Reef Shepherd is your pick. They’re not about fancy resorts; it's about getting you to the action safely and efficiently. Malpelo is no easy dive, and that’s precisely why we’d go with a crew like Reef Shepherd. We love their no-nonsense approach; it's all about the diving. Expect early mornings, long boat rides, and exhilarating drifts over walls that just drop into the blue. Our favourite moment is always that first glance down when you hit the water, seeing a dark cloud of hundreds of hammerheads circling below you. It’s primal. Reef Shepherd's guides have an uncanny knack for putting you in the right spot at the right time. They’ll also remind you that those currents can be fierce, so hold tight and trust the lead. This is an advanced trip, truly, and Reef Shepherd caters to divers who understand that.
- Location
- Malpelo Island, Colombia, South America
- Coordinates
- 11.267354, -74.191080
- Phone
- +57300 8286273
- Website
- https://www.reef-shepherd.com/
- Courses
- Mini Curso, Open Water, Advanced Diver, Rescue Course + First Aid, Dive Master, Underwater Photography
- Equipment Rental
- no
- Address
- 1-02, Calle 14, Taganga
- Languages
- Spanish, English
Dive Sites Near Reef Shepherd
Reef Shepherd provides access to 15 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)
Other Dive Centres in Malpelo Island
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
Marine Life in Malpelo Island
Home to 72 recorded species including 68 reef fish, 2 other, 1 hard corals, 1 sea cucumbers.
Notable Marine Life
- 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
Recommended Packing List for Malpelo Island
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