El Sahara
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 - El Sahara offers some of Malpelo Island's richest diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest September, October, November.
El Sahara is just… different. We’re used to Malpelo being all about the sharks, but this site flips the script a bit. It’s not that you *won't* see them – the silvertips and duskies are always cruising through – but what we really love here is the sheer density of the schooling fish. I remember one dive where a solid wall of big-eye trevally just enveloped us. You couldn't see your buddy for minutes, just shimmering silver and the rush of their movement. Drop in and you’re immediately part of this massive, swirling ecosystem. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, tucked into the crevices; the spotted snake-eels are surprisingly charismatic. We’ve had great luck spotting king angelfish, their vibrant colours a real pop against the deeper blues. The currents here can be a bit of a rollercoaster, so be ready for some drift. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re comfortable in current, El Sahara offers a phenomenal, immersive experience that goes beyond the usual apex predator show.
Reviews for El Sahara
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for El Sahara
El Sahara Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for El Sahara, 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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