Malpelo Island, Colombia
    Sanctuaire de faune et de flore de Malpelo

    Escuba

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    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 - Escuba offers some of Malpelo Island's richest 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

    Escuba is where Malpelo truly flexes its muscles, and it's easily one of our favourite spots on the entire island. Forget the species count for a second; what makes Escuba special is the sheer density. We’ve seen shoals of Pacific sardines so thick here, they practically form a living wall, with pompano and mulet slicing through them in a frantic, shimmering chase. It’s a sensory overload, the sound of thousands of tiny fish moving in unison is surprisingly audible, a low hum beneath the surface. Keep an eye out for the smaller details too; we often spot argus and freckled morays peeking from the corrugated coral, and the cardinal fish darting amongst the crevices. Southern lanternsharks are a rare but thrilling find here, particularly if you’re doing a deeper drift. Escuba isn't for the faint of heart; currents can be strong, so you need to be comfortable with active diving. But for those who embrace the drift, who want to witness the wild, untamed energy of Malpelo, this site delivers an unparalleled punch. It’s a dynamic, high-energy dive that perfectly encapsulates the raw power of this remote Pacific outpost.

    Today06:1318:1612h 3m daylightGolden hour 17:48

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Escuba

    Escuba Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Escuba, 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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