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Playa Vaca

Playa Vaca is one of those sites that just feels like Malpelo, a real raw edge. We love that it’s usually sheltered, a nice reprieve from the usual washing machine conditions that can define the island. The wall here is dramatic, dropping straight down into the blue, and we’re often just hanging out, watching the show unfold. It’s got a totally different vibe to the roaring current sites. You'll spot a surprising amount of smaller stuff tucked into the crevices if you take your time: Yellowhead Jawfish peeking from their burrows, maybe a shy Pygmy Sea Bass. The schools of Yellowtail Parrotfish can be thick here, grazing on the reef. And keep an eye out in the sand patches for the Lesser Starlet Coral, a nice splash of colour against the volcanic rock. It’s a site for divers who appreciate the nuance, who like to slow down and really look, rather than just chase the pelagics.