20-40m
    Malpelo Island, Colombia
    Tayrona

    Punta Aguja

    Best months: Jan–Apr

    Protected Area

    Tayrona

    Why dive here

    With 71+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda and pufferfish - Punta Aguja offers some of Malpelo Island's richest pinnacle 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
    CharacterPinnacle dive · max 20-40m
    StandoutDramatic pinnacle topography

    Punta Aguja. Ah, Malpelo. This isn’t a gentle drift over pretty corals, let’s get that straight. Punta Aguja often feels like a washing machine, but it’s a washing machine full of sharks. The currents here can be utterly insane, swirling around the pinnacle, pulling you up, pushing you down. You’ll fin hard, you’ll hang on, and you’ll love every second of it. We always drop in just off the main rock, aiming to get down quickly and find some shelter. That’s where the real show begins. Think massive schools of hammerheads, sometimes hundreds of them, cruising past in the blue. We’ve seen silvertips and Galapagos sharks here too, often just hanging in the current, watching us. It’s not just the big stuff; keep an eye on the rock itself for the smaller details. We’ve spotted reef scorpionfish tucked into crevices and those cheeky dwarf blennies popping out of their holes. Our favourite moment is always when the fusiliers school so thick they create a shimmering tunnel. Visibility can be hit or miss, but even on an average day, the sheer volume of sharks makes it worthwhile. This site is for experienced divers who are comfortable in strong, unpredictable currents and aren't afraid of a bit of an adrenaline rush. Come prepared for an intense dive, and you’ll leave with stories for years.

    Typical Punta Aguja Dive Profile

    10m20mSafety Stop0m20m max~30 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today05:4617:4311h 56m daylightGolden hour 17:14

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Punta Aguja

    Punta Aguja Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Punta Aguja, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (12.4, -81.47) (108km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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