Punta Padi - Malpelo Island
Punta Padi on Malpelo is a site we always make time for, even with the bigger pelagic draws around the corner. It’s got a completely different feel, much more about the small stuff, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need after wrestling with a strong current. We love dropping in here when the current calms down a bit, usually mid-morning. It's a wall dive, but not a sheer drop, more of a slope that’s just packed with texture. Keep your eyes peeled for the Imitator Blenny; they’re little masters of disguise, and you’ll often find them tucked into crevices. The Rockfish are also a regular sight, just sitting still, perfectly camouflaged. What really sticks with us here is the sheer density of the invertebrate life – the Lavender Rope Sponges are everywhere, vibrant against the darker rock. And the Massive Starlet Coral formations are just impressive, forming little cities for all the smaller creatures. We've often spent an entire dive within a 20-meter stretch, just hovering and really looking. It’s a photographer’s dream if you’re into macro. This isn’t a high-adrenaline dive, and that’s precisely its charm. It suits divers who appreciate slowing down and observing the intricate details of a healthy reef. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve been let in on a secret.
- Location
- Malpelo Island, Colombia, South America
- Coordinates
- 12.537996, -81.747185
Marine Protected Area: Jhonny Cay Regional Park
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
Nearby 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)
Nearest Dive Centres to Punta Padi
Marine Life in Malpelo Island
Home to 72 recorded species including 68 reef fish, 2 other, 1 hard corals, 1 sea cucumbers.
Notable Species
- 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
- Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiocoma echinata)
- Puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri) - Reef Fish
- Threeband Butterflyfish (Chaetodon humeralis) - Reef Fish
- Puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
- Mulet (Mugil curema) - Reef Fish
- Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
- Panamic frillfin (Bathygobius ramosus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Punta Padi
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