Punta Venado
Protected Area
Tayrona
Why dive here
With 71+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda and pufferfish - Punta Venado offers some of Malpelo Island's richest pinnacle diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest September, October, November.
Punta Venado is where the real action happens, especially if you’re a fan of big animals and an adrenaline rush. We’ve always found this spot to be a bit of a gamble, but when it pays off, it’s spectacular. You drop in and drift along a wall that just drops into the blue. The currents here can be a serious workout, but they’re also what brings in the goods. We’ve seen schools of hundreds of hammerheads materialise out of the deep, a living wall of silver, sometimes so close you can hear their collective rush through the water. It’s also our go-to for catching sight of silky sharks cruising by, sleek and curious. Keep an eye out for free-swimming morays too, not something you see every day. The trick here is patience, and a really good guide who knows the currents. We’d suggest going early in the morning, before the thermoclines get too aggressive, and always be prepared for a strong drift. It’s a site for experienced divers, no question, but the payoff can be a career highlight.
Typical Punta Venado Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Punta Venado
Dive shops near Punta Venado
Reef Shepherd
Ocean Lovers Taganga
Aquarius
Aquantis Dive Center
Poseidon Dive Center
Oceano Scuba Centro de Buceo
Reviews for Punta Venado
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Punta Venado
Punta Venado Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Punta Venado, 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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