tan
Protected Area
Tayrona
Why dive here
With 71+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda and pufferfish - tan offers some of Malpelo Island's richest wall diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest September, October, November.
Tan, now that’s a site that sticks with you. It’s not about bright colours or gentle drifts, it's about the sheer, undeniable force of nature you feel here. We’re talking about a site that often feels like diving inside a washing machine, where powerful surge can push you around, but it’s precisely that raw energy that brings in the big stuff. Our favourite memory from Tan involves finding a relatively calm pocket near one of the rocky outcrops, just deep enough to settle in. There, we watched a school of red snapper, their scales catching the shifting light, being harassed by a few determined doctorfish. Below them, a loggerhead turtle cruised by, seemingly unbothered by the chaos. We've also seen the rare pugjaw wormfish here, a subtle treat for those with an eye for the unusual. The corals, like mustard hill and rough cactus, aren't exactly 'gardens,' but they’re incredibly resilient, clinging to the rock in defiance of the relentless current. This spot is for experienced divers who thrive on adrenaline and aren't afraid of a bit of a workout. Come for the high-octane pelagic action, stay for the bizarre micro-critters clinging to the rocks, and leave with a profound appreciation for Malpelo’s untamed beauty. If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of an orca cruising through the deeper blue.
Typical tan 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 tan
Dive shops near tan
Aquarius
Reef Shepherd
Ocean Lovers Taganga
Oceano Scuba Centro de Buceo
Poseidon Dive Center
Tayrona Dive Center
Reviews for tan
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for tan
tan Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for tan, 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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