West Point
Protected Area
Jhonny Cay Regional Park
Why dive here
With 71+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda and pufferfish - West Point offers some of Malpelo Island's richest wall diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest September, October, November.
West Point is where Malpelo truly flexes its muscles, and it's our top pick for a specific kind of diver. This isn't a gentle drift over a pretty reef; it’s a full-throttle immersion into the pelagic action that makes this remote outpost legendary. We love the sheer unpredictability of it. You drop in and immediately feel that surge, a constant reminder of the ocean's power. It’s a site for those who live for the big stuff, for divers who understand that sometimes the best show is just out in the blue. We usually hold steady in the current, tucking in close to the rock face, eyes constantly scanning the deeper water. The resident school of Spot Snapper can be so dense it looks like a silver wall, shimmering as the light catches them. Keep an eye out for the odd Blue Parrotfish cruising by, but really, you're here for the sharks. Hammerheads often pass in formation off in the distance, a ghostly procession against the darker depths. We’ve seen Galapagos sharks glide by with an unnerving confidence, and if you’re lucky, a silky shark might come in for a closer look. The visibility here can be incredible, letting you see those shadows resolve into definite shapes from far away. Dive this on a rising tide for the best chance of encountering the larger schools. It’s an adrenaline-fueled dive, best suited for experienced divers comfortable in strong currents. You’ll spend most of your time suspended, watching the show unfold in the blue, feeling the hum of the ocean around you.
Typical West Point Dive Profile
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to West Point
Dive shops near West Point
San Andres Divers
Scuba San Andres
Blue Life Dive
Karibik Diving
Almacén Stella
Reviews for West Point
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for West Point
West Point Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for West Point, 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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