El Laberinto

Best months: Jan–Apr

Protected Area

Los Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo

Why dive here

With 517+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - El Laberinto offers some of Santa Marta & Tayrona's richest reef diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest June, July, September.

Best timeJan–Apr

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blue Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Hammerhead Sharks · 517+ species recorded

Water28-30°C · warmest June, July, September

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

El Laberinto feels exactly like its name suggests: a maze, but the kind you actually want to get lost in. It’s perfect for those days when you just want to wander, taking your time to poke into every crack and crevice. We often start shallow, around 5 or 6 metres, where the light still plays on the sandy patches, illuminating little communities of Banded Cleaner Shrimp scuttling over sponges. As you drift deeper, the reef transitions into a gentle wall that bottoms out at about 15 metres on a bright white sand floor. This contrast is striking, and it’s where we often find ourselves lingering, watching for Broadnose Worm Eels poking their heads out or the distinctive flash of a Slippery Dick darting into cover. The visibility here is usually very good, often 15-20 metres, which makes spotting tiny Blackfin Blennies a real treat. We love this site for its relaxed pace; it’s a brilliant spot for newer divers to build confidence, but even experienced eyes will find plenty to keep them occupied, especially in the towering coral formations where juvenile Spot Snappers hide. Bring a good macro lens if you have one; the small stuff really shines here.