Islas Los Ahorcados
Protected Area
Machalilla
Why dive here
With 145+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays and mobula rays (devil rays) - Islas Los Ahorcados offers some of Isla de la Plata's richest diving. Water ranges 25-27°C, warmest February, March, May.
Islas Los Ahorcados, just off Isla de la Plata, is one of those places that genuinely surprises you. We've always found the visibility here to be better than expected, often pushing 15-20 meters on a good day, especially in the late morning. It’s a series of rocky islets that drop down, creating channels and small overhangs, giving you plenty to explore. What really gets us excited about Los Ahorcados is the sheer density of fish. We're talking about huge schools of barberfish and surgeonfish that just swirl around you, almost blocking out the sun at times. Keep an eye on the bottom for those rarer finds; we've spotted Pacific Fat Sleepers tucked into crevices and even a Chilean Angel Shark resting on the sand – a real treat. We also love looking for the Hawksbill Turtles here, often just cruising by. This site is a great pick for divers who appreciate a busy, lively reef and don't mind a little current to keep things interesting.
Nearest Dive Centres to Islas Los Ahorcados
Dive shops near Islas Los Ahorcados
Native Diving Ecuador
Exploramar Diving
Dive and Surf
Reviews for Islas Los Ahorcados
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Islas Los Ahorcados
Islas Los Ahorcados Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Islas Los Ahorcados, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
24.77°C
77°F
Current Speed
2.83 cm/s
Direction: NE (45°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.923 mg/m³
Moderate productivity
Salinity
33.2 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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