Colombia
Scuba diving: Rosario & San Andres Islands
Scuba diving rosario islands
The Rosario Islands are a group of 27 islands located in the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Colombia's Cartagena de Indias.
These islands are known for their crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life, and beautiful coral reefs. Divers can expect to see a wide variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, eels, octopus and even dolphins.
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There are several diving sites in the Rosario Islands, each with its unique features. Some popular diving spots include La Piscina, a natural pool with a depth of 20 meters, and La Catedral, which features a large underwater cave system. The El Acuario is a great site for beginners and snorkelers, with a depth of only 3-5 meters and a variety of colorful fish.
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The Rosario Islands are a great destination for all levels of divers, from beginners to advanced. The water is warm and clear, with visibility reaching up to 30 meters. There are also several diving centers and tour operators that offer diving packages, equipment rental, and PADI certification courses.
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Scuba Diving San Andres Island
San Andres Island is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 775 km northwest of mainland Colombia. It is known for its vibrant coral reefs, shipwrecks, and diverse marine life. Divers can expect to see a wide variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, eels, octopus, and even sharks.
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There are several diving sites in San Andres Island, each with its unique features. Some popular diving spots include The Aquarium, known for its abundance of colorful fish, and The Wall, a site that drops off to more than 1000ft deep and is home to a variety of pelagic species.
The Morgan's Cave is a great spot for cave diving and photography, with an underwater cave system to explore.
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The diving conditions in San Andres Island are generally good, with clear water and visibility up to 30 meters.
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Diving in Colombia - Liveaboards
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Malpelo Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, about 500 km west of the Colombian coast.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a protected marine reserve, known for its large schools of hammerhead sharks and other pelagic species. Divers can also expect to see other sharks such as silky, Galapagos, white-tip reef sharks and whale sharks.
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The diving conditions in Malpelo Island are suitable for experienced divers only, as the currents can be strong and the water temperature is quite cold. Visibility can reach up to 50 meters, but the water is generally colder than other tropical diving locations.
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There are only a few diving operators that organize trips to Malpelo Island, which are usually liveaboard boats that depart from the port of Buenaventura. Divers need to have a minimum of Advanced Open Water certification and some previous experience with strong currents and cold water diving.
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The island is also home to a wide variety of marine life including, tuna, marlins, jacks and many more.
"The country of dance, food, and beautiful history - However, also a few of the world's more beautiful dive sites!"
Additional Information
San Andres Islands:
The best diving season is from December to April, when the visibility is the best and the water is the warmest. The island is a great destination for all levels of divers, from beginners to advanced, and there are several diving centers and tour operators that offer diving packages, equipment rental, and PADI certification courses.
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Malpelo Island:
The diving season in Malpelo Island is from June to November, during which the water temperature is warmer, and the visibility is best. This is the best time to see the hammerhead sharks and other pelagic species.
How to get there?
There are several ways to get to Colombia for scuba diving, depending on your location and the specific diving destination you plan to visit. Here are a few options:
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Fly: The main international airports in Colombia are located in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. From there, you can take a connecting flight to your diving destination. For example, to reach San Andres Island you would need to take a flight to San Andres Island's Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport.
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Overland: You can also reach Colombia by land, crossing the border from a neighboring country such as Panama or Venezuela. However, keep in mind that some border crossings may be closed or have restricted access.
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Liveaboard: Liveaboard diving boats are the only way to visit Malpelo Island, which is a protected marine reserve and UNESCO World Heritage site. These trips usually depart from the port of Buenaventura, on the Pacific coast of Colombia.
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Once you have arrived in Colombia, you can arrange transportation to your diving destination. Many diving centers and tour operators offer transportation services to and from the airport or port.
Malpelo Island
Malpelo Island is quite a trip to get to, however, trust me when I say it's worth it! The beaches are gorgeous, and the dive sites are versatile. You can find many smaller creatures and also see big pelagics.
Rosario Islands
The Rosario Islands are a group of 27 islands located in the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Colombia's Cartagena de Indias.
These islands are known for their crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life, and beautiful coral reefs. Divers can expect to see a wide variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, eels, octopus and even dolphins.
San Andrès Island
San Andres Island is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 775 km northwest of mainland Colombia.
It is known for its vibrant coral reefs, shipwrecks, and diverse marine life. Divers can expect to see a wide variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, eels, octopus, and even sharks.
