Coiba IslandMalpeloLas Perlas ArchipelagoPanama
Malpelo Island

Destination Days Start / End Season Diving
Malpelo 11

David (Panama)

all year 8 days, with 6 days in Malpelo
and 2 days in Panama waters
Malpelo / Coiba
combination
14

David (Panama)

Nov - Aug 11 days, with 6 days in Malpelo,
5 days in Panama waters


hammerhead sharks

Undoubtedly one of the most remote diving destinations in the world, Malpelo island is widely recognised as the finest place in the world to encounter large schools of hammerhead sharks. Many galapagos sharks, silky sharks, eagle rays, red lipped batfish and green murray eels. Occasionally whale sharks, sailfish, dolphins, baitballs and the rare smalltooth sandtiger shark ! Great amounts of schooling fish too !

The island is basically a rock in the ocean, 1 mile long and 250 meters high. Due to its isolated location 200 nautical miles away from the next coastline, the u.w.-visibility is usually very good and ranges between 25 and 40 meters.

There is no good or protected anchorage in Malpelo, but mooring close to the rock provides some protection from wind and waves. Even in rough weather the boat movement is moderate.

The currents can be strong and landing on the shores of the island is almost impossible.

Most dives can take place in buddy pairs while divers are obliged to underwater inflate their surface marker bouys immediately, in case they drift away from the reef or island.

In case of rough or instable weather, unusal strong currents or at exposed sites, dives will be done in one group while the dive guide is carrying a reel with a surface marker buoy attached to it, to assure that the supervising boat is always close to the divers.

Malpelo and it's surrounding waters are a nature reserve and world heritage. Because there is always only one visiting at a time permitted, divers are guaranteed an exclusive eperience.

The fee for visiting divers is currently about US $ 60 per person and day. As the visit of diveboats needs to get coordinated by the authorities, it is advisable to make bookings early.

Trips start and end in Puerto Pedregal near the city of David in Panama/Central America.

An 11 day/ 11 night journey to Malpelo will cover approx. 600 nautical miles, partly under sail. The trip includes 8 days of diving, thereoff 6 days in Malpelo and 2 days in Panama waters.

The 14 days journey Malpelo and Coiba combination includes, 11 days of diving, thereoff 6 days in Malpelo and 5 days in Panama waters.

Please see Coiba Island for more information.

Logbook

Malpelo-trip June 2003

Malpelo/Coiba-trip March 2003

Malpelo-trip February 2003


Isla de Malpelo
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whale shark

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