Malpelo, A Natural Sanctuary On The High Seas

The island of Malpelo is located in the Pacific Ocean of Colombia. It belongs to the department of Valle del Cauca, in the jurisdiction of the municipality of Buenaventura. It is one of the most visited island places in the country, especially by scientists and divers from all over the planet.

Malpelo is located 500 kilometers west of the port of Buenaventura. The only way to access the island is by boat and the journey takes approximately 33 hours.

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is administered by the System of Natural National Parks of Colombia. The island was declared a World Heritage Site in 2006 by UNESCO. If you want to venture into a deep blue journey and marvel at what you will see, Malpelo is a fabulous option.

Malpelo: a geography without equal

Malpelo has steep coasts of volcanic origin that rise at a depth of 4000 meters. The main island occupies an area of ​​35 hectares and is surrounded by 11 small islets.

The region is characterized by being tectonically complex, especially by the expansion of the seabed due to the Nazca and Cocos plates. It originated more than 20 million years ago, although at that time it was 10 times larger. However, due to water erosion and strong winds, its size has shrunk to what we see today.

One of the most important aspects of Malpelo lies in the confluence of several important marine currents. This is the case of the current of the Ensenada de Panamá and that of the Pacific Basin, which are decisive in the enormous biodiversity of marine fauna.

A seemingly desolate place

The flora of the island is scarce, basically there are lichens, algae, ferns, mosses and some species of grasses. On the contrary, its fauna is rich and biodiverse, especially at the underwater level. With regard to the land area, insects, lizards and crustaceans stand out, totaling about 100 species, of which several are endemic.

With regard to its marine fauna, more than 17 species of corals, 130 species of mollusks and 268 species of crustaceans live here. In addition, it is home to 60 species of birds that add up to a population of approximately 80,000 individuals. This list is complemented by several species of sea turtles and devil rays.

Almost 400 species of fish also live here, among which the great concentrations of whale, hammer and silky sharks stand out, among many others. In addition, there are several species of mammals, among which dolphins stand out.

Malpelo Attractions

This is a conservation area in which scientific, environmental and recreational activities are carried out. Regarding the recreational aspect, deep diving predominates, but there are rules that must be observed.

Malpelo is considered the shark diving capital of the world, not only because of the species that can be observed, but also because of the enormous number of individuals. For this reason, many nature lovers and documentary makers visit the place to film and photograph them.

Rules for divers

As an essential requirement to dive in Malpelo, it is necessary to have a certified guide for each group of 6 divers. Additionally, tourists must have an advanced or two-star diving certificate and, at least, 35 log dives.

The maximum depth allowed for diving is 140 feet. Each diver must have minimum depth equipment. This equipment must include at least a computer, vest, suit (3mm neoprene), regulator and basic elements. Likewise, it must have security elements such as a personal location buoy, knife, whistle, position light, flashlight and GPS.

Rules for boats

Vessel buoyancy control must be guaranteed to prevent damage to ecosystems and refrain from interfering with natural processes. Of course, we must avoid the use of harmful elements that threaten ecosystems, such as aerosols and non-biodegradable products.

In addition to this, the boat must have complete safety and first aid equipment. Similarly, it is the responsibility of the crew that visitors abide by the regulations during their stay in this natural sanctuary.

Additional rules

The consumption of alcoholic beverages and hallucinogenic substances is prohibited, as is carrying firearms. The activities can only be carried out between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm and always keeping in mind the weather conditions.

The cost of access per diver is 35 dollars a day for nationals and 70 for foreigners. The high season runs from December to January and from June to July. Holy Week is also considered high season.

The set of rules established for visiting this place by tourists may seem exaggerated, but it is not. It obeys international standards for the conservation of this type of area and the well-being that must accompany visitors. It should not be forgotten that the area is characterized by its strong ocean currents and intense waves.

Infrastructure in Malpelo

There is no hotel infrastructure on the island. Tourist services can only be contracted with qualified operators who have access to the sanctuary. The companies that provide tourist services have plans that include a diving center, accommodation, food, etc.

In this sense, there are cruise packages that cover all services, including certified guides and complete diving equipment. These packages are around 2000 US dollars.