

Best for advanced divers, 20-40m, boat entry, strong current.
La Puerta del Cielo is a remote, advanced dive site located at Malpelo Island, Colombia. This complex site features a combination of walls, pinnacles, and cavern passages, requiring divers to navigate an overhead environment. Dives typically last 50 minutes at depths ranging from 20 to 40 metres, with an average of 25 metres. Conditions are challenging, characterised by strong, unpredictable currents and visibility that fluctuates between 3 and 30 metres. Due to the depth and potential for decompression requirements, nitrox planning is essential. Boat access is required, and divers should carry a surface marker buoy and a reef hook to manage the strong currents.
4.00046, -81.61312
Carry a surface marker buoy and a reef hook as minimum kit; the current can run hard enough that ascending without either becomes a serious problem. Confirm your gas plan and deco schedule with your guide before entering, as the cavern sections can disorient even experienced divers and extend bottom time unexpectedly.
Malpelo is a remote sanctuary reached only by liveaboard, with strict caps on vessel and diver numbers.
Recorded at this site
Depth
20-40m
Visibility
3-30m
Skill Level
Advanced
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
24-25°C
Current
Strong
Typical Dive
50 min
Best Time
May, Jul, Sep
No, this site is strictly for advanced divers due to the strong currents, deep profiles, and overhead cavern environment.
Dives at this site typically range from 20 to 40 metres, with an average depth of 25 metres.
Boat access is required to reach this site, which is located approximately 500 kilometres from the nearest shore.
Water temperatures generally range from 24 to 25 degrees Celsius, though thermoclines can cause temperatures to drop as low as 13 to 14 degrees Celsius depending on depth and season.
Divers should carry a surface marker buoy and a reef hook, as currents can be strong enough to make ascending without them difficult.
Diving at La Puerta del Cielo in Malpelo requires the following certifications: Advanced, Nitrox. Always dive within your training limits.
A 3mm wetsuit is recommended for diving at La Puerta del Cielo in Malpelo. Water temperatures range from 24°C to 25°C.
The best months to visit La Puerta del Cielo in Malpelo are May, July, and September. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.