Explore the mysteries of Caribbean and Pacific scuba diving in Colombia
If you are looking for a diving adventure, but are not sure whether to hit the Pacific or the Caribbean, we have the perfect place for you. With coasts on both seas, scuba diving in Colombia is the best choice for beginners and professionals alike. Here, we will explore different underwater paradises around these tropical waters.
Top 5 spots to go scuba diving in Colombia
1. San Andrés and Providencia
This archipelago offers crystal clear waters and warm temperatures year-round. Better known as the sea of seven colors, it is a favorite destination for all kinds of divers.
The group of islands was proclaimed the Seaflower Biosphere by UNESCO in 2000. Providencia is also part of the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Park, which is home to the third-largest barrier reef in the world.
The marine life here is abundant and the visibility allows you to observe sea turtles, rays, barracudas, and even sharks. The Blue Wall is one of the most popular sites for spotting the great diversity of animals in Colombia. Caves, blue holes, and shipwrecks are also part of the underwater landscape.
2. Bahía Solano
This is a small town on the west coast that is surrounded by numerous rivers and abundant vegetation. The submarine landscape in the Pacific has a rockier seafloor with vertical walls emerging like mountains. Since it also receives sediments from the rivers, the visibility conditions are variable. But the best feature of the area is the diverse varieties of fauna you may encounter in the almost 200 dive sites. Look forward to incredible scuba diving in Colombia.
Whale watching season is from July to October, so if you are interested in these giants, this could be the best time of the year to visit this paradise. The rest of the year you can dive with sharks, eels, tuna fish, snappers, and tropical fishes.
The most popular spot is where the Sebastián de Belalcázar sank in 2004. The tour takes you 100 feet down where you can see all kinds of marine life from the hatches. Other areas let you explore sunken mountains and big rocky walls
3. San Bernardo Islands
These 10 islands are part of the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Park. It is the largest coral reef formation in the continental Caribbean, and it has the most diverse marine ecosystem in Colombia. Like any other dive site in the area, the fauna is made up of small fishes and occasional visitors like turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, and manta rays.
What is special about this place is the large population of sponges. The Cantil of Tintipán is the best dive spot. There is a plateau that starts at 10 feet deep and turns into a wall that goes down up to 100 feet.
After a day of scuba diving in Colombia, what better way than to finish off by exploring the busy nightlife in Cartagena. You can also stay in one of the best hotels in Colombia, since it is located just 50 miles from the city. A great variety of restaurants – with local and international menus – and more landmarks to visit will make your getaway unforgettable.
4. Rosario Islands
These 27 Colombian islands are also part of the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Park. Around the area, there are more than 25 spots that stand out because of the variety of corals (hard and soft), sponges and reef fishes.
Islas del Rosario, Barú, and Tierra Bomba are the most popular dive sites to explore. Some areas can be as deep as 150 feet.
Located only 30 miles from Cartagena, these places get more foreign tourists who are looking for scuba diving in Colombia. Between July and October is usually the best time of the year to visit, because the currents are more friendly
5. Tayrona Park
This might be an all-time favorite for nature adventurers. It is a popular place to surf and hike in Colombia; however, it is also an essential location for scuba diving in Colombia.
The park is a world-class diving destination thanks to its different beaches and because there are diving spots for beginners and professionals. The reef starts at a depth of 9 feet and extends to areas of up to 130 feet deep. This means that no matter your level of experience, you will enjoy a great dive.
Most of the tours start in Taganga, a small town that has a great number of dive centers. With daily trips to Tayrona Park, you can explore the waters of Playa Blanca, Concha Bay, Chengue, and Aguja Island. The last one houses a small rock called Morrito Largo, which is perfect for deep dives and, if practicing technical diving, you can go as deep as 240 feet.
General recommendations for scuba diving in Colombia
- If you are a beginner, make sure to take a certified course.
- If you are a certified diver, join an experienced crew that is familiar with the area.
- Have a good rest the day before and do not dive the morning after a long party.
- You do not need to be an expert swimmer to go scuba diving in Colombia, but you do need to know how to swim.
- Pregnant women or people with lung or heart diseases are not allowed to dive.
Add scuba diving in Colombia to the list of things to do on your next vacation and scratch it from your bucket list.
Discover your ideal itinerary for free!
At Lulo Colombia Travel, we create amazing travel itineraries that are tailor-made to your travel style and preferences.
Let us help you come up with an ideal route for your trip in Colombia. By answering the following short questions we will provide you on the spot with a free and personalized itinerary that will serve as a starting point for an unforgettable journey!
Discover your ideal itinerary for free!
At Lulo Colombia Travel, we create amazing travel itineraries that are tailor-made to your travel style and preferences.
Let us help you come up with an ideal route for your trip in Colombia. By answering the following short questions we will provide you on the spot with a free and personalized itinerary that will serve as a starting point for an unforgettable journey!