Introduction
Colombia is a wonderful country for practice of diving. Its geography, its beautiful sea and its environment make this sport something unique and indescribable. Because it has two oceans: the Atlantic and the Pacific, the magic of diving is unlimited and, therefore, its waters offer the possibility of develop various specialties such as wreck diving, current diving, cave diving, deep, nocturnal, naturalistic, high altitude, photography, underwater and multi-level video, among others.
To the above we must add that diving activity in Colombia has not yet become widespread. It is comfortable and fun to practice, since diving professionals always work with small groups and safely, even in high season.
On the other hand, destinations in the Pacific and the Caribbean are almost virgin and preserved thanks to the strict surveillance that the Ministry of the Environment exercises over coral reefs and Natural Parks.
In the Pacific Ocean it is possible to find abundant and large fauna - a phenomenon generated by the overfeeding of its species, given the large amount of plankton in its waters -, while in the Caribbean Sea the richness of corals is exuberant. Rich in sponges, and with an exotic variety of species, they make it a wonderful universe.
In the Caribbean the immersion places are located in the main tourist destinations, Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andrés. In the Pacific, although there are diving centers and accommodation in places such as Bahía Solano, Nuquí, Gorgona and Malpelo, you have to rent specialized boats and stay on them. It is important to highlight that in most of the destinations mentioned there are modern hyperbaric chambers for the treatment of diving accidents.
In the Caribbean these cameras are in San Andrés, Cartagena and Santa Marta. In the Pacific there is a camera in Bahía Málaga that is installed in an operations base of the National Navy, which allows access to it from all the diving sites in the sector by means of helicopters. Even in the furthest places from the coast there are communications equipment that offers the possibility of air transport in approximately thirty minutes.
Main diving destinations in the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean)
- Island Strong:
Location: N latitude 9 degrees 24 minutes, W longitude 76 degrees 11 minutes. Climate: tropical. Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius. Access: via sea, from anywhere in the Gulf of Morrosquillo.
Diving: the island has a chain of underwater areas, which extends from Punta Barú. Important coral formations have been structured on this platform. They are found at depths between 6 and 36 meters. You dive with a varied reef fauna and it is possible to see barracudas, snappers, horse mackerel, groupers, groupers, manta rays and sponges of many species. There is a bottle loading service, boats, equipment rental, teaching and excursions.
- Rosario Islands:
Location: N latitude 10 degrees 11 minutes, W longitude 75 degrees 48 minutes. Climate: tropical. Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius. Access: by air there are flights from Avianca, Sam, Aces and AeroRepública to Cartagena and, by land, from the main cities of the country.
Diving: it has an underwater landscape of singular beauty and variety. The most varied and richest coral community on the Colombian Caribbean coast has been formed there. More than 50 species of corals, 197 of mollusks and 215 of fish have been identified. There are more than 30 dive sites, three of them are wrecks. It is a natural National Park, administered by the Ministry of the Environment, which has established regulations and reserve areas.
- Tayrona Park:
Diving: there are numerous coral formations, up to 36 meters deep. It has a pronounced underwater profile, which allows access to great depths, a short distance from the coast. · Fauna: Puffer fish, groupers, sawfish and sharks abound; Also, seahorses. You have to be careful as strong currents and waves can occur.
- San Andrés Island:
Diving: diving in San Andrés is a real pleasure. Its optimal conditions, the pleasant water temperature and excellent visibility, in addition to diverse coral bottoms, walls, cliffs, wrecks, caves, make scuba diving an incomparable activity. Fauna: Abundant, of varied colors and large size, not aggressive, they accompany the diver. It has good schools, instructors and modern equipment, as well as one of the most modern hyperbaric chambers in Latin America.
- Providence:
Diving: the barrier reef of this island is the largest in Colombia (20 kilometers long and up to 600 meters wide). The great beauty of the various species of coral, and associated organisms, generates a feeling of fascination that is difficult to describe.
In addition to the typical fauna of the reef, there is a variety of large fish such as gray sharks, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, groupers and snappers. Crystal clear and warm waters. Wrecks and caves.
Main diving destinations in the Pacific Ocean
- Gorgon Island:
Diving: the oceanographic conditions, such as relatively transparent waters, high salinity and temperature around 23 degrees Celsius, as well as the presence of rocky bottoms have allowed the formation of one of the best developed coral reefs in the Pacific American. The diving areas are defined by the authorities of this Natural Park. The island has a diving center with teaching service, equipment rental, air compressor and boats.
Its fauna is exuberant, large and diverse: whitetip sharks, manta rays, internationally from Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Guatemala and Miami. There are also charter flights from Europe. Upon entering you must fill out a business card and pay a tourist tax (12 US dollars).
Diving: diving in San Andrés is a real pleasure. Its optimal conditions, the pleasant water temperature and excellent visibility, in addition to diverse coral bottoms, walls, cliffs, wrecks, caves, make scuba diving an incomparable activity. Fauna: Abundant, of varied colors and large size, not aggressive, they accompany the diver. It has good schools, instructors and modern equipment, as well as one of the most modern hyperbaric chambers in Latin America.
- Providence:
Diving: the barrier reef of this island is the largest in Colombia (20 kilometers long and up to 600 meters wide). The great beauty of the various species of coral, and associated organisms, generates a feeling of fascination that is difficult to describe.
In addition to the typical fauna of the reef, there is a variety of large fish such as gray sharks, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, groupers and snappers. Crystal clear and warm waters. Wrecks and caves.
Main diving destinations in the Pacific Ocean
- Gorgon Island:
Diving: the oceanographic conditions, such as relatively transparent waters, high salinity and temperature around 23 degrees Celsius, as well as the presence of rocky bottoms have allowed the formation of one of the best developed coral reefs in the Pacific American. The diving areas are defined by the authorities of this Natural Park. The island has a diving center with teaching service, equipment rental, air compressor and boats.
Its fauna is exuberant, large and diverse: whitetip sharks, manta rays,
