National park · Colombia
Isla MalpeloParque Nacional Marino Isla Malpelo
Visit Isla Malpelo: pay $90 park fee per diver, join a live‑aboard from Buenaventura (30‑40 h boat), dive in October–April for calmer seas; skip if you cannot arrange a live‑aboard.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
- Colombian Islands ↗San Andrés and Providencia require a tourist card on arrival; buy it at the departure airport or on landing — check the current fee.
- Colombian Islands ↗Reef and mangrove areas are protected; no touching coral, no collecting shells, no anchoring on reef.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- ≈0.5 km² (check)
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Isla Malpelo is a remote UNESCO World Heritage marine park, famous for shark diving and bird colonies. Access is only by licensed live‑aboard vessels that arrange the required park permit and $90 per diver fee.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2000
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1990
≈0.5 km² (check)
Why go
- World‑class shark diving in a remote marine park.
- Rare bird colonies and endemic crab species on a volcanic ridge.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, smalltooth sand tigerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Seabirds (gulls, terns)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Endemic crab speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Buenaventura port
Live‑aboard boat (often via Gorgona Island) to Malpelo; 30–40 h at sea.
30–40 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Military outpost (headquarters) | Small staff facility, entry point for divers. | Permit required; no public access. |
| Dive zone | Surrounding marine area with shark aggregations. | Live‑aboard only; max 25 divers on site. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate for navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park fee for diving | US$90 | person | per day of diving |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Marine park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Anchoring
- Not allowed anywhere within the marine protected area.
- Diver limit
- Maximum 25 divers on the island at one time.
- Permit
- Entry requires permission from the National Natural Park office.
- Waste
- All waste must be taken back to the boat; no dumping.
- Fire
- No open fires on the island.
Where to stay
In the park
Live‑aboard vessel
Cabins on the dive ship; meals and sleeping on board.
Safety
Remote location high
Shark encounters medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- No shore access; all activities are boat‑based and require swimming ability.
Visiting lightly
- Use a live‑aboard that follows the single‑vessel limit.
- Bring all personal waste back to shore.
- Do not disturb bird colonies or marine life.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Isla Malpelo?
The park fee is US$90 per diver per day; live‑aboard operators include it in their package.
What are the best hikes in Isla Malpelo?
There are no land hikes; the island is visited for diving and short wildlife walks on the limited outpost area.
When is the best time to visit Isla Malpelo?
October to April generally offers calmer seas and better visibility for diving (check local forecasts).
Can I stay on the island?
No accommodation exists; you sleep on the live‑aboard vessel.
Do I need a permit to dive?
Yes. Entry requires a permit from the National Natural Park office, usually arranged by the live‑aboard operator.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Isla Malpelo
Loading…
Was this useful?