About this spot
Salomon sits within Malpelo Island's marine protected area off the Colombian Pacific coast. This remote pinnacle and wall system attracts serious divers seeking encounters with sharks, rays, and schooling fish in clear water. The site sits roughly 500 kilometers west of mainland Colombia, making it accessible mainly by dedicated liveaboard expeditions. Malpelo's isolation has preserved its ecosystems—the reserve covers over 857,000 hectares and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Salomon offers dramatic topography with steep drops and current-swept terrain that rewards patience and good buoyancy control. Visibility often exceeds 20 meters, though Pacific swells can dictate access windows. The water supports dense populations of apex predators and schooling species rarely seen on coastal reefs. Most trips run 5–10 days and depart from Colombian Pacific ports. Divers encounter hammerheads, Galápagos sharks, mantas, and tuna in these waters. The site demands respect for marine regulations—all diving occurs under Malpelo's strict conservation protocols. Limited infrastructure means self-sufficiency and expedition experience are practical requirements. Salomon represents one of the Pacific's last true wilderness dives.
📖 Guide: Diving in Colombia: 68 Sites from Shark Walls to Beginner Reefs
Best months
Marine life
Dive types
Trip essentials
Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.
Trip checklist
- 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
- 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
- 📔 Dive logbook
- 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
- 🔌 Plug type A/B · 110V adapter
- 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
- 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact
Quick facts
- 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
- GPS
› Sustainability disclosures
From your departure country
- Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
- Flight: 12h · direct
- Jet-lag: 0h
FAQ
›When is the best time to dive Salomon?
Salomon is diveable year-round, though Pacific swell and weather patterns shift seasonally. Drier months (December–March and July–August) tend to offer calmer seas and more reliable access. Liveaboard schedules often align with these windows, but confirm specific expedition dates with operators.
›What depth and difficulty level is Salomon?
Salomon's exact depth profile varies by specific site features, but walls and pinnacles here are typical of deep Pacific diving. The site is suited to experienced divers comfortable with strong currents, deep drops, and remote ocean conditions. Prior deep and drift diving experience is strongly recommended.
›What marine life can I expect at Salomon?
Salomon is known for apex predators and pelagics: hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, mantas, eagle rays, and dense schools of jacks and tuna. Large groupers and snappers inhabit the reef structure. The site's remote location and protected status mean healthy populations rarely encountered on mainland reefs.
›How do I access Salomon and are permits required?
Access is by liveaboard vessel from Colombian Pacific ports—there is no land-based diving. Malpelo is a UNESCO World Heritage site and strict marine reserve; all diving operates under Colombian conservation law and the sanctuary's regulations. Tour operators handle all required permits and compliance.
