This is not a destination for fainthearted divers.
Strong current, big surge, and waves crashing on the sheer rocky island that you can only get on by climbing a 10-meter-long rope ladder hanging from a ramp that sticks out from the island of Malpelo. IF it’s calm.
On one trip a very strong storm that took place south of us caused swells to reach us with such force that the waves rolling in crashed against the rocks and splashed up to 70 meters high! It moved 2-cubic-meter boulders stationed 35 meters deep in the water. I could not even dive close to the island. Luckily, we had hammerheads and silkies in the blue water, so we still had good diving.
It’s difficult diving and it’s not for everyone. But as long as you respect mother nature, Malpelo is the one destination I hope you will live to experience.
Why Malpelo is Special
I choose to be a guide in Malpelo because this is one of the last remote destinations that exist on this planet. It’s not like Cocos, which for me got too civilized. Socorro was a remote destination and I loved the time when we were by ourselves; now there are 8 boats out at the islands.
In Malpelo only one liveaboard vessel is allowed in the park at a time. I’m by myself with my divers. We take the skiff out to look at the conditions and then we decide our dive.
In Malpelo only one liveaboard vessel is allowed in the park at a time. I’m by myself with my divers. We take the skiff out to look at the conditions and then we decide our dive.
What You Might See
You can get hammerheads, silkies, Galapagos, and whale sharks, plus bait balls and bottlenose dolphins. Lest we forget the richness of other sea life here—we also have the barracudas, the schools of whipper snappers, the blue-fin trevallys, leatherbasses curiously following us and swallowing our bubbles, schooling milkfish, and shitting mullet snappers.
Being underwater and watching the different hunting behaviors for me is as exciting as when we get a big school of hammerheads passing by.
Malpelo Trip Details
Dates
March 7-17, 2025 (7 diving days)
July 19-28, 2025 (6 diving days)
July 30-August 8, 2025 (6 diving days)
August 8-18, 2025 (7 diving days)
March 10-19, 2026 (6 diving days)
July 7-16, 2026 (6 diving days)
Group Size
Maximum of 6 divers
On 1 RHIB
In 2 cabin types
Cabin Types
Queen Cabin x1 (couples)
Single Cabin x4 (individuals)
Includes
Onboard meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages;
Round-trip transfer from Intercontinental Hotel Cali to Buenaventura and back;
Mandatory Nitrox fills (12 Liter tank);
Use of Personal Locator Beacon;
Use of Surface Marker Buoy;
3 dives per day except on last day (2 dives).
Excludes
Park fees (payable in cash onboard);
Hotels;
Airport transfers;
Rental equipment;
Bar tab and other onboard expenses, payable in cash only (USD preferred);
Gratuities.
How This Works
I’m looking for 6 skilled (at least 200 dives) and patient divers, preferably divers whom I have guided before. Photographers and friends of previous guests are also welcome.
I will work as a crew member, but I will give full attention to my 6 divers. Until we are on land, I won’t rest and I will do my best as a guide. I can help with improving your vegetarian food, but not with your chocolate on your pillow. In that case you are not the diver I want to guide.
What I would like to achieve is that we have a team of divers who don’t need me to be a shepherd so that I can focus on my work and do my best to find creatures underwater.
You pay directly to Colombia Dive Adventures. I take my commission, which covers my costs for getting a good group and doing the best I can when we get there.
I will work as a crew member, but I will give full attention to my 6 divers. Until we are on land, I won’t rest and I will do my best as a guide. I can help with improving your vegetarian food, but not with your chocolate on your pillow. In that case you are not the diver I want to guide.
What I would like to achieve is that we have a team of divers who don’t need me to be a shepherd so that I can focus on my work and do my best to find creatures underwater.
You pay directly to Colombia Dive Adventures. I take my commission, which covers my costs for getting a good group and doing the best I can when we get there.
Where To Go
We will meet up at Hotel Intercontinental in Cali, Colombia. There are cheaper hotels close by if you want other options.
We will go on a 3- to 4-hour scenic bus ride to Puerto Buenaventura, making one stop in a place with a beautiful view and where you can get something to eat or go for a bathroom break.
Getting in to the port of Buenaventura, you will not receive a Hilton or One-and-Only kind of welcome. We will all disembark and we will all keep an eye on our bags. The crew are completely trustworthy, but for some of you this might be the only time that you will experience the reality of Colombia.
I declare it’s safe.
The dive skiffs will take us and our luggage to the mother ship, which is anchored in the bay. You might want to bring a light jacket for the occasional rain if you don’t want to get wet.
The port of Buenaventura
Getting in to the port of Buenaventura, you will not receive a Hilton or One-and-Only kind of welcome. We will all disembark and we will all keep an eye on our bags. The crew are completely trustworthy, but for some of you this might be the only time that you will experience the reality of Colombia.
I declare it’s safe.
The dive skiffs will take us and our luggage to the mother ship, which is anchored in the bay. You might want to bring a light jacket for the occasional rain if you don’t want to get wet.
What to Expect
The Service
Onboard you will be greeted by the captain and the crew. While you may not receive 5-star service, the men will do their best. Sometimes you do need to ask for an extra blanket, an adapter or something else; if they have it, then you will get it.
Food is served on the dive deck. The galley staff will do their utmost to cater to your dietary restrictions if you inform us before your trip what you are allergic to.
Bring your own adapter, spices, and anything else that you think you can’t live without.
Food is served on the dive deck. The galley staff will do their utmost to cater to your dietary restrictions if you inform us before your trip what you are allergic to.
Bring your own adapter, spices, and anything else that you think you can’t live without.
The Cabins
The cabins are functional and have enough space for a big person like me. (I’m 1.96 m and 100 kg.)
There are two types of cabins—the Queen Cabin for couples or individuals who would like to share one bed; and the Single Cabin, which has one bed for one person. Since the cabins have been reconfigured so that they all have an en-suite bathroom, each cabin is slightly different in size and layout.
There are Type A and Type B sockets in the cabins, and they run 220V.
There are two types of cabins—the Queen Cabin for couples or individuals who would like to share one bed; and the Single Cabin, which has one bed for one person. Since the cabins have been reconfigured so that they all have an en-suite bathroom, each cabin is slightly different in size and layout.
There are Type A and Type B sockets in the cabins, and they run 220V.
The Way I Guide When Diving Malpelo
We normally go to different sites—2 groups of 6 divers each with one guide per group. Guiding Malpelo is really a skill, so having an excellent guide with a lot of experience in this area is very important.
We do negative entries on all the dives. If you have a big SLR camera, get over quickly to the boat so that the guide or captain can give you “your precious.”
I normally go straight down and point where to go. If we wait too much, we will miss the dive site since Malpelo often has strong currents.
You dive with the guide. The guide goes slowly, so it should not be a problem for you to keep track of him. If the current is stronger, be more alert and keep your eye on the group. In case you get lost and neither the guide nor your group is in sight, follow your smallest bubbles up to the surface, skip the safety stop and inflate your sausage. The skiff driver will pick you up.
If you don’t do so and follow a whale shark 2 miles away from your group, you endanger not only your life but mine. And you will have to deal with a not-so-pleased Viking, who will cancel the rest of your diving. I will not risk my life or other divers’ lives and ruin their vacation because of one irresponsible diver.
The dive sites are set per dive. I personally don’t like to plan too much because mother nature has her own mind. Sometimes I take a peek into the site before we go in, other times I tell you to get dressed and we will decide what to do when we get to the site. The conditions in Malpelo change all the time.
We do negative entries on all the dives. If you have a big SLR camera, get over quickly to the boat so that the guide or captain can give you “your precious.”
I normally go straight down and point where to go. If we wait too much, we will miss the dive site since Malpelo often has strong currents.
You dive with the guide. The guide goes slowly, so it should not be a problem for you to keep track of him. If the current is stronger, be more alert and keep your eye on the group. In case you get lost and neither the guide nor your group is in sight, follow your smallest bubbles up to the surface, skip the safety stop and inflate your sausage. The skiff driver will pick you up.
If you don’t do so and follow a whale shark 2 miles away from your group, you endanger not only your life but mine. And you will have to deal with a not-so-pleased Viking, who will cancel the rest of your diving. I will not risk my life or other divers’ lives and ruin their vacation because of one irresponsible diver.
The dive sites are set per dive. I personally don’t like to plan too much because mother nature has her own mind. Sometimes I take a peek into the site before we go in, other times I tell you to get dressed and we will decide what to do when we get to the site. The conditions in Malpelo change all the time.
What Guests Say
Many thanks to Sten the Viking and the crew of the Ferox. Everything on Sten's website is spot-on. With its often-difficult water conditions, Malpelo diving can be challenging. I felt very safe having a guide as experienced in those waters as Sten to lead us and put us in position to see the big schools of fish and at least six types of sharks, including the legendary Pacific Raggedtooth Shark or Ferox.
Manuel S.
Malpelo 2024
Sten really has a gift. He is the only dive guide/dive master/dive professional I’ve ever met who actually reads fish behavior. I’d personally follow him to the end of the earth but that’s just my psyche.
David M.
Malpelo 2023
The trip to Malpelo was a success. We all had a great time. Sten was simply a fantastic dive guide who has left us with many truly memorable moments. We are certain his experience and his approach were the main reasons for our absolutely brilliant dives!
Mark P.
Malpelo 2022
Malpelo is a magical place, and we felt very safe with you and Ferox. We can’t wait to join you again!
Bob and Amy F.
Malpelo 2021
Want to let you know what an awesome dive adventure I had. I had high expectations and this trip more the then met them!!! You are the Shark Whisperer!!!! All the other divers were super good and fun to hang out with… definitely recommend your group diving, and you as the Dive Guide!!!
Brent M.
Malpelo 2019
Enormous THANK YOU for my best diving trip ever!!!
Arnaldo M.
Malpelo 2019
