Diving Malpelo: when to go and what it is really like

Is Malpelo worth diving now?

Malpelo is a bare rock in the eastern Pacific, which tells you what sort of trip this is. You go for scalloped hammerheads, Galápagos sharks, silkies and huge morays. Expect negative entries, deep profiles and a boat that assumes you already know what you’re doing.

When is the best time to dive Malpelo?

Go in January — April. This calendar does not reward shoulder season: those are the months I would actually spend the money on, not merely months when an operator can run a trip. Remote, exposed and current-heavy, with repeated deep dives over several days.

What will you actually see?

Hammerhead schools, Galápagos sharks, Silkies, Giant morays are the reasons to make the trip. Wild encounters vary, but the ranking assumes the best months above rather than an average week across the year.

• Hammerhead schools
• Galápagos sharks
• Silkies
• Giant morays

How difficult is the diving?

Advanced only. Remote, exposed and current-heavy, with repeated deep dives over several days.

Trip format: Liveaboard expedition only.

Why is Malpelo ranked #6?

Malpelo is a major trip, held just below the very top by variability, difficulty or a narrower range of standout encounters.

The 9.3 score is one editorial opinion, not a visitor average. It weights sharks and other pelagics heavily, then asks whether the reef and the rest of the itinerary justify the flight.