Park or nature areaOutline guide

Isla Malpelo

Colombian island

Photo: NOAA, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Malpelo Island is in the Pacific Ocean 400 km west of Colombia. The island has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Some divers know it as "shark heaven."

Getting there and around

Getting there

Anyone hoping to visit Malpelo must get permission from the National Natural Park offices in Bogotá.

Read in the guide

Read before you go to Isla Malpelo

Articles and travel topics about Isla Malpelo and Colombia.

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandThe only inhabitants on the island is the staff of a military outpost.

Get inAnyone hoping to visit Malpelo must get permission from the National Natural Park offices in Bogotá.

Fees and permitsUS$90/day park fee for divers on boat under Colombian flag (2017).

SeeDespite its seemingly lifeless appearance, the island is a wildlife haven.

DoThe island is most famous as a diving location due to its amazing shark population.

BuyIt’s unlikely you’ll be buying anything here.

EatYou are going to be bringing your own food. The island is a wildlife sanctuary so you won’t be hunting or fishing and there are no shops or restaurants.

DrinkThere probably isn’t going to be any publicly available drinking water on the island.

SleepYou'll sleep on your boat. There are no public lodgings on the island.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Isla Malpelo" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Malpelo Island", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: NOAA, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

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