Dom@DiveAdvice
Contributor
Hi Freewillow - I would not tell you not to go in November, as any time can be good at Malpelo, but that is the rainiest month and there is reason that the two trips in November are amongst the last months to be chartered by the major agents who book charters to Malpelo every year. Pretty well all trips from March to November 2017 have been secured by various agents, as it will probably be the final year for the Yemaya to Malpelo and if you can, you may want to consider an earlier trip than November. You can see a list of availability on the boat's website or on the availability PDF at Dive Advice liveaboard Availability: spaces on dive boats worldwide
Nature is nature and nothing is written in stone, but here is a rough overview of Malpelo Seasons in a "normal year" - which of course can vary with El Nino and La Nina being factored in.
DIVE ADVICE - MALPELO SEASONS
Malpelo is really all year but here are some answer to questions about Malpelo seasons, I hope this helps you with planning:
Hammerheads: All year round. Scientists describe slightly bigger groups from January to April though we can not confirm this. We observe on all trips all year round schools of more than 150 to 300 individuals.
Silkies: big schools of Silkie sharks from 300 to 1000 from May to beginning August. Best months June and July
Sand Tiger "Monster shark": when cold water. So from January to April, there is a 50% chance to see them but no guarantee. Normally they stay in 50 to 60 meters depth. We take only the very experienced divers to that depth.
Whale sharks: all year round, but best time July, August, and beginning of September
Other species: Free swimming moray eels all year round, Galapagos sharks all year round, big schools of jacks, snappers and groupers all year round. Eagle Rays are very common in Malpelo, all year round
Water Temp: from January to April 26 C 70 27 C on surface and from 24 down to 16 C under Thermocline. Thermocline can start at 15 to 20 m
April to December 27/28 C on surface and 24 to 21 C under Thermocline. During this time Thermocline starts normally below 25 m or can even disappear completely.
Waves: calmest months March and April
Rain: dry season from 15 of December to beginning of May.
In this time mostly north wind
Rainy season: From May to December, mostly wind from south - normally it rains 2 or 3 hours a day until the sun comes out
There are also days with absolutely no rain. The rainiest month is November
Nature is nature and nothing is written in stone, but here is a rough overview of Malpelo Seasons in a "normal year" - which of course can vary with El Nino and La Nina being factored in.
DIVE ADVICE - MALPELO SEASONS
Malpelo is really all year but here are some answer to questions about Malpelo seasons, I hope this helps you with planning:
Hammerheads: All year round. Scientists describe slightly bigger groups from January to April though we can not confirm this. We observe on all trips all year round schools of more than 150 to 300 individuals.
Silkies: big schools of Silkie sharks from 300 to 1000 from May to beginning August. Best months June and July
Sand Tiger "Monster shark": when cold water. So from January to April, there is a 50% chance to see them but no guarantee. Normally they stay in 50 to 60 meters depth. We take only the very experienced divers to that depth.
Whale sharks: all year round, but best time July, August, and beginning of September
Other species: Free swimming moray eels all year round, Galapagos sharks all year round, big schools of jacks, snappers and groupers all year round. Eagle Rays are very common in Malpelo, all year round
Water Temp: from January to April 26 C 70 27 C on surface and from 24 down to 16 C under Thermocline. Thermocline can start at 15 to 20 m
April to December 27/28 C on surface and 24 to 21 C under Thermocline. During this time Thermocline starts normally below 25 m or can even disappear completely.
Waves: calmest months March and April
Rain: dry season from 15 of December to beginning of May.
In this time mostly north wind
Rainy season: From May to December, mostly wind from south - normally it rains 2 or 3 hours a day until the sun comes out
There are also days with absolutely no rain. The rainiest month is November
