Trip Report Trip Video: Malpelo - February 2025

[cetacean]

@SC_14_sharkdiver

This is verly close to how I remember diving in Malpelo, although you seemed to have much better weather (we had overcast skies for most days). The hammers are there in numbers, that's great to see (we had very similar luck when we were there a number of years ago).

One question: I've seen a few interactions between sharks and mantas, but nothing quite like what you captured. Any idea on what the shark was attempting to do?

 

[SC_14_sharkdiver]

@SC_14_sharkdiver

This is verly close to how I remember diving in Malpelo, although you seemed to have much better weather (we had overcast skies for most days). The hammers are there in numbers, that's great to see (we had very similar luck when we were there a number of years ago).

One question: I've seen a few interactions between sharks and mantas, but nothing quite like what you captured. Any idea on what the shark was attempting to do?

Hi
It is not clear.
I have seen sharks scratching their skin against big fish like whale sharks, I think it is a similar behaviour.
Do sharks play?

There were lots of juvenile hammerheads which was nice to see.

 

[Scott K]

Excellent video! I’m headed there in early January. Columbia Dive Adventures said that you can see 200-400 hammerheads at that time.

 

[SC_14_sharkdiver]

Excellent video! I’m headed there in early January. Columbia Dive Adventures said that you can see 200-400 hammerheads at that time.

Thanks! If I go back, I would go back in January/February since that's when the thermocline is very shallow and at sites like El Arrecife / Altar de Virginia, the hammerheads can come very shallow (10-11 m) as shown in my video. But you need to be lucky with the conditions.

December to May should still be good for shallow hammers.

 

[Dan]

I’m in Malpelo now for the 3rd time. Today is our 1st day of diving. No hammerhead seen by my group. However, the other group have seen 2-3 of them, including Oceanic Manta in La Cara del Fantasma.

Our group only saw Galapagos sharks, schooling Eagle Ray & Barracuda. However, it’s only the first day of diving. 5 more diving days to come. (fingers crossed).

After seeing @SC_14_sharkdiver video, my next trip to Malpelo will definitely be in December- March time of the year.

 

[SC_14_sharkdiver]

I’m in Malpelo now for the 3rd time. Today is our 1st day of diving. No hammerhead seen by my group. However, the other group have seen 2-3 of them, including Oceanic Manta in La Cara del Fantasma.

Our group only saw Galapagos sharks, schooling Eagle Ray & Barracuda. However, it’s only the first day of diving. 5 more diving days to come. (fingers crossed).

After seeing @SC_14_sharkdiver video, my next trip to Malpelo will definitely be in December- March time of the year.

Who are the dive guides, just for curiosity? Is the sea choppy?

 

[sharkbear]

I’m in Malpelo now for the 3rd time. Today is our 1st day of diving. No hammerhead seen by my group. However, the other group have seen 2-3 of them, including Oceanic Manta in La Cara del Fantasma.

Our group only saw Galapagos sharks, schooling Eagle Ray & Barracuda. However, it’s only the first day of diving. 5 more diving days to come. (fingers crossed).

After seeing @SC_14_sharkdiver video, my next trip to Malpelo will definitely be in December- March time of the year.

Hey Dan! I was just in Malpelo from 7/5-7/13. We saw schools of hammerheads nearly every day - the largest school was perhaps around 80-100. It was an amazing trip. Have a wonderful time, wish I could be back there already!

 

[Dan]

Who are the dive guides, just for curiosity? Is the sea choppy?

My guide is Sten Johansson. The other guide is Yorlandy from Colombia.

Yes, the sea is pretty choppy due to high wind.

I just booked for 20-29 Jan 2027. You all please come & join me!

 

[Dan]

Hey Dan! I was just in Malpelo from 7/5-7/13. We saw schools of hammerheads nearly every day - the largest school was perhaps around 80-100. It was an amazing trip. Have a wonderful time, wish I could be back there already!

Wow!

We saw 1 or 2 hammerheads in a distance. Still have 9 more dives to go. Hopefully we’ll see more than a couple in closer encounters.

 

[SC_14_sharkdiver]

My guide is Sten Johansson. The other guide is Yorlandy from Colombia.

Yes, the sea is pretty choppy due to high wind.

I just booked for 20-29 Jan 2027. You all please come & join me!

I would like to go back, especially in january...but for now I am booked to see hammerheads in the Banda Sea!! Always hammers......