A Guide to Scuba Diving in South America
July 30, 2024
South America is home to some of the most breathtaking diving locations in the world. From the Pacific coast’s stunning underwater landscapes to the vibrant marine life of the Atlantic, and the freshwater wonders of the Amazon, South America offers a variety of dive sites to divers of all levels. Here are nine top places to go scuba diving in South America that promise an unforgettable underwater adventure.
Top 9 places to go scuba diving in South America
1. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
When it comes to scuba diving in South America, the Galápagos Islands are hard to beat. These famous islands offer incredible diving and feature variable conditions with water temperatures ranging from 16-24°C (60-75°F) and visibility up to 30 meters (100 feet).
Strong currents and surge can make diving challenging. Therefore, advanced certification with experience in strong currents is recommended to make the most of this exceptional destination.
At the Galapagos Islands, you can encounter hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins. To get there, fly into Seymour Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island or San Cristóbal Airport (SCY).
Recommended Dive Site: Darwin and Wolf Islands are renowned for their large pelagic species, including schools of hammerhead sharks and whale sharks.
2. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Fernando de Noronha is one of the best-known places to go diving in Brazil, with clear, warm waters between 26-30°C (79-86°F) and visibility up to 40 meters (130 feet). This stunning volcanic archipelago is dotted with golden beaches, forested hillsides, and wonderful dive sites; creating some of the best scuba diving in South America.
Conditions are generally calm, making it suitable for Open Water Divers, although an Advanced Open Water Diver certification is beneficial for deeper sites.
Expect to see dolphins, reef sharks, turtles, and vibrant coral reefs at this beautiful dive destination. To get there, fly into Fernando de Noronha Airport (FEN) from major Brazilian cities like Recife or Natal.
Recommended Dive Site: Pedras Secas is a famous site with incredible underwater rock formations and diverse marine life.
3. Bonaire, Caribbean
Bonaire is renowned for being one of the best shore diving destinations in the world and features dozens of dive sites just a few paces from shore. There are so many shore diving sites that it is common practice to hire a car and dive gear and simply make your way from one dive site to the next. If you like exploring at your own pace, diving in Bonaire could be for you.
Bonaire features excellent conditions with warm waters (26-28°C/79-82°F) and visibility often exceeding 30 meters (100 feet). An Open Water Diver certification is sufficient for most sites, making it one of the best places to go scuba diving in South America if you are a new diver or just enjoy easy-going dives.
Dive into Bonaire’s protected waters and you can see a dazzling array of marine life, including parrotfish, turtles, eagle rays, and a wide range of coral species. To get there, fly into Flamingo International Airport (BON) in Bonaire.
Recommended Dive Site: Hilma Hooker is a popular wreck dive surrounded by coral and teeming with marine life.
4. Malpelo Island, Colombia
Malpelo Island offers some of the most challenging and rewarding scuba diving in South America, with water temperatures ranging from 25-28°C (77-82°F) and visibility up to 30 meters (100 feet). An Advanced certification with experience in strong currents and open ocean diving is recommended. The SSI Waves, Tides, & Currents dive specialty is a great way to prepare for this adventurous destination.
You can expect encounters with large schools of hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, whale sharks, and giant manta rays at Malpelo. To get there, fly into El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogotá, then take a domestic flight to Buenaventura and board a liveaboard.
Recommended Dive Site: El Bajo del Monstruo is famous for its impressive schools of hammerhead sharks and other large pelagics.
Did you know that Bonaire has some excellent tech diving opportunities? Check out these Top 5 Bonaire Dive Spots For Tech Divers.
5. Los Roques, Venezuela
Los Roques boasts a variety of dive sites, from beautiful shallow reefs to exciting walls and caves. It is known for its clear waters and rich marine life and offers warm waters (26-28°C/79-82°F) with visibility up to 30 meters (100 feet). Conditions are generally calm and ideal for diving, making it suitable for Open Water Divers, though Advanced and Deep Diver certifications are beneficial for deeper sites.
There, you can encounter colorful coral reefs, nurse sharks, rays, and a variety of reef fish. To get there, fly into Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) in Caracas, then take a domestic flight to Los Roques.
Recommended Dive Site: Cayo de Agua is known for its stunning coral formations and rich marine life.
6. Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile
Easter Island is the most famous place to go diving in Chile and is known for its exceptionally clear water, reaching up to 70 meters (230 feet) at times! It has comfortable water temperatures between 20-26°C (68-79°F) and conditions are generally calm, making an Open Water Diver certification sufficient. If you are looking for somewhere unique to go scuba diving in South America, this could be the destination for you.
The main draw to Easter Island is the remarkably clear waters and underwater landscapes though there is some marine life to encounter. Divers can see unusual marine species like the Easter Island butterflyfish, as well as corals, and occasional sightings of turtles and dolphins. To get there, fly into Mataveri International Airport (IPC) on Easter Island from Santiago, Chile.
Recommended Dive Site: Mototi offers fascinating underwater topography and diverse marine life, including endemic species.
7. Beagle Channel, Argentina
The Beagle Channel in Argentina is a narrow sea passage that separates the Atlantic from the Pacific Ocean and sits at the southernmost tip of South America. This remote place to go scuba diving in South America features cold waters with temperatures ranging from 5-10°C (41-50°F) and visibility up to 15 meters (50 feet).
Advanced Open Water Diver certification with experience in cold water diving and dry suit diving is required to explore this unique dive area. Divers can encounter sea lions, giant kelp forests, king crabs, and a variety of cold-water fish species, as well as exciting shipwrecks. To get there, fly into Ushuaia – Malvinas Argentinas International Airport (USH).
Recommended Dive Site: Puerto Williams offers unique cold-water diving experiences with abundant marine life and kelp forests.
8. Mar del Plata, Argentina
Mar del Plata has temperate waters with temperatures ranging from 12-20°C (54-68°F) and visibility up to 10 meters (33 feet). Open Water Diver certification is sufficient, though Advanced certification is beneficial for the deeper sites.
There you can encounter groupers, sea bass, octopuses, and numerous shipwrecks. To get there, fly into Astor Piazzolla International Airport (MDQ) in Mar del Plata.
Recommended Dive Site: Restinga del Banco is a popular dive site featuring underwater rock formations and abundant marine life.
9. Providencia Island, Colombia
Providencia Island is off the beaten path and offers diving far from the crowds, with thriving shallow reefs teeming with fish and reef sharks. There are deep walls to explore and a barrier reef that ensures the sea is generally calm. The water is warm (26-28°C/79-82°F) with visibility up to 30 meters (100 feet) and an Open Water Diver certification is sufficient for most sites.
Expect to see rays, reef sharks, turtles, and vibrant coral reefs at this paradise island. To get there, fly into Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) in San Andrés, then take a domestic flight to Providencia.
Recommended Dive Site: Morgan’s Head features amazing underwater rock formations and diverse marine life.
South America’s diverse underwater landscapes make it a prime destination for scuba diving. From the shark-rich waters of the Galapagos Islands to the crystal-clear visibility of Fernando de Noronha, each location offers unique experiences for divers. Whether you are exploring ancient shipwrecks, diving with pelagic species, or marveling at vibrant coral reefs, these South American dive sites promise unforgettable adventures.
So, where will you explore first?
Get inspired with more featured places to go scuba diving in South America on MyDiveGuide.