Malpelo Liveaboard Expedition
Hammerheads, silky sharks, eagle rays, and the untamed blue of Malpelo Island
From $5,850 USD per person
July 14 - 24 2027
Discover Colombia’s Remote Malpelo Island
Join Pixel Expeditions aboard the rugged MV Ferox for 10 nights at one of the ocean’s most mysterious and exhilarating dive destinations: Malpelo Island. Located 500 km off Colombia’s Pacific coast, this volcanic outcrop is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest pelagic sanctuaries on Earth.
Your 10-night Liveaboard Adventure With Pixel Expeditions
Malpelo Island is truly wild. Here, schools of hammerheads sweep through the blue, silky sharks gather in their hundreds, and Galapagos, whale, and white tip sharks patrol alongside manta rays, eagle rays, dolphins, and the elusive smalltooth sand tiger. Free-swimming moray eels slither in the currents, and massive schools of jacks and groupers cloud the reef.
This voyage takes you deep into the Colombian Pacific, far from any shoreline. Malpelo rises dramatically from 4,000 metres below, its sheer cliffs surrounded by powerful converging currents that bring in the big predators.
Underwater, every dive has the potential to be extraordinary. Hammerhead walls, vast schools of silky sharks, manta flybys, even humpback whales during migration season. There’s no “best site” — the whole island is alive. With over 28 recognised dive sites, including walls, pinnacles, drifts, and swim-throughs, Malpelo offers the kind of action that makes even Galápagos and Cocos divers pause in awe.
Above water, the island is stark, dramatic, and patrolled by the Colombian Navy to ensure its protection. This remoteness and security help safeguard Malpelo as a true oasis of marine life.
With expert guides, photography mentoring, and small dive groups of just six divers per skiff, this trip is designed for serious divers who want more than just a holiday. It’s a full immersion into one of the world’s most legendary dive sanctuaries.
A Day at Malpelo
A typical day includes up to 3 dives daily, generally in the 60 - 130 feet (18 - 40 metres) range. Currents can be powerful, making every dive a thrilling ride. :
Breakfast → briefing → Dive 1
Snack & Hot Drink → briefing → Dive 2
Lunch → relaxation → briefing → Dive 3
Afternoon snack → warm shower & relaxation
Dinner & photo discussions ((or just a well-earned cold beer!)
All dives are made from fast RIBs, with cylinders filled directly onboard for efficiency. Every diver is equipped with a Personal Locator Beacon for safety.
Your Liveaboard in Malpelo: MV Ferox
MV Ferox is no ordinary dive boat. A 32 m former Swedish Navy ice-class mine layer, she was chosen for one reason: safety and strength. With an 11 mm steel hull, twin Scania engines, and a full 2017 refit, she’s built for the Pacific’s most challenging seas.
Carrying just 12 guests in 10 private ensuite cabins, Ferox combines rugged reliability with thoughtful comfort — fine linens, air-conditioning, and soundproofing for a restful sleep. Between dives, relax on the shaded sundeck or in the lounge, enjoy chef-prepared international and Colombian cuisine, and take advantage of dedicated camera facilities. The crew is available 24/7 to ensure every detail of your trip runs smoothly, from dive logistics to creature comforts.
Three fast 6 m RIBs (ex-North Sea rescue boats) make diving safe, efficient, and adventurous — exactly what Malpelo demands. With its balance of expedition toughness and boutique hospitality, Ferox is the perfect base for exploring one of the wildest dive destinations on Earth.
The Team Behind Your Adventure
Ferox is owned and captained by Anthony Cruzvergara, a veteran mariner who has crossed the Atlantic and circumnavigated the globe. He is supported by Captain Ricky Kelly, operations manager Shirley Restrepo, and dive leaders with 20+ years of experience in Malpelo. Their combined knowledge ensures you’re in the best possible hands both above and below the surface.
Pixel Expeditions
delivers more than a dive trip
We deliver a true liveaboard adventure to Colombia’s Malpelo Island.
Adventure is calling. Will you answer?
What’s Included in Your Malpelo Liveaboard?
From $5,850 USD per person
Private transfer from Cali (CLO) to Buenaventura and back
Full board accommodation (based on double occupancy)
Tea, coffee, juice, soft drinks & beer
Up to 3 dives daily (all on Nitrox 32%)
11L (AL80) cylinder with fills
Weights, weight belt, SMB
Personal Locator Beacon provided for each diver
Not Included
Fuel surcharge (currently $200 USD)
Additional gear rental
Nitrox certification (if required)
Onboard internet
Wine (by the bottle) & merchandise
Crew and dive guide gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
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Malpelo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s premier pelagic diving destinations. Located 500 km off Colombia’s Pacific coast, it offers divers encounters with massive schools of hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, whale sharks, and more. With only one liveaboard permitted at a time, diving Malpelo guarantees an exclusive and uncrowded experience.
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Malpelo diving is best suited for advanced and experienced divers. Strong currents, deep dives, and open-ocean conditions mean divers should be comfortable with drift diving, negative entries, and depths up to 40 metres (130 feet). Advanced certification and recent diving experience are recommended to make the most of this challenging and rewarding destination.
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Malpelo can be dived year-round, but each season brings something special. January–May typically has cooler water and better visibility, with massive hammerhead schools and Galapagos sharks. June–November sees warmer water, large numbers of silky sharks, eagle rays, and the chance of whale shark or humpback whale encounters. No matter when you go, Malpelo offers thrilling big-animal diving.
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A 10-night Malpelo liveaboard expedition includes private transfers from Cali to Buenaventura, full-board accommodation, chef-prepared meals, Nitrox for all dives, weights, SMBs, and a Personal Locator Beacon for each diver. You’ll enjoy up to 3 dives per day at world-class sites, expert dive guiding, and the comfort of a steel-hulled expedition vessel designed for safety and adventure.