El Planchón
The wreck at this dive site is 30 meters long, 12 meters deep, and extends 2 meters above the seabed. Over time, it has become a thriving habitat for a wide variety of organisms, making it an attractive spot for fish and sharks seeking shelter.
This historic wreck, which is approximately 70 years old, is teeming with marine life such as barracudas, jacks, grunts, groupers, and even sea horses. Its rich biodiversity makes it a captivating destination for underwater photography and videography. The excellent light penetration at this depth enhances the quality of images and videos captured here.
Situated on a coral plain at a depth of 10 meters, this wreck is an unparalleled location for divers of all experience levels to explore. It offers exceptional opportunities to observe the diverse array of invertebrates and fish species that have made it their home. With its convenient location and varying depths, divers can enjoy extended bottom times.
Additionally, the surrounding reef provides a breathtaking spectacle as natural gas bubbles rise to the water's surface, creating an enchanting display for divers. Damselfish and Kreoles can be observed playfully interacting with these bubbles, adding to the overall charm of the dive site.
With a visibility of approximately 10 meters, a maximum depth of 11 meters, and suitable for divers of all levels (beginner, advanced, and expert), this remarkable dive site in Colombia promises an unforgettable underwater adventure.
Diving Conditions Score for El Planchón
Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for El Planchón
Depth
11m
Visibility
10m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for El Planchón
Wave Height
1.08m
Wind Speed
11.3 m/s
Water Temp
30.3°C
Visibility
7.06km
Cloud Cover
99%
Wave Period
7.75s
Air Temperature
28°C
Precipitation
0.7 mm
Dive Score Chart for El Planchón
Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 7.514661571125265/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.98m, Wind 6.6 m/s.Best night dive time: 3:00 with score 7.443225576519916/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at El Planchón are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Score: 7.5/10
Waves: 0.98m (7.85s), Wind: 6.6 m/s
Score: 7.4/10
Waves: 1m, Wind: 2.5 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for El PlanchónAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at El Planchón
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for El Planchón
Winter
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for El Planchón
Ideal Conditions for El Planchón
Water Temp
26.5°C / 79.7°F
May
Visibility
13.7m / 44.9ft
December
Wave Height
1.2m / 3.9ft
December
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for El Planchón
El Planchón shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with May being the warmest month (26.5°C) and November the coldest (22.4°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in December with average wave heights of 1.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in December with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). February is usually the driest month with 0.5mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during December to February, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026