Fill out your data to get our latest news and publications








    Colombia’s Oceans: The best view in South America

    Colombia has the best sea view in all of South America – looking out at two of the world’s most spectacular […]

    Colombia has the best sea view in all of South America – looking out at two of the world’s most spectacular oceans. As the world gathers to celebrate “Oceans Day” we invite you to enjoy both of Colombia’s coastlines, the Atlantic and the Pacific. With everything from sharks, turtles and whales to rare reefs, corals and shipwrecks, here’s the best way to see below the surface:

    6708815653_d58c034999_z

    Photo: Jolop

    Scuba

    Providencia Island is a scuba diving paradise. Not only is the island off the beaten track, with only a few thousand visitors per year, it has everything a scuba diver could possibly desire. The barrier coral reef is more than 20 miles long, making it one of the largest in the world. Sites like “Blue Hole” and “Contour” boast sponges, caves and shallow, sunlit coral gardens and there are plenty of shipwrecks to explore. Experienced divers often head to Gorgona and Malpelo islands too, close to Colombia’s Pacific coast, where they can dive deeper to see tiger and lemon sharks, dolphins, tuna, turtles and humpback whales.

    Snorkel

    Snorkel lovers usually prefer Colombia’s Caribbean coast, because its crystalline waters are perfect for short, shallow dives with excellent visibility. The Rosario Islands, close to Cartagena and the small town of Taganga, near Santa Marta, are much loved by both snorkellers and scuba divers alike. Although the larger marine animals tend to live in the Pacific Ocean, where the eco-system is similar to the Galapagos, the Caribbean has warmer waters and is awash with brightly-coloured tropical fish. Colombia’s Atlantic coast is also perfect for snorkel fans who want to take the next step and learn how to scuba.

    Whales

    Every year Colombia is treated to the arrival of humpback whales, who migrate 8,000km from the Antarctic to reach the calmer, warmer waters of our Pacific Ocean. The whales arrive from July to November to mate and give birth. They jump high out of the water and flash their enormous back fins in a breathtaking display that can be seen from Chocó in the north of the Pacific region, to Narino in the south. The most popular places to watch the whales are Nuqui, Bahia Solano and Bahia Malaga, close to Buenaventura. They can be seen from boats but also from land, as they often congregate just 50m from the shore.

    Turtles

    Colombia’s Caribbean coast is one of the most important turtle habitants in the world. It’s home to five out of seven of the planet’s turtle species, which migrate there to eat the region’s sea grasses. Turtles spend most of their time in the ocean but come onto the beach every year to lay their precious eggs. Those eggs tend to hatch in June and July, which sends hundreds of tiny turtles scuttling down to the water. Turtle nests and newborns are now protected by wardens in Colombia, who patrol the beaches and monitor their progress.

    It’s clear that when it comes to enjoying the world’s oceans and learning about the animals that depend on them, you should visit Colombia, the land of Sabrosura.

     

    Related articles

    7 Colombian curious animals

    Why should a nature-lover come to Colombia?

    Humpback whale-watching: the privilege of the Colombian Pacific

    5/5 - (2 votes)
    Artículos recomendados
    Colombia Hiking Trails, Hiking trails in Colombia, Landcape, Tourism

    Colombia: It’s Hiking Country

    Hikers are spoilt for choice in Colombia, with hiking trails that stretch over mountain tops and pass through paramo landscapes,...
    Sloth, Colombian fauna, bears, nature, landscapes

    Where to find the creatures that make Colombia famous

    Colombia is filled with all manner of weird and wonderful animals and the secret is knowing where and when to...
    cartagena, the heroic city of Colombia, the most welcoming country in the world

    Cartagena: A world’s heritage site

    Visit Cartagena and discover the magic of this city, declared world’s heritage site due to its amazing architecture and history.
    Colombian Orchids

    7 interesting facts about Colombian orchids

    Did you know that Colombia has the largest number of Orchids in the world, with more than 4.000 different species...
    Vegetation, Colombian flora, Ancient plants

    The Lost World: Colombia's Ancient Plants

    When writer Arthur Conan Doyle heard about South America’s mysterious table mountains, including those in the Cerro Campana in Colombia,...
    Cartagena, a city of the most welcoming country in the world | Colombia Country Brand

    Guide for Spending 48 Hours in Cartagena

    Frequently, many travellers only have two days for discovering a new city. That's why we bring you a list of...
    colombian art

    Experience the best of Colombian art in Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena

    Colombian art is booming, with more than 40 art galleries opening across the country in the past few years, several...
    Colombian destinations, Colombia off-the-beaten-track, Colombian secret destinations, Colombia tourism

    Five distant Colombian destinations you must visit

    Colombia is irresistible for tourists and with its beaches, jungles, deserts, mountains and cities, there is something for everyone. But...
    Colombian contemporary art, contemporary art, art, artists, culture

    What do you know about Colombian contemporary art?

    Artists such as Doris Salcedo and Óscar Murillo have showed Colombian art in the world’s most important galleries. 
    Fruits, Aphrodisacs fruits, Colombian fruit, Food

    Food to get you in the mood: Colombia’s favorite aphrodisiacs

    The aphrodisiac qualities of foods such as oysters and asparagus are world-renowned, but were you aware of the mood-inducing foods...