Renowned for its barrier reef, which is the world’s third longest, and for an incredible amount of underwater biodiversity, Colombia’s Providencia is by far the nation’s most popular place to dive. Most of the waters that surround the area are part of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To get an idea of what awaits, imagine a huge reef area consisting of 255 square kilometers of coral; with cliffs, caves, sunken ships dating back to the days when galleons were pursued by pirates, and incredible blue holes; the area is a diver’s paradise. Here are just five favorite sites.
Felipe’s Palace
Named in honor of Felipe Cabeza, a local diver and explorer, Felipe’s Palace is probably the most popular site Providencia has to offer. With depths ranging from 31 to 80 feet, the site features a stunning wall and a huge, cracked labyrinth where coral creates a backdrop for a number of colorful tropical fish. Huge pillar corals and massive sponges, colorful star corals, and hills coated in stony coral, and even black coral and sea fans create an underwater garden where one can find everything from turtles to sharks. The light and color contrasts are simply incredible, making this a site every underwater photographer should visit at least once.
Turtle Rock
There are actually two sites at Turtle Rock; a Cliff and Grotto with a wall, cave, and crack, which offers depths from 50 to 140 feet, and another wall and crack, plus Turtle Rock itself, which is shaped like a domed toadstool 35 feet high and 20 feet across. Masses of orange and red corals and bouquets of yellow sponge cover the underside of the rock, and on its outer side, the open ocean presents a vista of endless blue. Watch for visiting pelagics here, including lots of barracuda, horse-eye jacks, and some fairly large reef sharks, along with turtles visiting the rock to graze.
NX
A wall which is penetrated by an enormous crack, NX features maximum depth at over 200 feet, although there is plenty to see at a depth of just 80 feet. The wall has been eroded over the millennia, and features stair-like structures that lead to a cave which is situated at a depth of about 140 feet; this cave features a chimney that leads out to the reef top, where you’ll find abundant and colorful life.
Snapper Shoal
A fairly shallow site which features maximum depth at just 65 feet, and which begins in about 10 feet of water, Snapper Shoal offers a small wall that sits perched above a brilliant white sandy bottom. Suitable for all divers, and a popular place for snorkeling too, the reef here is well-lit and extremely colorful. Watch for fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates of every description as you explore.
Stairway to Heaven
An impressive site that begins at a depth of 80 feet with a sandy channel that leads toward a massive gorge that spills out into the open ocean, Stairway to Heaven features a pair of walls with faces covered in a tapestry of colorful corals and sponges, along with a wide-open cave at a depth of 170 feet, which features enormous tube sponges and soft coral, plus three huge “step” formations in the stony coral itself. The site is well populated by small creatures, but is an outstanding place to encounter sharks, rays, and big sea turtles. There is a current and the depths are challenging; the rewards, however, are simply incredible.
Despite its location far away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds that dominate many other Caribbean holiday locations, Providencia is home to a number of excellent dive operators. Brush up on your skills before visiting so you can visit some of the more challenging sites, and you’ll be certain to enjoy every minute of your vacation.