If you feel as if all the world’s tropical diving destinations have been completely taken over, you’ll be thrilled to discover one place that time has seemingly forgotten – Clipperton Island. An uninhabited overseas possession of France located west of Costa Rica, Northwest of the Galapagos Islands, and Southwest of Mexico, this coral atoll covers just nine square miles – but every inch of the reefs surrounding it is teeming with life. Let’s dive right in.
Incredible Marine Life Awaits
While one of Clipperton Island’s claims to fame is its reputation for hosting shipwreck survivors, most divers come here to encounter marine life rather than to look for lost ships. As you approach the island, expect to be greeted by an eager pod of bottlenose dolphins; once you don your shorty and hop into the 87-degree water, the real fun begins.
It is not unusual to encounter groups of juvenile silver tip sharks measuring about 1-2 feet long in the shallows. Starry moray eels inhabit the reefs and some are bold enough to go after fin tips; deeper down, groups of more than five hammerheads have been encountered; averaging 7-10 feet long, these beautiful sharks are usually found along the deep wall, at depths of about 40 meters or more.
Giant manta rays are encountered with regularity, particularly in areas where the reef changes to a sandy slope that begins at a depth of about four meters and that continues down past forty meters. In some areas the reef’s topography features steep walls that drop away into an abyss more than 1,000 feet deep; in others, the profile is gently sloping. Currents change constantly here, and often, they bring the mantas and other plankton-eaters along with them.
The coral reef environment at Clipperton Island is nearly incomparable. At cleaning stations, bustling barber fish tend to larger animals; look for leather bass, silky sharks, and sea turtles waiting for attention. At times you may hear the dolphins in the distance, and if you are like many fortunate divers who have spent time enjoying this beautiful underwater environment, you’ll meet them face to face. Sometimes travelling in small groups and sometimes aggregated in pods containing up to fifty or more individuals, these dolphins seem to really enjoy interacting with humans. If you swim upside down, do helicopter turns, or make funny motions with your hands and feet, the dolphins are very likely to reply in kind – the crazier you act, the more intrigued they become, often spinning and sounding, blowing bubbles, and clicking as if to encourage you to interact even more.
At night, you’ll find many of the reef’s smaller inhabitants wandering fearlessly about since so many of the fish are asleep. Shrimp and lobsters, various octopus species, and lots of starfish are just a few of the animals you’ll encounter here once the sun goes down.
As you might suspect, Clipperton Island is only accessible via liveaboard, and space is of course quite limited. If you hope to enjoy this unique adventure, prepare to plan your journey well in advance, and be sure to brush up on your underwater photography skills. Unlike any other place on the planet, this is a far-flung diving destination that is truly a place time forgot; yet to divers like us, it is absolutely unforgettable.