Malpelo Island

Pacific Ocean, Colombia

---

Malpelo Island is a small, remote volcanic island located about 500 kilometers west of the Colombian mainland in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It rises steeply from the ocean floor with rocky cliffs reaching approximately 300 meters high and is surrounded by deep waters with strong currents.

The island is barren and rugged, supporting limited terrestrial life but serving as a critical aggregation point for diverse marine species. It forms part of the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, a large marine protected area recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional biodiversity.

Malpelo is renowned globally for its rich marine ecosystem, including large populations of hammerhead, silky, and whale sharks, making it a top destination for divers and marine researchers. The marine environment features steep underwater walls, caves, and tunnels that create habitats for many species, contributing to its status as one of the most important conservation areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.