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El Salvador

Plan your dives in El Salvador

✅ 2 dive sites • 📸 0 photos • 🗓 Best months: The best time to dive in El Salvador is during the dry season, from November to April. During these months, divers can expect calm seas, excellent visibility, and minimal rainfall, providing optimal conditions for underwater exploration.

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About Diving in El Salvador
El Salvador, a hidden gem for scuba divers, offers an intriguing underwater world filled with volcanic formations and vibrant marine life. Known for its friendly atmosphere and captivating coastal beauty, El Salvador provides divers with a unique experience, from exploring sunken ships to swimming alongside colorful fish in pristine waters. Highlights include the stunning underwater landscapes at Los Cobanos and the fascinating wrecks of Puerto La Libertad. With warm waters year-round and a laid-back vibe, divers can expect an inviting and thrilling adventure beneath the waves.
Diving Overview
Scuba diving in El Salvador offers a blend of volcanic rock formations, vibrant coral reefs, and intriguing wrecks. The country's Pacific coastline provides a variety of dive sites suitable for all skill levels, making it a versatile destination for divers seeking adventure and natural beauty.
Diving Conditions
  • Water Temperatures: Water temperatures range from 26°C to 30°C (79°F to 86°F) throughout the year.
  • Visibility: Visibility typically ranges from 10 to 30 meters, varying with location and season.
  • Currents: Currents are generally mild, though they can be stronger around certain sites, suitable for intermediate to advanced divers.
  • Skill Level: Diving conditions accommodate both beginners and experienced divers.
Top Dive Sites
  1. Los Cobanos (Sonsonate Department)
    Known for its volcanic rock formations and rich marine biodiversity, Los Cobanos offers divers a chance to explore stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant sea life.
  2. Puerto La Libertad (La Libertad Department)
    This site is famous for its shipwrecks and artificial reefs, providing an exciting environment for divers interested in wreck exploration and marine archaeology.
  3. Isla de Meanguera (Gulf of Fonseca)
    An off-the-beaten-path dive site known for its serene waters and diverse marine life, including fascinating coral gardens and schools of fish.
Marine Life
El Salvador's waters are home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks, and a plethora of tropical fish species. Divers may also encounter humpback whales during their migration season.
Reef Type
The reefs in El Salvador are primarily fringing and artificial, with volcanic rock formations adding unique underwater topography.
Reef Condition
The reefs are generally in good condition, with some areas showing signs of recovery due to ongoing conservation efforts.
Conservation
El Salvador has several marine protected areas, including the Barra de Santiago and Los Cobanos Marine Protected Area. Divers are encouraged to respect local regulations, which include no-touch policies for marine life and restricted fishing zones to preserve the underwater ecosystem.
Best Time to Dive
The best time to dive in El Salvador is during the dry season, from November to April. During these months, divers can expect calm seas, excellent visibility, and minimal rainfall, providing optimal conditions for underwater exploration.
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