El Remanso
Gorgona Island · Colombia
El Remanso — meaning the calm backwater — is Gorgona's most sheltered dive site and the best entry point for humpback whale encounters, as the bay provides a resting ground for mothers and calves during the July through November humpback season. The shallow reef terrace is carpeted in soft corals and sea fans, and its protected position means visibility stays high even when conditions elsewhere are rough. The site also delivers consistent encounters with spotted eagle rays, green turtles, and the occasional Pacific nurse shark resting on the sandy floor.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 25 m
Open water and up
Current
Usually gentle
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
15 to 28 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
22 to 28°C
5mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
| Vis (m) | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 |
| Current | Still | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Still | Still | Still |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Western Basilisk
Last confirmed Mar 14, 2026 · 17 records
Very likely
Most dives
Painted Ghost Crab
Last confirmed Aug 23, 2025 · 5 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Ecuadorian Hermit Crab
Last confirmed Aug 23, 2025 · 6 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Humpback Whale
Last confirmed Aug 23, 2025 · 3 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Spotted Eagle Ray
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Pacific Nurse Shark
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Central American Boa
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Blue Anole
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear