Sorpresa is the deepest dive site we visit locally at approximately 30m/100ft maximum depth. Divers will be dropped off at the surface and descend into what appears to be only open ocean roughly 16m/50ft to the top of the oval shaped rock formation. The depth of this site creates a nearly constant cold thermocline so a full wetsuit is recommended at this site. However, the colder waters attract large southern stingrays in the tens as well as lobster and beautiful circling schools of jacks, spade fish, and grunts that will envelop divers the whole dive. On dives with clear visibility it is not uncommon to spend a deep stop or safety stop watching spotted eagle rays fly by or at least four species of hundreds of fish endlessly swim between and around divers. This is also a popular site for Advanced Open Water or Adventure Diver students to compare depth gauges, observe color and pressure changes at depth and other skills for the deep dive specialty.
Sorpresa or “Surprise”is rightfully named as it is always a surprise what you will see below. No matter the visibility, you can expect to get a full cylinder’s worth of marine life!