Ilopango

Unique volcanic crater lake dive with warm thermal vents.

Boat Access
18m Avg Depth
30m Max Depth

About this dive site

This dive site offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Located just 16 kilometers from San Salvador, Lake Ilopango is renowned for its volcanic origins and extraordinary underwater landscape. The lake’s waters are naturally warm due to the presence of active volcanic vents, creating an otherworldly environment with dramatic rock formations and underwater hot water projections. Diving within the volcanic crater itself provides an unparalleled opportunity to witness firsthand the geological activity that shaped this remarkable location. It's a place where you can explore extraordinary forms and cliffs of volcanic stones, reminiscent of diving into a living volcano. The site is rich in history and geology, presenting fascinating insights into the region’s natural processes. Because it is an active crater, the experience offers a rare chance to observe volcanic activity directly.

Diving Freediving Snorkeling

Site Ratings

Big Marine Life Poor
Macro Marine Life Poor
Landscape Quality Excellent
Water Visibility Very Good Viz
Famousness Well Known

Plan Your Visit

wall divegeological formationsaltitude divingvolcanic divingwarm wateradvanced only

Things to Note

Difficulty:

Advanced

Unique environment in an active volcanic crater with extreme depths.

Hazards:
depthboat traffic
Current Strength:

Mild

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