El Monstruo (Bajo del Monstruo)

A submerged pinnacle off Malpelo Island and the most reliable place on Earth to encounter the deep dwelling smalltooth sand tiger shark (Odontaspis ferox), nicknamed 'the monster'. The site features a fragile hard coral patch on its south side around 12 m, walls cloaked in yellow orange anemones and gorgonians, a 'condominium of morays' grotto, and a deeper reef slope at 60–70 m where the ferox shark congregates during cold water months. Schools of leather bass, creolefish, jacks and scalloped hammerheads cycle through; strong currents and depth make it a serious dive only run in good conditions.