A while ago, we decided we would be heading south of the National Park.

Past Danzante island there is a wide region with abundance of seamounts and pinnacles. Although the area is popular among fishermen, is not very often dove, as dive operators tend to stick with closer and more convenient spots. We like remote and unspoilt, so we decided to give it a go.

South of Danzante we can find a series of little islets known as los Candeleros, which emerge fairly steeply from the sea floor. The south end of Danzante already hints the abrupt verticality of the overall area and we were sure other submerged (and more secret) pinncales or seamounts could be found. Fortunately for us, some of them are even vsible from the surface as the lie only a couple of meters down the surface. Other require some persistence and a good depth finder.

The first time we went to this region, we decided to dove 3 supposed mounts, and we did. The first two were great: plenty of coral coverage, pretty formations and lots of life. But it was the third one that captivated our mind.

This one is a huge pinnacle that drops down to 95 feet / 26 meters deep. The place is gorgeous. Steep walls drop down quick to a rubbly bottom, full of big boulders. As we went down the wall we realized that most of it was coated with sea fans and gorgoninas, and the deeper region had plenty of black coral, apparently in great conditions. As it usually happens, the current on top was intense, and wrapped around one side of the pinnacle. This certainly explains the abundance of soft coral!

After some kicking, we reached the sheltered side of the dive, and fish life was thick here. Damselfish and chromis plagued the place in every single corner, a few amberjacks hunted about, and a solitary eagle ray glided over the sandy bottom. In spring time, we can find many horn sharks as well! Quite a display!

Along the way we notice some signs of fishing activity, like a couple of ropes and rock anchors. Fortunately, not much damage has been caused to the reef, maybe because its great verticality.

The final ascent is a gift to the eyes, and we can see how colors come back to life as we reach the shallow summit of the pinnacle. Here, juvenile triggerfish gather in big numbers, and nudibranches can be found in great abundance everywhere. We have dove this spot many times after our first trip, and it has become one of our favorite spots in the entire National Park. We decided to name it “Neptune’s Finger” given it’s steep and pinnacle-like profile emerging from the depth.