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Green hills and blue sea in Providencia

Diving Chromis, Providencia

Chromis (also spelt Chromix) is near Manta’s City and owes its reputation to a scene Scuba Diving described in 2025: three Caribbean reef sharks gliding over a forest of sea fans swaying in the water. According to the same feature, one dive centre on the island uses it as a check dive, the first of the trip, to see how the group gets on.

Depth: Shallow plateau; the wall keeps dropping

Get the details
Depth -- m -- m+ Shallow plateau; the wall keeps dropping
Island
Providencia
Level
Open Water on the plateau; advanced on the wall
Type of dive
Coral plateau and wall
Ideal for
Sharks and sea fans

Site profile

Open Water limit · 18 m Advanced limit · 30 m

What the dive at Chromis is like

One dive site listing, which we treat with caution, describes it as a wall dropping from a shallow coral plateau. That structure fits its use as a check dive: the plateau allows comfortable diving and the wall is left for those with the level. The same listing gives a maximum depth of 60 m, but that is the profile of the wall, not how deep you go on a recreational dive.

What you’ll see

The image that has made the site famous is of Caribbean reef sharks moving over a forest of sea fans. Scuba Diving counted three on a single dive. No one can promise you they’ll appear, but the sea fans are definitely there and are worth the visit on their own.

Very close by is Manta’s City, a sandy bottom with patch reefs and rays, which can be combined with Chromis if the day’s plan allows.

Level, depth and conditions

There is no official level or typical depth on record. It’s reasonable to expect the plateau to suit Open Water divers and the wall to be for advanced divers; the depth of your dive will depend on the section, the conditions and your certification.

Visibility in Providencia is usually between 20 and 30 m, sometimes more, and drops with swell or rain. The water in the archipelago is around 27 °C from January to March and 29 to 30 °C in September and October.

Getting to dive Chromis

You reach Providencia from San Andrés, and around ten of its dive sites are about 15 minutes away by boat, according to Scuba Diving (2025). On Siete Azules trips the guide decides the sites each day according to the sea, the current and the group’s level, so Chromis may or may not be in the plan. And one rule for the end of the trip: no flying in the 18 hours after your last dive, or 24 if you’ve dived several days in a row.

What you’ll see

  • Caribbean reef shark
  • Caribbean reef shark
  • Gorgonians (sea fans)
  • Shallow coral plateau
  • Wall dropping into the blue

AI-generated image, for illustration

More dive sites

Green hills and blue sea in Providencia Felipe’s Place A coral platform that ends in a wall, with a natural tunnel and a submerged statue of Christ at about 24 m that PADI describes as damaged.
Beach with palm trees and a swing in Providencia Tete’s Place A shallow reef of about 9 m that diving magazines describe as one of the fishiest sites in Providencia, with pillar coral and octocorals.
The Lovers’ Bridge between Providencia and Santa Catalina Manta’s City Patch reefs on sand at about 12 m, with stingrays, cushion sea stars and plenty of macro.
Sunset on a beach in Providencia Turtle Rock A large rock separated from the wall by a deep crevice, with black coral.
Green hills and blue sea in Providencia The Spiral A tunnel that spirals down between about 24 and 35 m and a network of passages that ends among coral pillars.
Beach with palm trees and a swing in Providencia Confusion A wall with a ledge jutting out over the blue and encounters with reef sharks.
The Lovers’ Bridge between Providencia and Santa Catalina El Planchón An upturned, almost intact hull covered in coral at the entrance to the harbour area.
Sunset on a beach in Providencia Bajo de San Felipe A shallow coral garden, 11 to 12 m at most, off Lazy Hill.
Colourful fish in the clear water at West View, San Andrés Blue Wall (La Pared Azul) The most famous dive in San Andrés: a wall on the east side of the island that starts a few metres down and disappears into the blue.
Wreck lying on the seabed off San Andrés Nirvana A simple reef full of life on the west coast, at around 14 m.
Turquoise water and coral on the west coast of San Andrés, the sea of seven colours Trampa Tortuga (Trampa de Tortugas) An east-coast reef known for very clear water.
Blue water by the rocks at West View, San Andrés La Pirámide (The Pyramids) A very shallow reef, around 4 m deep, at the northern tip of the island.
El Acuario, shallow crystal-clear water off San Andrés West View y la estatua de Poseidón A natural pool on the west coast with a statue of Poseidon at around 8 to 9 m.
Platform with diving helmets for underwater walks at West View Blue Diamond (naufragio) A cargo ship sunk off the west coast, now an artificial reef.
The stranded ship at Rocky Cay, San Andrés Bajo Bonito A reef with sandy patches at around 15 m, the kind that invites you to slow down.
Johnny Cay seen from the sea Reggae Nest A reef on the west side, down to around 20 m, with coral described as being in very good condition.
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Frequently asked questions

Can you see sharks at Chromis?

It’s one of the sites in Providencia where Caribbean reef sharks have been seen, over a forest of sea fans. They are wild animals and there’s no guarantee of seeing them.

Is Chromis suitable for Open Water divers?

The shallow coral plateau should be; the wall is for advanced divers. The guide adapts the route to the group’s level and the day’s conditions.

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