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Green hills and blue sea in Providencia

Diving Felipe’s Place, Providencia

Felipe’s Place is one of the best-known sites in Providencia thanks to its underwater statue of Christ, which PADI calls “Cristo Bajo las Aguas”. But the statue is only part of it: the dive crosses a platform of hard and soft corals with sponges, passes through a natural tunnel and looks out over a wall that drops away to the west, in the north of the island.

Depth: About 10 to 24 m

Get the details
Depth 10 m 24 m About 10 to 24 m
Island
Providencia
Level
Open Water for the upper part; advanced for the statue
Type of dive
Platform, wall and tunnel
Ideal for
Photography and advanced divers

Site profile

Open Water limit · 18 m Advanced limit · 30 m

What the dive at Felipe’s Place is like

PADI’s site profile describes a broad platform covered in hard and soft corals and sponges which, to the west, ends in a wall. Before the edge there are small sand flats and a few small caves. A Scuba Diving feature summed it up as a series of ledges, and it’s a good image: you work your way down steps of reef.

A crack forms a natural tunnel that you swim through at up to about 12 m. Afterwards, if the group’s level allows, the guide may take you to the statue, at about 24 m.

The statue of Christ, as it is today

The statue is the site’s big draw, but PADI says it is now damaged, without specifying since when. We won’t promise you a postcard photo: ask about its condition on the island before you dive and treat it as one more feature of the seascape, not the only reason for the dive. The surrounding reef is worth the trip on its own.

Level, depth and conditions

Sources put the dive at between about 10 and 24 m, with gentle currents according to a Colombian diving guide. The wall keeps going much deeper (one profile mentions 60 m), but that is the shape of the seabed, not the profile of a recreational dive.

No source sets an official level. Given the depth of the statue, it makes sense to hold Advanced Open Water or equivalent; the upper part of the platform suits Open Water divers. Visibility in Providencia is usually around 20 to 30 m and drops with swell or rain.

Getting to dive Felipe’s Place

You reach Providencia from San Andrés. An archived report from El Tiempo describes the boat ride from Aguadulce beach as taking about 12 minutes. On Siete Azules trips, in small groups, each day’s sites are chosen according to the sea, the current and the group’s level, so this site is not guaranteed.

Leave at least 18 hours between your last dive and the flight back to San Andrés, and 24 if you’ve dived several days in a row.

What you’ll see

  • Colourful sponges
  • Hard and soft corals
  • Invertebrates in crevices
  • Cryptic fish in the caves
  • Small sand flats
  • Statue of Christ (damaged)

More dive sites

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.
Green hills and blue sea in Providencia Chromis Reef sharks over a forest of sea fans, near Manta’s City.
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 still see the statue of Christ at Felipe’s Place?

According to PADI, the statue lies at about 24 m and is now damaged, with no indication of since when. Ask about its condition on the island before the dive.

What level do I need to dive Felipe’s Place?

To reach the statue, Advanced Open Water or equivalent is advisable. The platform and the tunnel, down to about 12 m, can be enjoyed with Open Water if the guide thinks it appropriate.

Where is Felipe’s Place?

In the north of Providencia. An archived report mentions a boat ride of about 12 minutes from Aguadulce beach.

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