Scuba diving in Peru (marine)

Scuba diving in Peru is cold water diving that has it all: an amazing diversity and a huge amount of marine species, sea lions, kelp forest, rock walls and ship wrecks.

Astonishingly however there is not yet a lot of commercial scuba diving in Peru. The country still is a blank spot on the world map of diving. Scuba diving in Peru offers a unique experience, so far shared by only a handful of others.

Nature Expeditions pioneers recreational scuba diving in Peru. Our dive guides are biologists or field assistants of the biological research projects of the conservation NGO Mundo Azul. This adds a level of quality in under-water guiding that can hardly be matched by others. They are trained to find the small biological underwater treasures, like morays, frogfish, different crab species etc. and provide you with in-depth knowledge about their natural history. This way scuba diving in Peru is not only great fun but also becomes an amazing learning experience.

People that arrive in Peru’s capital Lima and have only a day or two of time for scuba diving in Peru, may book on a daily basis Nature Expeditions pre-designed diving trips to Pucusana port (70 km south of Lima). For people that have more time we are able to design complete packages for scuba diving in Peru.

Scuba diving in Peru is mostly cold water diving. Because of the Humboldt Current water temperatures are varying between 14° Celsius (April to November) and maximum 19° Celsius (December to March). Average visibility when scuba diving in Peru is 5-8 meters. On extraordinary days visibility may reach 15 to 18 meters.

Even though it’s a cold water destination Peru surprises with an amazing biodiversity: More than 1000 species of fish are registered in Peru, 1400 species of mollusks and over 300 crustacean species.

The Humboldt Current is the most productive fishing area in the world. Six to eight million tons of fish are caught each year in Peru alone. That equals 10 % of the entire worlds annual fish catch. The Peruvian sea is extremely rich in nutrients and oxygen. This is why we have an amazing density of marine live that you won’t find in many other diving spots around the world – there is not a centimeter of rock that would not be covered by a carpet of living beings and when scuba diving in Peru you can lift any stone – at least five crabs will rush away from under it.

One of the main attractions of scuba diving in Peru is the kelp forest. The up to ten meter high algae, being held up by countless gas filled bubbles, are creating the perfect hiding place for huge numbers of fish. But more important: when diving in kelp forest you can’t help feeling like strawling thru a bewitched and magic world of dreams.

For videos and slideshows about diving in Peru CLICK HERE

Finally there are only a handful of places in the world where you can dive with sea lions and Peru is one of them. Scuba diving in Peru with sea lions surely is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on our planet.

 

For more information about Diving and Swimming with sea lions CLICK HERE

 

 

Where is the dive location and how to organize your dives?

Although many of our dive programs and packages are in Pucusana port (70 km south of Lima) we do NOT have a dive shop in Pucusana. Therefore, your dive trips have to be organized in Lima. Even though it is possible to organize our trip from one day to the other, we do recommend making your dive arrangements a number of days in advance.

 

Equipment rental

(prices do not incl. tax):

  • Full equipment: 120 Soles (ABC, BCD, 7mm wetsuit, regulators)
  • ABC only: 30 Soles
  • Wetsuit only: 30 Soles
  • BCD only: 45 Soles
  • Regulators only: 45 Soles
  • Diving lamp: 30 Soles
  • Dive computer: 60 Soles

 

Dive Programs

Please remember that you need to be a certified diver in order to take part in a Nature Expeditions diving trip. And as it is common practise in dive operations around the world we will ask you to sign a “no-liability” form for this trip 

 

One dive (one tank) – (night dive or day dive)

Includes:

  •  leads (diving weights)
  • 1 tank
  • German/English/Spanish speaking dive guide
  • Boat transport
  • Duration: Approximately: 2 hours on board

Price (Valid till 31.12.2012): 249 Soles per person (not incl. tax)

Minimum number of divers required to confirm a trip: 2
If you are the only diver on that day we will be happy to take you for an extra 100 Soles

Book your dive trip (click here)

 

Two dives (two tanks) – (two day dives or alternatively one night dive and one day dive)

Includes:

  •  leads
  • 2 tanks
  • German/English/Spanish speaking dive guide
  • Boat transport
  • Duration: Approximately: 3-4 hours on board

Price (Valid til 31.12.2012): 329 Soles per person (not incl. tax)

Minimum number of divers: 2
If you are the only diver on that day we will be happy to take you for an extra 100 Soles

Book your dive trip (click here)

 

Three dives (three tanks) – (three day dives or alternatively two day dives and one night dive)

Includes:

  • leads
  • 3 tanks
  • German/English/Spanish speaking dive guide
  • Boat transport
  • Duration: Approximately: 5 hours on board

Price (Valid till 31.12.2012): 399 Soles per person (not incl. tax)

Minimum number of divers: 2

If you are the only diver on that day we will be happy to take you for an extra 100 Soles

Book your dive trip (click here)

 

Diving with sea lions

(Take note: this is the only dive trip that does not go to Pucusana – We start navigating from Lima)

Includes:

  • Hotel pick-up and terrestrial transport
  • Lunch box
  • leads (dive weights)
  • 2 tanks
  • German/English/Spanish speaking dive guide
  • Boat transport
  • Duration: Approximately: 7-8 hours on board

Price (Valid till 31.12.2012): 599 Soles per person (not incl. tax)

Minimum number of divers: 2

Book your dive trip (click here)

For more information about Diving and Swimming with sea lions CLICK HERE

 

How to get to Pucusana:

Book your transport with us: 60 Soles per person (not incl. tax) Lima-Pucusana-Lima (including hotel pick-up): Add an extra 3 hours to your diving trip.

Public transport: Take a taxi to a bus station for overland busses. Catch a bus going south ( to Paracas). Ask the bus driver to let you off the bus at the Panamerican Highway exit to Pucusana. At the exit grab a taxi, a moto-taxi or a mini-bus to Pucusana. On your way back you will have to wait at the roadside of the Panamerican Highway and stop a bus going to Lima. You may be able to make your way to Lima and back for as low as 30-40 Soles per person if you negotiate well, but there are risks involved (especially when travelling back at night): Add an extra 3-5 hours to your dive trip.

Rent a car: Calculate 150-210 Soles per day + motorway fees and gasoline: Add an extra 3 hours to your diving trip.

Hire a car with driver: Calculate minimum 240 Soles + additional cost if you are staying more than the agreed number of hours: Add an extra 3 hours to your diving trip.

 

 

Related links:

 

Nature Adventures: Whale and dolphin watching - Birding – Scuba diving - Diving and swimming with sea lions - Sea kayaking - Sailing

Stay in touch: Follow Nature Expeditions on Twitter - Nature Expeditions Facebook Page - Be a Facebook-friend of Stefan Austermühle, Manager of Nature Expeditions

Help protect nature in Peru: Be a dolphin conservation volunteer - Kayak based marine research - NGO Mundo Azul on Facebook - Facebook Page: Volunteering in Peru

Take part in nature exploration: Become an expedition member of Mundo Azul in Peru

Join, share, protect on Facebook: Pelagic birding - Birding Peru - Kayaking Peru - Whale and dolphin watching