Peru’s Pacific coast offers a distinctive diving profile: nutrient-rich waters, dramatic seasonal upwelling and a mix of temperate and tropical species that reward curious divers. Shallow reefs near the north host colorful fish, octopus and nudibranchs, while southern kelp beds and rocky reefs shelter seafloor life and playful sea lions. Visibility varies with season—clearer in late summer after plankton cycles—and currents can make drift dives exhilarating, so plan for varied conditions.
Most diving is by boat or shore from small coastal towns, with occasional liveaboard options for offshore islands and deeper sites. Wrecks, walls and kelp forests offer diverse dive styles: exploratory wreck penetration for experienced teams, wall drifts for strong swimmers, and calmer shore entries for training and macro photography. Regional highlights include the biodiverse north and the dramatic southern kelp ecosystems; combine diving with cultural stops for a rich Peruvian adventure.
Peru's coastal reefs and rocky outcrops host a mix of tropical and temperate species. Common reef fish include angelfish, wrasses, damselfish and sergeant majors near northern sites, while kelp beds farther south hold rockfish and clingfish. Visibility and species mix vary with upwelling and season.
Seasonally, divers may spot scalloped hammerheads and other sharks—more likely around offshore seamounts and in the warm season—green and olive ridley turtles at nesting times, and manta rays or mobulas near plankton blooms; encounters depend on location, currents and time of year.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 7
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 7000
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 120
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3000
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 9
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 350
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 50
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 30
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 20
