Ballestas Islands Underwater
Dive site
The Ballestas Islands are famous above the surface for their colonies of Peruvian penguins and Humboldt penguins, but the underwater world beneath their guano-stained cliffs is equally spectacular. Sea lions rocket past at speed, penguins chase anchovetas into tight baitballs, and the cold nutrient-rich upwelling supports a kelp fringe alive with endemic invertebrates. Conditions are cold and visibility is tied to upwelling strength.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 20 m
Open water and up
Current
Often strong
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
4 to 12 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
12 to 21°C
Drysuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Vis (m) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Current | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Peruvian penguin
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
South American sea lion
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Peruvian anchoveta
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Brandt's cormorant
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Field journal
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