Bahia Cumberland - Juan Fernandez Islands
Bahia Cumberland offers a gentle introduction to diving the Juan Fernandez Islands. Descending into the bay, we often spot common octopus tucked into crevices and the strange, elongated bellowfish drifting by. California yellowtail and schools of jack mackerel zip past, and if you’re lucky, a South Atlantic elephant seal might cruise through the deeper sections, a truly magnificent encounter. Visibility here is usually excellent, making it a comfortable dive for beginners looking to explore a unique ecosystem without strong currents.
- Location
- Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile, South America
- Coordinates
- -33.620000, -78.850000
- Maximum Depth
- 8-20m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: El Palillo
Best Time to Dive in Juan Fernandez Islands
The warmest water temperatures in Juan Fernandez Islands occur in January, averaging 18.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 18.1°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 18.1°C (air: 15.2°C)
- February: 18.1°C (air: 16.1°C)
- March: 18.1°C (air: 15.9°C)
- April: 18.1°C (air: 14.9°C)
- May: 18.1°C (air: 13.3°C)
- June: 18.1°C (air: 12.5°C)
- July: 18.1°C (air: 11.2°C)
- August: 18.1°C (air: 10.5°C)
- September: 18.1°C (air: 10.4°C)
- October: 18.1°C (air: 10.6°C)
- November: 18.1°C (air: 12.0°C)
- December: 18.1°C (air: 13.6°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Juan Fernandez Islands
- El Frances - 5-25m
- Wreck of SMS Dresden (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Bahia Cumberland
- Marenostrum Expediciones - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Juan Fernandez Islands
Home to 24 recorded species including 21 reef fish, 2 whales & dolphins, 1 octopus & squid.
Notable Species
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) - Reef Fish
- Jack Mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) - Reef Fish
- Boa Dragonfish (Stomias boa) - Reef Fish
- pearl-side (Maurolicus muelleri) - Reef Fish
- Blue Antimora (Antimora rostrata) - Reef Fish
- Lanternfish (Diogenichthys atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- South Atlantic Elephant-seal (Mirounga leonina) - Whales & Dolphins
- Bristlemouth (Cyclothone microdon) - Reef Fish
- Viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) - Reef Fish
- Bristlemouth (Cyclothone alba) - Reef Fish
- Day Sarpon (Alepisaurus ferox) - Reef Fish
- Ranger (Pseudocaranx dentex) - Reef Fish
- Mora (Mora moro) - Reef Fish
- Needlenose (Scomberesox saurus) - Reef Fish
- Lightfish (Vinciguerria attenuata) - Reef Fish
- Cabinza Grunt (Isacia conceptionis) - Reef Fish
- Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) - Octopus & Squid
- Boxer Snipe Eel (Nemichthys curvirostris) - Reef Fish
- Bristlemouth (Cyclothone pallida) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Bahia Cumberland
Based on average water temperature of 18.1°C.
- Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 18°C water
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories