El Frances - Juan Fernandez Islands
El Frances delivers exactly what you expect from a Juan Fernandez kelp dive. Dropping in, you're immediately surrounded by these towering fronds, swaying with a gentle rhythm, creating a dynamic, almost ethereal backdrop. It’s a good spot for spotting the endemic Juan Fernandez lobster tucked into rocky crevices, and we’ve often had fur seals zip through the greenery, playful and curious. Depths here range from 5 to 25 meters, making it an excellent intermediate dive where you can truly immerse yourself in the kelp forest environment.
- Location
- Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile, South America
- Coordinates
- -33.640000, -78.830000
- Maximum Depth
- 5-25m
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
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
- Bahia Cumberland - 8-20m
- Wreck of SMS Dresden (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to El Frances
- 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 El Frances
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