El Frances
Protected Area
El Palillo
Why dive here
El Frances is a dive where divers can encounter humpback whales, octopuses and sperm whales. Water ranges 15-20°C, warmest February, March, April.
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.
Typical El Frances Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Cold water this month (avg 15°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for El Frances
El Frances Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for El Frances, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-33.62, -78.85) (1km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
15°C
59°F · Range: 13.8–16.1°C
Air Temperature
11°C
51°F
Wind Speed
9.15 m/s
17.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1023.1 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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