Carbón - Lima & Palomino Islands

Five Mile Bay is one of those easy-access spots that’s just, well, easy. You’ve got decent parking, toilets, and a grassy area to spread out your gear, all making for a fuss-free start. The entry is a gentle wade across 50 metres of sand before the slope drops away, bottoming out around 10 metres for most recreational divers. Visibility averages 12 metres, often a bit clearer over the sandy flats, though you can stir up some silt at the deeper edges. We’ve spotted little black cormorants often, even a rainbow trout once, which was a surprise, plus the usual assortment of small reef dwellers. It’s a good choice for newer divers or anyone looking for a relaxed bimble, especially on a calm easterly day when the chop stays away.

Location
Lima & Palomino Islands, Peru, South America
Coordinates
-12.454500, -76.785500
Type
wall
Maximum Depth
6-30m

Marine Protected Area: Sistema de Islas, Islotes y Puntas Guaneras

Best Time to Dive in Lima & Palomino Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Lima & Palomino Islands occur in January, averaging 22.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 22.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 22.5°C (air: 19.9°C)
  • February: 22.5°C (air: 20.7°C)
  • March: 22.5°C (air: 20.8°C)
  • April: 22.5°C (air: 19.6°C)
  • May: 22.5°C (air: 17.7°C)
  • June: 22.5°C (air: 16.8°C)
  • July: 22.5°C (air: 16.1°C)
  • August: 22.5°C (air: 15.7°C)
  • September: 22.5°C (air: 15.4°C)
  • October: 22.5°C (air: 15.6°C)
  • November: 22.5°C (air: 16.8°C)
  • December: 22.5°C (air: 18.0°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Lima & Palomino Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Carbón

Marine Life in Lima & Palomino Islands

Home to 40 recorded species including 28 reef fish, 3 whales & dolphins, 3 other, 3 sharks & rays, 1 clams & mussels, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Carbón

Based on average water temperature of 22.5°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 23°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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical depths for diving at the El Cabrón dive site?
The typical depths for diving at Carbón (El Cabrón) range from a minimum of 6 meters to a maximum of 14 meters, with a stated maximum operational depth of 13 meters. This makes it suitable for a wide range of dive plans and certification levels at this Peruvian dive site.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at El Cabrón?
Divers at Carbón (El Cabrón) can explore a fascinating underwater wall feature with a sandy bottom. You can expect to encounter diverse marine life, including sea squirts, sea hares, crabs, and vibrant schools of fish at this dive site.
How challenging are the dives at El Cabrón, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Carbón (El Cabrón) is considered ideal for any level of diver, making it suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike. While the site is generally accessible for all types of certification, it is categorized with an intermediate difficulty, suggesting some aspects might require basic proficiency.
What is the best time of year or day to dive at El Cabrón for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
While night dives are possible at Carbón (El Cabrón), the provided data does not specify a best time of year for optimal conditions or marine encounters. For the most current information on when to dive, we recommend checking local conditions closer to your planned visit to this site.
What scuba diving certifications are required or recommended to dive at El Cabrón, especially for exploring its caves?
Carbón (El Cabrón) is suitable for divers of all certification types, making it accessible for a wide range of experience levels. The provided data does not indicate the presence of caves at this dive site, so no specific cave diving certifications are mentioned as required.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at the El Cabrón dive site?
Divers at Carbón (El Cabrón) can enjoy very calm conditions as the area has no currents, making for a relaxed diving experience. The average visibility at this Peruvian dive site is typically around 4 meters.