Naylamp Diving

Lima & Palomino Islands, Peru

The team at Naylamp Diving are the real deal if you’re looking to dive the Palomino Islands from Lima. They’re a well-established PADI 5-Star shop, and you can feel that steady hand from the moment you meet them. What we really appreciate is their focus on the local environment. Many of their guides are marine biologists, and it really shows in the briefings – you’re not just told what you might see, but *why* it’s there, what it’s doing. This is the place for those who want a bit more than just dropping in the water. We love that they make the journey part of the experience, heading out from Callao, past the old fishing boats and into the Humboldt Current’s cool embrace. You’ll be in wetsuits, for sure; the water here averages around 16-20°C. Our favourite dives are around the outermost islands, where the sea lions congregate. The noise is incredible, a cacophony of barks and splashes even before you get in. Once submerged, though, it’s a playful chaos. These aren’t shy animals; they zip past, tug at fins, and honestly, it’s hard not to grin through your regulator. Visibility can be a bit variable, often 5-10 metres, but when you’re surrounded by dozens of curious sea lions, you don’t really notice anything else. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light is often better, and the sea lions seem more active before the day gets too busy.