DONA AMELIA - Lima & Palomino Islands

Diving the *Dona Amelia* is a real treat off Lima, especially if you’re into local history. This old fishing trawler, built in '69, went down in a thick fog back in '89, coming back to Chancay with its catch. You can still imagine the chaos, even thirty-odd years later. We love how much of the wreck is still intact at 15m; the hull is a solid structure, not just scattered debris. It’s an easy dive, mostly because it’s shallow. We’ve found the best light in the mornings, cutting through the typical Lima haze and really bringing out the rust colours. Inside the wheelhouse, you'll see a thick carpet of anemones and some decent-sized crabs scuttling about. Look for schools of Peruvian silversides flashing through the superstructure. Our favourite part? The stern, where the propeller is still mostly there, acting like a little apartment block for blennies and small scorpionfish. It’s a site that tells a story, perfect for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the atmosphere over big pelagics.

Location
Lima & Palomino Islands, Peru, South America
Coordinates
-11.595167, -77.275500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Marine Protected Area: Ancón

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 DONA AMELIA

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 DONA AMELIA

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