La Punta Reef - Lima & Palomino Islands

La Punta Reef, tucked away in the Palomino Islands, often gets overshadowed by the sea lions. That’s a mistake. We love this site for its genuine ruggedness and surprisingly varied life, a real slice of the Humboldt Current experience. Dropping down, you’re met with a rocky landscape, a jumble of boulders and crevices that just begs to be explored. It’s not about flashy colours here, but the sheer volume and unique character of what calls this home. Keep your eyes peeled for those impressive giant octopus, masters of camouflage, tucked into the rocky outcrops. We’ve had some memorable encounters with them, just hovering, watching them shift colour and texture. You’ll spot Jewel morays peeking from their hidey-holes, and schools of Cabinza Grunt and Scad weaving through the rocks. Visibility can be a bit moody, averaging 10-15m on a good day, but that just adds to the atmospheric feel. Our favourite time to dive here is mid-morning, just as the light starts to penetrate the water, highlighting the texture of the reef. It’s an intermediate dive, so comfortable buoyancy control helps navigate the occasional surge and those tight spots where the bigger critters like to hide. This is a site for divers who appreciate the raw, wild side of temperate waters, for those who value discovery over pristine visibility.

Location: Lima & Palomino Islands, Peru, South America
Coordinates: -12.070000, -77.170000
Type: reef
Maximum Depth: 5-18m
Difficulty: Intermediate

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to La Punta Reef

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

Springer (Mugil cephalus) - Reef Fish
Cabinza Grunt (Isacia conceptionis) - Reef Fish
Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) - Reef Fish
Punctuated snake-eel (Ophichthus remiger) - Reef Fish
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Jack Mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) - Reef Fish
Pompano (Trachinotus paitensis) - Reef Fish
Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) - Reef Fish
Mojarra (Eucinostomus currani) - Reef Fish
American Elephantfish (Callorhinchus callorynchus)
Jack (Selene peruviana) - Reef Fish
Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)
Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) - Reef Fish
Red Scorpionfish (Pontinus furcirhinus) - Reef Fish
Smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) - Sharks & Rays
Finescale Triggerfish (Balistes polylepis) - Reef Fish
Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
Scad (Trachurus picturatus) - Reef Fish
Californian Needlefish (Strongylura exilis) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for La Punta Reef

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