DON JAVO (POSSIBLY) - Mancora & North Coast

Don Javo, off Peru’s northern coast, isn't your typical Caribbean wreck dive. Forget pristine, purpose-sunk ships. This is a working fishing vessel, capsized with a full hold of fish in 1982, and it feels like it. It’s sitting upright in 45m, a bit of a deep one, so save this for when you’re comfortable with your deco obligations. The visibility here can be… Peruvian. Think 10-15m on a good day, but that just adds to the atmosphere as the outline of the stern slowly emerges from the murk. We love the raw, untamed feel of it. The fishing nets are still there, draped over the structure, now heavily encrusted and providing shelter for a surprising amount of life. We've seen big schools of jacks circling the mast, and the deckhouse is usually home to some hefty groupers. Exploring the hold is tricky, but rewarding if you’re comfortable with overhead environments and have excellent buoyancy. The ambient light filtering through the fish hatches gives it an eerie glow. This site is for experienced wreck divers who appreciate a wreck with a story and don't mind a bit of a challenge.

Location: Mancora & North Coast, Peru, South America
Coordinates: -4.896667, -81.298330
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 45m

Best Time to Dive in Mancora & North Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Mancora & North Coast occur in January, averaging 23.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 23.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 23.9°C (air: 25.7°C)
February: 23.9°C (air: 26.8°C)
March: 23.9°C (air: 26.9°C)
April: 23.9°C (air: 26.2°C)
May: 23.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
June: 23.9°C (air: 23.2°C)
July: 23.9°C (air: 22.4°C)
August: 23.9°C (air: 21.9°C)
September: 23.9°C (air: 21.8°C)
October: 23.9°C (air: 22.3°C)
November: 23.9°C (air: 21.8°C)
December: 23.9°C (air: 24.0°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to DON JAVO (POSSIBLY)

Chelonia Dive Center - ["PADI"]
Spondylus DC Mancora - ["PADI"]

Marine Life in Mancora & North Coast

Home to 77 recorded species including 70 reef fish, 3 whales & dolphins, 3 sharks & rays, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Mulet (Mugil curema) - Reef Fish
Pompano (Trachinotus paitensis) - Reef Fish
Flat Needlefish (Ablennes hians) - Reef Fish
Rounded batfish (Zalieutes elater) - Reef Fish
Atlantic Bumper (Chloroscombrus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Thread herring (Opisthonema libertate) - Reef Fish
Common yellowtail croaker (Umbrina xanti) - Reef Fish
Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) - Reef Fish
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Blue bobo (Polydactylus approximans) - Reef Fish
Lumptail searobin (Prionotus stephanophrys) - Reef Fish
Roughbar Frogfish (Fowlerichthys avalonis) - Reef Fish
Daisy midshipman (Porichthys margaritatus) - Reef Fish
Puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus) - Reef Fish
Atlantic Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) - Reef Fish
Springer (Mugil cephalus) - Reef Fish
Shortjaw Leatherjack (Oligoplites refulgens) - Reef Fish
Burrito Grunt (Anisotremus interruptus) - Reef Fish
Bonefish (Albula vulpes) - Reef Fish
Jack (Caranx hippos) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for DON JAVO (POSSIBLY)

Based on average water temperature of 23.9°C.

Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 24°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