El Ñuro - Mancora & North Coast
El Ñuro is where we go when we absolutely, positively want to see turtles. It’s a shallow spot, maxing out at about 12 meters, and it’s a cleaning station, so the green sea turtles are practically guaranteed to be there. We’ve drifted along, watching them patiently queue up for a scrub, often quite close, without a care in the world. You’ll also spot plenty of jacks, anchovies, and maybe even a spotted snake eel poking out from the sandy patches. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a chill afternoon in the water with some friendly reptiles.
- Location
- Mancora & North Coast, Peru, South America
- Coordinates
- -4.210000, -81.180000
- Maximum Depth
- 3-12m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
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)
Nearby Dive Sites in Mancora & North Coast
- 3-4X3 - 20m (wreck)
- ARRASTRERA DORINE - 50m (wreck)
- AUDAZ - 27m (wreck)
- BEATITA DE HUMAY - 10m (wreck)
- DON JAVO (POSSIBLY) - 45m (wreck)
- DON PANCHO - 27m (wreck)
- FOKA - 5m (wreck)
- GOLONDRINA - 24m (wreck)
- LAZARELLA - 8m (wreck)
- Los Organos Bank - 10-30m (pinnacle)
- SIRENELLA - 7m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to El Ñuro
- 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 El Ñuro
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