Los Organos Bank - Mancora & North Coast

Los Organos Bank is where the Peruvian current meets the equatorial, and you can feel it. It’s a seamount that attracts the big stuff, but make no mistake, this is for advanced divers. The currents here can be fierce, an exhilarating ride one minute, a serious workout the next. We love Los Organos for its sheer unpredictability. One dive, you're hanging onto a rock, watching schools of jacks flash silver against the blue, the next you're drifting past immense barrel sponges, hoping for a manta ray to glide into view. Whale sharks are a seasonal lottery, usually between November and April, and if you hit it right, that's an experience that stays with you. We’ve also had incredible encounters with humpback whales passing through, their songs vibrating through your chest. Visibility can vary, sometimes it’s 20 metres and glorious, other times it’s a murky blue, but the life is always there. Keep an eye out for the odd Chilean Angel Shark tucked into the sand, they’re masters of disguise. This site suits divers who are comfortable in strong currents and are chasing big pelagic encounters. It’s not a coral garden, but the sheer volume of fish and the potential for giants makes it special.

Location: Mancora & North Coast, Peru, South America
Coordinates: -4.180000, -81.160000
Type: pinnacle
Maximum Depth: 10-30m
Difficulty: Advanced

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 Los Organos Bank

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 Los Organos Bank

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