Peru is still relatively new on the diving map, but it is growing in popularity as a destination because there are just so many fantastic sites to explore. Divers who enjoy sea life and sites filled with incredible displays of nature are sure to find Peru a fantastic place to dive. Of particular interest and what attracts many divers to Peru are the sea lions and the incredible kelp forests that rest beneath the ocean’s surface.
Peru’s famous kelp forest, located just south of the city of Lima, in Pucusana, is well worth the visit. In general, kelp forests are considered very important ecosystems that offer a unique habitat to marine animals. The kelp is really a type of brown algae that belongs to the taxonomic order Laminariales Phylum Heterokontophyta. In Peru, the kelp forest is an enchanting place to dive, full of mystery and intrigue as divers swim through the 10 m high kelp plants that wave gently back and forth as they are supported by thousands of tiny gas bubbles. This tall kelp forest is the perfect hiding place for many marine animals and divers can play a game of hide and seek in which they are always “IT”.
When divers are done venturing through the kelp forest, they can move on to Islas Palomino, which is one of the best places in the world to swim with the sea lions. These gentle and playful creatures are truly a wonder to behold and swimming with them is one of the greatest wonders in the world of diving. Islas Palomino is the breeding ground for hundreds of sea lions and there are tours that take divers within range so that they can get the full experience.
So what is it really like swimming with the sea lions? In a word – FUN! Sea lions are very social animals that love to play and frolic in the water. When you visit their territory you will be able to slip into the water and get up close and personal with them. It is best to allow the sea lions to approach you, but before you know it you will have hundreds of heads bobbing around you and sea lions darting past at what might seem like lightning speeds.
Divers may have to contend with murky water as the refuse from the sea lions’ meals clouds the water, but that won’t really matter. These playful creatures will generally get up close enough for you to see them well, once they feel safe enough. Of course, the juveniles will be the first to venture forth and meet divers because they are naively curious as any youth is. Yet soon there will be many more joining in. Divers can swim and do tricks in the water and the sea lions will mimic them and the best part is that there is no time restriction on the swim. You can be out there for five or six hours if you want to so be sure to bring extra tanks. It is truly an adventure!
There are those who think that swimming with the sea lions is risky and maybe even dangerous, but there has never been a report of an injury to anyone who has done it in Peru. These are gentle creatures. However, responsible dive operators often take common sense precautions. Diving too near the rocks is out of the question as divers may get smashed against the rocks by the waves. This is also too close to the colony’s breeding grounds and that may not be welcomed by the sea lions. In mating season being too close to the rocks might end up with a diver being attacked by a hormonal male sea lion. When choosing an operator to take you out on a dive, be sure to choose one that will anchor 50-100 m offshore and then when you enter the water, be sure to stay close to the boat. The sea lions will come to you and then the fun will begin.
One thing is for certain. Diving in Peru is an incredible experience and diving with the sea lions and in the kelp forest makes it even better. What other diving experiences do the waters of Peru offer? There is plenty of wall, reef, and cave diving to keep even the most experienced diver busy. Sea life to be seen, in addition to the sea lions, includes jellyfish, moray eels, crabs, frog fish, sea lions, whales, and dolphins. Wreck diving can be had, particularly around the Chincha Islands, and the Humboldt Current passes by with its bounty of fish and sea life. For the really experienced and adventurous diver, expeditions to the high altitude location of Lake Titicaca will offer the utmost in diving challenges.
Peru certainly offers plenty for those divers who want to see what the country has to offer above the waves and the country is a major tourist destination. Tourists delight in Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan ruins, and the Nazca Lines. Lima is also a wonderful city to explore. This is a great setup for divers because by day they can swim with the sea lions and by night they can enjoy dinner and the nightlife that Lima has to offer.
No matter what type of diving is done in Peru, it is important that divers be prepared for cold water diving and a dry suit is required. However, with that cold water comes an abundance of marine life that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world. This is truly a paradise and one that is only beginning to catch on in the diving world. Start planning your next diving adventure to Peru, you’ll be glad you did!