Pucusana · Peru · Kelp forest · Reef
El Chuncho
A kelp forest where most Lima divers make their first dives
El Chuncho is the best-known dive site on the Lima coast and the place where most of the region's divers learn. A kelp forest grows over the bottom here, sheltering many species of fish along with crabs and anemones. Divers come for an easy kelp dive in a sheltered bay, and it works for newcomers and experienced divers alike.
Also known as Chuncho.
Where it is and how deep
12.4724° S, 76.7986° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive is spent in the kelp, over a bottom that averages 10 m. The site runs from 8 m in the shallows down to 18 m at its deepest, and it combines a sand bottom, the kelp forest and a rocky reef. The bay is sheltered enough that conditions are almost always good for diving.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Pucusana: January to March has the mildest sea of the year, and December to February is the sunny Lima summer; from April the sea turns cool.
Dive videos
San Bartolo Divers @Pucusana 19/12/17 · SB Divers - Centro de Buceo on YouTube
Pucusana - Lobo Marino Octubre 2019 · SB Divers - Centro de Buceo on YouTube
Sources
- El Chuncho - Pucusana — PADI
- El Chuncho — ScubaGo (SSI)
More dive sites in Pucusana
Wall
A wall dropping from the bay's edge to a rock and sand floor
Similar dives elsewhere
Concrete steps into the first underwater park in the US
Point-to-cove kelp swim from Long Point to Cobble Beach
A 77-metre wall at 18-20 m, off the cove boat ramp
No-take kelp reserve ten minutes from Golden Bay