Palomino Islands

Not far from the coast of Lima lie the Palomino Islands. They are known for the large colony of sea lions that you can swim with. Diving is also permitted. There are some wall and reef dives you can do, but don’t come with high expectations. If you’re used to tropical water diving, the coral reefs you’ll see here will disappoint. Fish life is pretty diverse, though, and the underwater visibility is decent.

Piura

Some say Piura, located in the northwestern part of the country, is the best place for scuba diving in Peru. You get reefs, fish life, and an abandoned oil platform that’s probably the most popular of all dive sites here. You can spot sea lions, octopuses, water spiders, crustaceans, anemones, and much more.

Caleta El Ñuro

This small fishing village situated in the northwestern part of Peru is known for its pristine waters. The highlight of visiting this area is definitely the opportunity to get up-close to sea turtles. You’ll also be amazed by the abundance of schooling fish.

Pucusuna

If you’re into kelp diving, head south to the district of Pucusana. Along with the photogenic and eerie kelp forests, you can dive along walls, huge boulders, and may even come across sea lions. There’s also the option of doing some wreck diving if you take a boat to the nearby Chincha Islands.