|
Diving spots in Paracas
Diving spots near Zarate Island:
Zarate Island, because of its shape also called the "Paneton" (Christmas cake), is located south of the Paracas Peninsula, within the Paracas National Reserve.
Diving spots:
Falla del amor
The giant´s game
1.) Falla del amor:
This strange dive site is formed by several geological accidents that form small natural walls (up to 1 meter high) that strech out parallel to each other on the seafloor in north south direction. It got its name because when first dived here, a huge number of nudibranchia was found reproducing. The rocky structures are overgrown with a very dense kelp forest.
Level of difficulty: Easy, recommendable for beginners.
Maximum depth: 8 meters
Species encountered during our dives at this site are:
|
| |
Fish: |
|
|
| |
Family: Balistidae
Finescale Triggerfish |
|
Balistes polylepis
|
| |
Family: Blenniidae
Giant Blenny |
|
|
| |
Family: Cheilodactylidae
Peruvian Morwong |
|
Cheilodactylus variegatus |
| |
Family: Labridae
Chameleon Wrasse |
|
Halichoeres dispilus |
| |
Family: Malacanthidae
Chilean Sandperch
Bighead Tilefish
|
|
Pinguipes chilensis
Caulolatilus affinis
|
| |
Family: Muraenidae
Red Moray |
|
Gymnothorax porphyreus |
| |
Family: Pomacentridae
Pacific Chromis |
|
Chromis crusma |
| |
Family: Scorpaenidae
Pacific Spotted Scorpionfish |
|
Scorpaena plumieri mystes
|
| |
Family: Sparidae
Pacific Porgy |
|
Calanus brachysomus
|
| |
Crustaceans: |
|
|
| |
Family: Cancridae
Hairy Rock Crab |
|
Cancer setosus
|
| |
Family: Rhynchocinetidae
Painted Shrimp |
|
Rinchocynetes typus |
| |
Anemones: |
|
|
| |
|
|
Anthothoe chilensis
Pymanthea pluvia |
| |
Molusks: |
|
|
| |
Family: Chitonidae
Chiton
Chiton
|
|
Chiton cumingsii
Tonicia elegans
|
| |
Family Calyptraeidae
Banded Cup and Saucer Limpet,
Banded Slipper Limpet |
|
Crepipatella dilatata
|
| |
Family Thaididae
Chocolate Rock Shell
|
|
Thais chocolata
|
| |
Brittle Stars: |
|
|
| |
Peruvian Common Brittle Star
|
|
Ophiactis kroeyeri |
| |
Sea stars: |
|
|
| |
Banded Sea Star
Sun Star |
|
Luidiae bellonae
Heliasther helianthus |
2.) The giant's game:
The giant's game is a group of very exposed shallows and rocky outcrops, south of the Island Zarate within the National Reserve of Paracas. The giant rocks create a fascinating and wild underwater labyrinth overgrown by kelp forest and other Macroalgae. In the deeper parts the rocks create cracks and microcaves, being a perfect hiding place for a huge variety of fish and invertebrate species. Closer to the surface the rock is covered by carpets of mussels, anemones and razor sharp giant Pico de loros .
Level of difficulty: Difficult, Wave action can become fairly strong - especially
in the upper part of the shallows. Sometimes there are strong surface currents. Only recommendable for more experienced divers.
Maximum depth: 30 meters.
Species encountered during our dives at this site are:
| |
Fish: |
|
|
| |
Family: Aplodactylidae
Zamba Marblefish
|
|
Aplodactylus punctuatus
|
| |
Family: Blenniidae
Giant Blenny |
|
|
| |
Family: Cheilodactylidae
Peruvian Morwong |
|
Cheilodactylus variegatus |
| |
Family: Haemulidae
Peruvian Grunt
Cabinza Grunt |
|
Anisotremus scapularis
Isacia conceptionis
|
| |
Family: Labridae
Chameleon Wrasse |
|
Halichoeres dispilus |
| |
Family: Malacanthidae
Chilean Sandperch
Pacific Sandperch
|
|
Pinguipes chilensis
Prolatilus jugularis
|
| |
Family: Oplegnatidae
Pacific Beakfish |
|
Oplegnathus insignis
|
| |
Family: Pomacentridae
Pacific Chromis |
|
Chromis crusma |
| |
Family: Sciaenidae
Gungo Drum
Arnillo Drum |
|
Pareques viola
Sciaena fasciata |
| |
Family: Serranidae
Brick Seabass
Peruvian Rock Seabass |
|
Acanthistius pictus
Paralabrax humeralis
|
| |
Crustaceans: |
|
|
| |
Family: Cancridae
Hairy Rock Crab |
|
Cancer setosus
|
| |
Family: Rhynchocinetidae
Painted Shrimp |
|
Rinchocynetes typus |
| |
Molusks: |
|
|
| |
Family: Chitonidae
Chiton
Chiton
|
|
Chiton cumingsii
Tonicia elegans
|
| |
Family Calyptraeidae
Banded Cup and Saucer Limpet,
Banded Slipper Limpet |
|
Crepipatella dilatata
|
| |
Family Thaididae
Chocolate Rock Shell
|
|
Thais chocolata
|
| |
Sea Urchins: |
|
|
| |
|
|
Arbacia spatuligera |
| |
Brittle Stars: |
|
|
| |
Peruvian Common Brittle Star
|
|
Ophiactis kroeyeri |
| |
Sea stars: |
|
|
| |
Banded Sea Star
Sun Star |
|
Luidiae bellonae
Heliasther helianthus |
| |
Anemones: |
|
|
| |
|
|
Anthothoe chilensis
Pymanthea pluvia |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
