Juan Fernández Islands vs Islas Palomino — Dive Destination Comparison
Juan Fernández Islands (Chile) scores 54.3/100 vs Islas Palomino's 52.6/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Juan Fernández Islands for reef diving with 15–30m visibility. Choose Islas Palomino for reef diving at ~$90/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Juan Fernández Islands | Islas Palomino |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 54.3/100 | 52.6/100 |
| Country | Chile | Peru |
| Visibility | 15--30m | 5--12m |
| Water temp | 13--20 C | 14--22 C |
| Max depth | 35m | 18m |
| Current | moderate | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $180 | $90 |
| Budget tier | luxury | mid range |
| Best months | November, December, January | December, January, February |
| Dive types | reef, wall, cave | reef, wildlife encounter |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | Juan Fernández fur seal, Juan Fernández lobster, endemic reef fish | South American sea lion, Humboldt penguin, pelican |
| Google rating | 4.7 (28 reviews) | 4.4 (280 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Juan Fernández Islands when...
- + Divers who prioritize reef diving
- + Anyone visiting South America for the first time
- + Groups seeking 10+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $180/dive
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 13°C
Choose Islas Palomino when...
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
- + Anyone visiting South America for the first time
- + Groups seeking 5+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 14°C
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Juan Fernández Islands wins on overall score (54.3 vs 52.6), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Islas Palomino is more affordable ($90 vs $180/dive). Juan Fernández Islands has better peak visibility (30m vs 12m).