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Get this guy an XXXXL BCD
Chile has a secret. Though most people think of the Andes Mountains when it comes to Chile, this country’s 6,400km of pristine coastline acts as a gateway to some of the best cold-water diving in the world. The Humboldt Current whisks by Chile’s coast, creating plankton-rich waters that offer neon soft corals, towering sponges, tie-dyed starfish, flower corals, snappy crabs, playful sea-lions, historical wrecks and plenty of fish for divers to relish.
Scuba divers embrace the waters off the coast from Puerto Montt in the south to Arica in the north, though the most popular dive spots reach from Arica to La Serena on the north coast where the water is warmer and the fish are more prolific. Visibility ranges from 10-20m and water temperatures from 11-14°C (don’t worry, the air is a lot warmer!)
Many dive sites are shore-entry. Chilean beaches are easily accessible and usually have similar characteristics: a small sandy bay capped at both end by cliffs. The bottom of the sea alternates between sand and large boulders, with a cash crop of seaweed sprouting from the cracks and crevices. Chile’s secret status as a dive haven means that less divers visit these waters, resulting in incredibly healthy and abundant flora and fauna.
The most common places for scuba diving in Chile are:
North Region
The north region is perhaps the most popular area to dive in Chile. Divers of all skills levels will find amazing sites to explore. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that the water is warmer here, too. Some sites include:
The Cauldron of Death – With a name like this, it’s got to be good. This combo wall/cave dive is strictly for advanced divers only. The shore entry to the site needs to be timed since heavy surge occurs every few minutes. Max depth is 35m but average viz is 30m. The cave is fun to explore while the wall provides a natural canvas for an enormous amount of marine growth which, in turn attracts large schools of fish. And when your dive day is done, you can brag to your other dive buddies that you survived the…Cauldron of Death.
Roca Chungungo – This reef/wall dive site has little current and offers something for all levels of scuba divers. Novices can stay and play on the shallow reef while more advanced divers can descend down to the depths, which bottom out at 47m. Average viz is only 15m, but behold what might pop out of the gloom: otters and sea lions frequent this spot, and are known to follow divers around.
Islands of Chile
Offshore, the waters get warmer and the diving gets hotter. There is a rich variety of fish in the clear waters surrounding the islands. Among the many species to be spotted, divers can find moray, vidriola, cod-fish, pampanito, breca and corvine. Juan Fernandez Archipelago boasts several sites, including some surrounding Robinson Crusoe Island (the Chileans are really good at naming dive sites to entice you to visit.)
By far the most famous of the Chilean islands to dive is Easter Island, known for its towering (dormant) volcanoes and enormous, awe-inspiring Maoi stone statutes. At 2,300 miles offshore, this island is a unique retreat resting on an underwater volcanic ridge which supports over 100 species of tropical and pelagic fish and 144 species of algae. There are no coral reefs but several coral species do grow around the island. About 20% of the marine flora and fauna found there is endemic to Easter Island.
Leveraging one of the island’s dive guides is a must: currents can change rapidly and many dive sites are hard to locate. The Island’s better known diving sites include: Jardin, Omohi, Motu Kao Kao, Motu Nui, Motu Iti, El Puente (The Bridge), El Acantilado (The Cliff) and the Anakena and Ovahe beaches.
One dive site typical of the island is the Cathedral. Accessed by boat, this dive site usually has light currents, and consists of an area of kelp upon entry. As the diver descends they encounter numerous rock structures with vast amounts of corals. Divers can spot a variety of fish including the tipi-tipi (butterfly fish), maito (surgeon fish), toremu (a variety of piranha), trompeta (bugle fish), loro (parrot fish) and tuna. Anemones, octopus, sea snails and sea urchins are also plentiful.
Central Coast
The central coast, though cold, hosts an array of nice dive sites spread out over many miles. Quintay, once an important whaling station and now a museum and scientific marine research centre on the central coast, has some nice dive sites with several accessible wrecks from the whaling days. Laguna Verde and Algarrobo are also popular diving areas along the central coast.
El Falucho is a nice wreck dive for less experienced scuba divers. She lies at a depth of around 15 meters. Entry to the site is by boat only, and visibility usually runs about 17m. The light current takes divers along at a pleasant pace, giving them plenty of time to explore the riot of colorful growth and fish that inhabit the nooks of the wreck.
The currents at Lobera de Curaumilla are a bit swifter than El Falucho, making it best for those divers with at least intermediate skills. It is an interesting dive site with great marine life, though the average visibility is only about 7m and the max depth 16m. The highlight of diving here is the opportunity to see the large colony of seals that call this area home.
Though relatively unknown, Latin America has some great diving along both coasts. Pristine reefs and few fellow divers equal one of kind diving opportunities. A few interesting spots to check out:
Gladden Split, Belize-Off the southern coast of Belize, Gladden’s Split is a world-renowned spot for diving with massive whale sharks. This site is the natural spawning ground for a variety of marine species which in turn attract the big guys. Whale sharks come regularly to feed on the fish eggs and other plankton in the water especially during the full moons of April, May and June, though they can also be seen August to October and in December and January. Though some of the dive sites in the north of the country are more well-known, none (except maybe the Blue Hole) are as dramatic and as rewarding.
Spooky Channel, Roatan, Honduras – Spooky Channel is located directly off the end of the Sunnyside pier making shore entry and exit a snap. Those on boats can also access the site, with moorings on both the inside and outside of the reef . There is a maze of zigzags and tunnel like effects leading throughout the reef at depths of up to 95 feet that give the site its name. There is an incredible array of fish on this dive including: blue runner, harlequin bass, cowfish, trunkfish, black durgon, butterfly fish, grouper, angelfish, parrotfish, octopus, lobster, shrimp, spider crab, trunkfish, porcupine fish, turtles, and rays. Upon occasion divers can even see whalesharks when the season is right. Abundant, healthy corals such as flower coral, smooth starlet, ribbon coral, brain coral, sea rod, sea fans, tube sponges, and basket sponges will do their best to steal your attention away from the fish.
Catalina Island, Costa Rica -This island off the west coast of Costa Rica is almost unknown to humans, but well known to rays. Giant Manta Rays, Bat Rays, Mobley, Spotted, Bull’s-eye and Stingrays abound. It is not unusual to see large migratory schools rays passing by during a dive. Sometimes sharks make an appearance too, including tiger sharks and white tips. The best months for diving the Catalina Islands are December through May, high season for Mantas. If you get bored of all of the large pelagics, you can also find frog fish, harlequin clown shrimp and sea horses here.
The Devil’s Throat, Cozumel, Mexico – Located at the Punta Sur dive site in Cozumel, The Devil’s throat is an underwater cave formation that starts at the opening of a dark narrow tunnel at 90 feet and takes you first vertically, then horizontally out through an opening at 130 feet on the wall. Visibility often exceeds 200 feet and the area is frequently visited by eagle rays and turtles, thought the creepy and spectacular cave is the highlight of this dive. Bring a dive light and some really advanced scuba skills for this one – you’ll need it.
Isabela Island, Mexico – Isabela Island National Park is a marine preserve accessed only by boat off the Pacific Coast of San Blas, Mexico. It’s possible to swim with giant Manta rays and hear whale songs underwater on the same dive. On the boat trip out and back, divers frequently sight whales, dolphins, turtles, whalesharks and sailfish. The unique underwater topography includes a giant underwater arch and several small caves to explore. A rainbow of tropical fish, yellowtail, grouper, red snapper, jack caravel, eel, anemones and all manner of corals thrive in this pristine habitat.