Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Antofagasta Province

The dive can be bad, depending on visibility. Seek to go out of the bay or hug the shore. The area is quite populated with giant manta rays. You don't hear of dangerous encounters, but you are sure to find one. From Antofagasta, drive to Juan Lopez. Go to the end of the main road and you will arrive at a small cove called Acapulco. Acapulco Beach is also known as Juan López Beach, Playa Acapulco.

This dive is a difficult one in that there are strong surges and not really a current. They bring a lot of food around and provides divers a unique opportunity to see schools of "Hacha" fish, similar to the juvenile angelfish in the caribean, except these are about 30 cm diameter. The bottom has bizarre monoliths like the Portada itself and one can get easily lost. You enter at about 70 Ft and go towards the Portada. Just be cautious of the currents. Don't take cameras, they will get banged up pretty badly. Common visitors are penguins (local name "boys of the sea"). By boat. You can hire a boat from the Antofagasta market area. The fishermen will be glad to take you.

Cargo sunk 13th jan 1965. The ship was loaded with butane gas when caught fire during disembarking maneuvres of a large gas container when a leak developed. Finally the container explode along with other still in the ship`s deck. The crew was still on board al this moment. Many of them dead aboard and the only mens saved where those whom fell to the water, a few. A great tragedy in the history of Antofagasta. Take a boat at Culb de Yates Antofagasta Marina, downtown Antofagasta. Sail south west aprox 1 mile María Elizabeth Wreck is also known as Naufragio Maria Elizabeth.