Scuba diving locations in Chile:

• The best diving on the mainland extends from La Serena to Arica where the seas are warmer. Lobos del mar (sealions) are found along the coast.
• Antofagasta, Santa Maria island.

• At Robinson Crusoe Island, being far away from continental Chile, the sea is not cold, as it is not affected by the Humboldt ocean current.

• Easter Island lies far off the coast of Chile in the Pacific Ocean and is the epitome of a ‘deep blue’ feeling with perfect visibility, sheer drop-offs and no other divers in a radius of over 2000 miles. 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.

When to scuba dive in Chile:

Water temperatures vary from 20°C from January to March down to 15°C from July to September, but currents can drop it further so a good wetsuit or drysuit is recommended. The region is volcanic, and there are occasionally severe earthquakes and tsunamis. For Easter Island, conditions make for easy diving in the winter, but rough waters can limit the choice of dive sites in summer.

Local standards for gear:

The best scuba diving spots in Chile:

• La Caldera, a shore dive off Quintay, has an almost tropical microclimate.

• In the north, Antofagasta, the Cauldron of Death is a combination wall/cave dive for advanced divers only. As a heavy surge occurs every few minutes, the shore entry to the site needs to be timed.

• El Acantilado (The Cliff) on Easter Island, though subject to changing currents, is worth the plunge. Divers can spot a variety of fish including butterfly fish, surgeon fish, toremu (a variety of piranha), parrot fish and tuna.

• La Lobera is an interesting dive site with great marine life, though the average visibility is only about 7m and the max depth 16m. The highlight is the opportunity to see the large colony of seals that reside here.

The best snorkeling spots in Chile:

Pichidangui is known for clean waters and beautiful sights, away from the party-town mentality of some of the beaches.

Fun scuba Facts:

Country data:

Administrative details

• Currency: Peso (CLP)
• Population: is about 17,000,000 (2011)
• Time Zone: CLT or EAST varies by location (GMT-4) to (GMT-6), Summer CLST varies by location (GMT-3) to (GMT-5)
• Main languages spoken: Spanish ## Diveable overseas territories:

Chilean diving federations:

Federation Deportiva Nacional de Deportes Submarinos (FEDESUB) is a member of Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS)

Local diving laws and regulations (and PADI-equivalent certifications):