Antofagasta

Antofagasta, one of the best dive sites in Chile also is a tiny port town in northern Chile, may not seem like an obvious first pick for a vacation, but it offers some hidden underwater delights. If you enjoy colder seas and the potential to observe whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other animals, Antofagasta may be the place for you. The ideal time to dive is early in the morning to avoid plankton blooms, and most dive sites are near the coast because the drop-off is rather steep.

Antofagasta diving sites: There are about 17 diving sites near Antofagasta's shore. Begin with the Maria Elizabeth Shipwreck, a tiny artificial reef teeming with color and water life. The Anemone Wall is a 45-minute dive to a 70-foot wall populated by sea lions and the occasional gill shark. For those wanting a more difficult dive, the intriguingly called Cauldron of Death is only for experienced divers.