Antofagasta

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Antofagasta, Chile

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23°38.5′S, 070°24.0′W
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Local chartlet
Streetscapeanto.jpg Plaza Colon, Antofagasta - click for larger view

Antofagasta is one of the old 'Nitrate Ports' situated in territory aquired by Chile during the 1879-1883 'War of the Pacific'. Up until the 1940's it was a major exporter of nitrates, now its wealth comes from the extensive copper mines in the hinterland. With a population of over 300,000 it has the highest GDP of any area in Chile.

Local Weather

Situated on the edge of the Atacama Desert Antofagasta is in one of the driest regions on earth. Average annual rainfall is 4mm and locals say it has not rained for 12 years. Land and sea breezes prevail throughout the year and this keeps the temperature between 5 and 27 degrees.

The South East Pacific High lies well offshore to the southwest of the port and combined with the Atacama Desert this has a major effect on the weather.

Typically the day starts of calm or with a light easterly. About midday the seabreeze gets away and blows out of the south at up to and sometimes more than 20 knots for the afternoon, giving way to calm in the late evening.

If there is a light southerly blowing when the sun comes up there is a good chance there is going to be a stronger than normal afternoon breeze.

Charts

OpenCPN plan of the harbour showing approximate track - click for larger view
Pozo de Salitre - click for larger view
The entrance - click for larger view
The marina - click for larger view

There are no large scale charts of this harbour.

Radio Nets

The Patagonian Net on 8164 USB may , at times, be heard from Antofagasta.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Approach and Navigation

While the approach is straightforward yachts should keep well offshore until abeam the entrance as there are unmarked dangers inshore and the sea can break unexpectedly. Locals suggest keeping the south west face of the Muelle de Salitre just slightly open on the approach. A rock known as 'The Widow' with less than 2 metres over it is situated in the middle of the entrance and when entering it pays to keep close up to the southern breakwater.

The South America Pilot Vol 3 states "During 'Bravezas' and bad weather the channel to Caleta Poza del Saltire is sometimes impassable due to the heavy swell which rolls over the reefs and breaks completely across the entrance. Strangers should on no account attempt to enter the cove at night. Bad weather is said to occur maybe once a year in late winter.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

One hours notice of arrival should be given to 'Antofagasta Port Radio' , VHF Ch 16 and 14, and they should be contacted again once you have berthed.

If entering from another Chilean port then the Armada can be found at Grecia 1946, about a 20 minute walk south of the marina.

If entering from overseas... a very rare event here.. then you should wait for the Armada and Immigration to come to your yacht. Once that has been done you can go to the Aduana office on the left hand side of the entrance to the commercial port ( almost opposite the Capitania) and request an 'Admission Temporal' for your yacht.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Club de Yates Antofagasta has two pontoons on the starboard hand as you enter... there is also a visitors' mooring midway between these pontoons and the old Nitrate Pier. Call the Club on Ch 16 for assistance in berthing. Typically it is headlines to the pontoon and a line to a club buoy aft. Quite often there is a fair bit of surge and this should be taken into consideration when protecting your lines from chafe and keeping your yacht far enough from the pontoon to stop her 'kissing' it.

Depths alongside the pontoons is variable and caution should be exercised when entering.

There is a hard stand and an 18 tonne Travelift.

Rates in early 2014 were US$20 a day with the first three days free. The price for longer stays is negotiable.

Anchorages

If the port is closed then safe anchorage can be found in the SW corner of Bahia Mejillones,which is a solid daysail further north, or , somewhat closer, in Caleta Constitucion, 23*26'S, 70*23'W.

There is no safe anchorage outside the port.

Yacht Repairs and Services

There are no dedicated yacht chandlers or repair businesses in the town. However in a town of this size there would be a good chance of getting things fixed as it serves a large mining industry. There are at least two large 'Home improvement' centres, Easy and Sodimac.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel
Available from the Shell service station about 5 minutes walk south of the marina.
Propane
US and Australian tanks can be filled at the Lipigas terminal which is some distance north of the city on the road to Mejillones. They may have to be left overnight and the minimum charge, in early 2014, was $CP8000 for 5 kilograms.
Water
Potable water laid on to the pontoons. However as it is produced by a local de-sal plant locals suggest using bottled water for tea and coffee etc.
Electricity
240V laid on to the pontoons at no charge.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Grocery & Supply Stores

There are three supermercados close to the port, Lider,Tottus, and Jumbo. There is a fishmarket on the north side of Pozo Salitre

Eateries

There are numerous restaurants in the town to suit all budgets.

Internet/WiFi

Free yacht club wi-fi. A number of internet cafes in the town.

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Garbage facilities exist within the marina.

Transportation

Regular high quality bus links to Arica, Santiago and all points in between. About 24 flights a day to Santiago via LAN, PAL, and SKY.

Routes/Passages To/From

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

References & Publications

See [Chile#References_.26_Publications|Chile].

Personal Notes

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

  • February 2014 --Frank, Westerly Serenade


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: [[User:Frank|Frank Holden]


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