Most people probably wouldn’t think of Uruguay when thinking of fabulous beach destinations, but there is a place in Uruguay that will truly take your breath away. If you are a diver, then you will find this destination even more appealing because it has wondrous sites to behold beneath the waves as well as above. This is Punta del Este on the southern shore of Uruguay and it is Uruguay’s best kept secret.
There are a number of dive sites in Punta del Este. The first of these is Gorriti Island, a beautiful oasis with an interesting history. Besides the many famous explorers, such as Sir Francis Drake, Charles Darwin, and Magellan, who have set foot on the island, it is the site of a very large and old cemetery. The island was also used as a quarantine hospital in the late 1800s when the European cholera epidemic made thousands of people sick. Today this island is a paradise and this is especially true for divers. Diving in the waters of Gorriti Island offers divers incredible cave diving.
Other dive sites in Punta del Este include Minas and Maldonado Bay. Minas is the place where divers can explore a submerged goldmine. In Maldonado Bay, divers can explore ship wrecks such as the wreck of Lord Nelson’s favorite ship, the HMS Agamemnon. This incredible 64-gun Navy vessel sank slowly into the bay in 1809. It is now a powerful underwater reminder of the grandeur of the ship in its sailing days and is just waiting to be explored.
Another fantastic diving location in Punta del Este is Isla de Lobos. This is the primary dive site of Uruguay and it is here that divers come to view old wrecks and see the sea lions that live on the island. There are numerous ship wrecks that have found their way to the bottom of the sea here because this is an area that commonly experiences sudden and high southwest winds and fog banks.
Isla de Lobos, which means Wolf’s Island, is surrounded by strong currents and there are many sharp rocks to navigate, making this a dive site for more experienced divers. However, those who make their way down beneath the waves are in for an exciting adventure. The sea lions, or sea wolves (for which the island is named), are fun to dive with and they are very playful. When diving with them it is important to listen to your guide and let them come to you. When they do, you will certainly be in for a treat.
Punta del Este is a southern paradise in South America. This is a genuinely secret getaway that is only just becoming popular with American and European tourists. Divers can explore pristine sites and enjoy relative seclusion when diving. This means relaxed dives, time to spare, and the underwater sights and sounds all to yourself. Punta del Este is a little piece of diving heaven.