Summary
Golfo San Jorge is one of the most interesting diving areas in northern Patagonia, especially due to its large number of shipwrecks. It extends between Comodoro Rivadavia and Caleta Olivia, offering a mix of wrecks, reefs, and kelp forests in cold waters but with good visibility most of the year.
Unlike Puerto Madryn, diving here is more oriented towards shipwrecks and rocky bottoms with high benthic biodiversity. The area is frequented by local divers and some operators who run regular trips.
When to go
Diving in Golfo San Jorge is possible year-round, although the best conditions usually occur between March and November.
- Summer (Dec–Feb): slightly warmer water, but higher plankton concentration and lower visibility.
- Autumn and Winter (Mar–Aug): best visibility and lower swell. Ideal for shipwreck diving.
- Spring (Sep–Nov): good balance between temperature and visibility.
What suit to wear
Cold Patagonian water. Recommended:
- Summer: 7mm semi-dry suit or drysuit.
- Winter: drysuit recommended.
- Ballast: higher than in warm waters due to the thickness of the neoprene.
What you will see
- Shipwrecks: large number of wrecks from the fishing fleet (trawlers and shrimpers). Many are located between 12 and 30 meters deep. Some allow limited penetration. Note: the exact names and positions of the most relevant wrecks are usually shared by local divers.
- Reefs and kelp forests: rocky bottoms with seaweed, sea urchins, starfish, nudibranchs, and Patagonian coastal fish.
- Fauna: southern sea lions (year-round) and Magellanic penguins (Oct–Apr).
How to get there
- Comodoro Rivadavia: General Enrique Mosconi Airport (CRD) with daily flights from Buenos Aires.
- Caleta Olivia: 80 km north of Comodoro via RN 3.
Most dive trips depart from the port of Comodoro Rivadavia or Rada Tilly.
Operators
Currently, there is limited commercial availability compared to Madryn. Organized activity is mainly run by local operators and institutions:
- Club de Buceo Neptuno (Rada Tilly). Contact for organized activities.
- Independent operators from Comodoro Rivadavia.
It is recommended to contact them in advance since there are not always scheduled departures for tourists.
Regulations
The activity is regulated by the Prefectura Naval Argentina. Some areas of the gulf have restrictions due to the presence of oil platforms.
Sources
- Chubut Patagonia — Government of Chubut (Patagonian destination info)
- Club de Buceo Neptuno — Rada Tilly (local active operator in the area)
- Prefectura Naval Argentina – Comodoro Rivadavia District (rules and regulations)
Note: This destination is under development. If you dived in Golfo San Jorge, add your experience to the community forum.