Fishing in Antofagasta

The Atacama Desert meets the Pacific along Antofagasta's coastline, making this one of the driest and most geologically stark stretches of northern Chile.

It's not the trout-and-salmon country most people associate with Chilean fishing — that's far to the south. What Antofagasta offers is saltwater, and the fishing here is shaped entirely by the cold Humboldt Current pushing up from the south.

The main action is offshore and inshore along the coast. Rada de Antofagasta and Caleta Vieja are the two spots that show up consistently for anglers working these waters.

Species like sierra, bonito, tuna, and sea bass are what people are targeting — the same mix that runs along the northern Chilean coast generally. Charter boats operate out of Antofagasta Bay, with crews who know the local grounds.

The 36-foot sport fisherman working Antofagasta Bay has drawn repeat visitors, which says something about the consistency of the fishing.

The Río Loa, which marks the boundary between the Tarapacá and Antofagasta regions to the north, is one of the few freshwater references in this part of Chile, though the interior of the region is dominated by high-altitude desert, salt flats, and quebradas rather than fishable rivers.

A recreational fishing license is required anywhere in Chile, whether you're fishing saltwater or fresh.

SERNAPESCA issues them — licenses are personal, non-transferable, and can be purchased online through SERNAPESCA's Recreational Fishing Portal or at their offices. You can carry it digitally.

Check SERNAPESCA directly for current rules, since bag limits and seasonal closures are updated regularly. Antofagasta won't suit someone chasing Patagonian trout.

But if you're in the north and want a day on the water with a knowledgeable local crew, the bay fishing is real and the Humboldt keeps the water productive year-round.