Diving in Isla de las Gallinas

A blend of skill and nature beneath the water of Lake Nahuel Huapi while exploring its nooks and crannies and putting our strength to the test. The meeting point is the Bariloche diving operations center.

Keen divers, we headed to the center to try out the equipment, watch videos and learn all about the awesome experiences of pros and amateurs alike. Later, we went to the coast where our instructors prepared the gear before setting off towards Isla de las Gallinas (Island of Hens), two kilometers from the shore.

It only took 30 minutes to reach a rock wall where we moored the boat. Sheltered from the wind, the area allows diving even when the lake is rough.

Our instructors calmly explained the basic rules for the proper use of diving tanks. The temperature was about 10 degrees, the visibility 22 meters and, thanks to the transparency of the water, we marvelled at the combination of land and underwater scenery.

Just before the dive, legends and imaginary tales about the lake fuelled our imagination and led us to believe we might come across a mythological creature in the deep, without forgetting the more real trout or salmon which might accompany us on this amazing adventure.

“This is high altitude diving, as we are in a mountainous area and Lake Nahuel Huapi is 765 meters AMSL. Charts are modified, 10% is added to each depth to increase the safety margin. This means a 30 meter dive is planned as a 33 meter dive,’ Juan explained.

We first went along a shallow sandy beach and then descended along a rock wall which reaches a depth of 30 meters, accessed only by extremely experienced divers.

Our wet suits and flippers helped us swim down about 15 meters, where we were surprised to see a cable car similar to the one in the ski resort. It was a really amusing, unexpected moment, recorded on special underwater cameras.

Farther ahead we came upon a wood carving of Neptune, god of the sea. The towering figure is over 3 metres high and despite weighing more than 2 tons, an extra 300 kilos had to be added to anchor it.

Each and every movement was slow and careful, according to the instructions we had been given. We made a stop in this incredible underwater park to enjoy the sunrays filtering through the undulating water, creating spectacular light effects.

We surfaced to take a break on the island where, after a walk, we happily shared lunch at a spot only accessed by divers, off the tourist circuit.

We later learned about another very interesting dive in Isla Victoria, at a site known as the San Miguel Shipwreck. A sunken ship can be visited both outside and inside although only by advanced divers.

During our second dive we did not go down so deep, but swam along the perch channel close to Neptune. We left the water to take a rest and adapt to the different surface while enjoying the reflection of the mountains on the lake, delighted to have fulfilled our wish to dive in the Nahuel Huapi.