The arch
A sea gateway.
Adolto Toloza — CC BY-SA 3.0 · G.vera — CC BY-SA 3.0 · P.Zidar/ESO — CC BY 4.0 · Patricio Cornejo Riv… — CC BY-SA 3.0
A huge natural rock arch standing in the sea off the coastal cliffs north of Antofagasta, carved by the waves from pale sedimentary rock into a stone gateway the surf runs through. Its Spanish name means «the gateway»; it is the city's emblem and a protected natural monument since 1990. From the lookout on the cliff edge visitors see the whole arch amid the blue ocean, waves breaking around it in white spray, and seabirds such as gulls, pelicans and cormorants perched on it. The cliff layers themselves hold fossil seashells millions of years old. The lookout has paths, benches and a small restaurant, beside a rocky beach between the cliffs. The view is best in morning light or just before sunset, when the pale rock turns golden. The descent to the beach below the arch is closed or dangerous because of rockfalls, so enjoy it from the lookout. The northern desert sun is very strong even on hazy days, so carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
A sea gateway.
In the cliffs.
On the rock.
Coast north of Antofagasta, about 18 km from the city
The descent to the beach below the arch is closed or dangerous because of rockfalls, so the clifftop lookout is the viewing spot.