Cruises to Atacama Desert (Antofagasta), Chile

Piedras Rojas, Cerro Caichinque mirrored in the lake and Vulcano Miniques in background. Atacama, Chile.

Desert Adventures. Stargazing Magic.

The contrasting landscapes surrounding Antofagasta offer seemingly endless picturesque vistas for you to discover, from the dramatically steep cliffs and warm sandy beaches lining the South Pacific Ocean to the otherworldly terrain of the Atacama Desert expanding to its east. Explore Antofagasta’s well-manicured squares and museums and discover a new favorite dish at a local restaurant or journey into the surrounding landscapes on a wide range of outdoor adventures, from surfing and hiking to sandboarding and exploring archeological sites. Brush off your camera skills and get ready to capture the many picture-perfect attributes of the Atacama Desert.

Exciting Shore Excursions

Immerse yourself in authentic experiences with our Shore Excursions, expertly guided by locals.

Snapshots of Atacama Desert (Antofagasta)

A visual preview of the amazing sites that await you.

Andes with Licancabur volcano.

Portada (Arch) Rock Formation, Chilean Coastline, La Portada National Reserve, Antofagasta, Chile

View the famous natural arch, La Portada.

A young vicuna in the middle of the Atacama Desert in Chile looks curiously at the camera.

Encounter vicuña and other local wildlife.

Atacama desert, volcanoes, Lake Lejia and arid landscape in Northern Chile, South America

The Atacama Desert is the world’s driest desert.

view of downtown city of Antofagasta in northern Chile

Discover the best of Antofagasta on a guided tour.

Travel Tips & Interesting Info

Uncover Hidden Gems & Fun Facts

Famous For

The city is nicknamed the “Pearl of the North of Chile” and is known for its scenic coastline and access to the spectacular Atacama Desert.

PERUVIAN CEVICHE SEBICHE. Peruvian seafood and fish sebiche with maize.

Exquisite Flavors

Be sure to try the ceviche, bursting with fresh seafood flavors, and empanadas filled with locally mined sea salt.

Fun Facts

Truly feel a world away while exploring the Atacama Desert — the world’s driest desert. From lunar rock formations and salt flats to steaming volcanoes, high-altitude geysers and more, this is an outdoor adventure paradise like no other.

Port Name & Location

Atacama Desert (Antofagasta), Chile

Language

Spanish To ask how much something cost, say, ¿Cuánto cuesta…?" "Por favour" means please whilst "gracias" is thank you and "much gusto" means nice to meet you.

Time Zone

Chile Daylight Time Zone

Currency & Shopping

Chilean Peso Stroll down the vibrant pedestrian-only street Avenida Arturo Prat and browse the many shops and choose from a variety of restaurants for a delicious lunch.

Featured Atacama Desert (Antofagasta) Itineraries

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Observation Lounge couple strolling-Alaska.

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If you're reading this article, then most likely your cruise vacation date with Norwegian is quickly sailing your way! Embarkation day is very exciting and involves a lot of moving parts as guests check in and board, luggage is delivered to staterooms, and you get settled in and explore the ship. One of the many great things about sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line is that they have worked hard to ensure that the embarkation process goes as smoothly as possible.

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Discover Atacama Desert (Antofagasta), Chile