We had heard about Quintay, but for some reason never made there until now. I am so glad we hadn't, because it reminds me that there are still great undiscovered places nearby. It's a little "caleta" (cove or fisherman's wharf) about 45 kilometers south of Valparaiso. The coast line is jagged with steep hills and rocky terrain, therefore, a road following the coast from Valpo is infeasible. We made our way inland towards Casablanca then cut west and descended through pine tree lined switchbacks. So glad I drove and hence avoided carsickness (which oddly is becoming a recent affliction lately). The cove has a gruesome history as the former site of a whaling processing plant that was in use right up until 1967. There's a small museum, and thankfully, the whales are starting to return.
Big Sur-ish
Restaurant El Mirador. Get there around 12:30 to beat the lunch rush, and get a table outside. The food was decent. I've had fresher, more flavorful fish in and around Viña, though. I think they were swamped.
Umm, not sure about the boogie boarding possibilities, kids. Kind of a stretch there!
Probably the busiest weekend the tiny beach sees all year. A beautiful, sunny Saturday in the height of summer. There are a couple more beaches near Quintay with bigger, less dense stretches. I'd like to explore Playa Grande or Tunquén and make a beach day out it.
We will definitely come back and dive. There were a few outfits. COLD, COLD, yet clean, clear water!
Gorgeous. Gorgeous! Gorgeous!!
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