Mendoza's water bodies for water sports

This is one of the most beautiful high-mountain places in Mendoza. It is only accessible in summer, and it is recommended to go with high vehicles, preferably 4x4. The lagoon appears before us in a 17-km-diameter hollow at the foot of the Maipo Volcano. Colorful hills from the frontal Andes surround this vast geography formed in the Quaternary.

Swimming is not allowed in the lagoon, as the water is very cold, and the wind often generates waves. Sport fishing is allowed with permission from the Mendoza Environment Secretariat. It is a favorite spot for fly fishermen seeking trout. Fishing can be done from the shore with floating gear or in non-motorized boats.
Photographers can explore the origin of the Diamante River on the southwest shore of the lagoon, where the water takes on a stunning bluish-green, sometimes turquoise, color. This beautiful hue is due to the cyanobacteria or blue algae characteristic of high-Andean lagoons.

Tip: In 2022, Incan architectural structures were discovered south of Maipo Volcano, confirming that the empire extended to these latitudes.

Where: The reserve is located in the Pareditas district, San Carlos department, 198 km from the city of Mendoza. National Route 40 to the intersection with RP98.

This exclusive dam in San Rafael, with a lake over 700 hectares, is beautiful for its shape, carved between the surrounding hills. With turquoise waters and colorful hills, it’s perfect for a nautical weekend.

The reservoir is famous for the turquoise color brought by the Diamante River from the heights, contrasting with the surrounding hills, especially the Sierra Pintada range, which changes colors depending on the sunlight.

The small settlement along the shore, surrounded by pines, looks like a picturesque European village. There are catamarans, kayaks, boats, and diving schools to enjoy all types of water sports. Los Reyunos has a restaurant and a camping area with various sections, a pool by the lake, and barbecue areas.

Tip: The water color is due to algae or cyanobacteria that flow through the Diamante Canyon.

Where: 238 km from Mendoza. Take RN40 and RN143, then RP150. 32 km from San Rafael and 8 km from Villa 25 de Mayo.

San Rafael is a water festival. In addition to the Diamante circuit, there’s the Atuel Canyon, a gravel road connecting the Valle Grande and El Nihuil dams. The 50 km route is a spectacle of geological formations millions of years old.

Valle Grande is the reservoir where the Atuel Canyon ends. This lake has a catamaran for tours, including crossing to the white sand beach on one of its shores. In the middle of the lake, a small rock island looks like a submarine emerging and was recently named ARA San Juan. The surrounding mountain formations allow for activities such as trekking, rappelling, hiking, climbing, ziplining, and safaris. 4x4, quad, or enduro tours are also available.

Tip: Starting from the dam, about twenty minutes of paddling from the dam wall in a canoe or kayak, you can reach the Cochicó Canyon, a paradise with waterfalls among crystalline rocks. It’s recommended to take a guide for the journey.

Where: Valle Grande is located about 30 km south of San Rafael. Take RP173 to the Atuel River Canyon.

The lake of the El Nihuil dam marks the beginning of the Atuel Canyon route. This water mirror offers a range of activities. It’s an excellent spot for windsurfing, kitesurfing, canoeing, kayaking, and water skiing. The rugged, desert-like landscape surrounding it hosts impressive dunes that cover 30,000 hectares and rise up to 200 meters, ideal for sandboarding and 4x4 excursions.

Swimming and beach activities on volcanic sand beaches are permitted. You can also enjoy trekking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Tip: Known as "the Argentine Sahara," the geography surrounding Nihuil has hosted several editions of the Dakar Rally.

Where: 72 km from San Rafael via RN144 and RP180.

Located 29 km from Las Leñas ski resort, Valle Hermoso can be accessed via a gravel road following the river's course westward. After about an hour and a half, you’ll reach El Mirador, where you’ll see a rock outcrop and two lagoons in the valley, crossed by the Cobre and Tordillo rivers. The winding path descends to the first lagoon, where a rest area with a restaurant and domes for overnight stays is located.

Activities include trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, 4x4 excursions, sport fishing for trout, and kayaking. You can also take photos, enjoy the landscape, or have a picnic by the lagoons.

Tip: Crossing the Cobre and Tordillo rivers, after about three hours of horseback riding, you'll reach amazing natural sulfur hot springs. The ride can be booked at the Valle Hermoso rest area. If the rivers are not too full, the journey can be done on foot or in a 4x4 vehicle.

Where: 29 km from Las Leñas Valley and 95 km from Malargüe, take RP222 to reach Valle Hermoso. Season: November to April, depending on the weather.

This dam spans the territories of Luján de Cuyo and Rivadavia. It has multiple beaches and swimming areas distributed around its shores. It is the water mirror with the most developed nautical infrastructure in Mendoza. The Yacht Club and Mendoza Regatas Club are classic spots. It’s one of the best places for sailing, water skiing, boat rides, jet skiing, and sport fishing.

Unlike other water bodies, almost all shores have facilities and marked areas for visitors to cool off safely. Lifeguards and medical services are mandatory at the clubs.

Tip: The classic floating houses, dating back to the 1970s when the dam was inaugurated, can be rented for an overnight stay in the middle of the reservoir.

Where: From Mendoza city or Luján de Cuyo, take RN40 and merge with RP16 at Ugarteche.

Potrerillos Dam is an impressive water mirror surrounded by peaks like Mount Plata and other large hills from the Andes. It’s one of the best spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to its constant winds. It has a nautical club and a kitesurfing rest area, several beaches for camping and picnics, and you can kayak and sail, but motorized boats are not allowed. The river's mouth, just past an old international road tunnel, is a popular spot for rappelling, and activities like ziplining, canoeing, and sport fishing for rainbow trout and perch are also available.
It is one of Mendoza’s most visited places in summer, and there are rest areas to escape the sun and enjoy lunch with stunning views.

Tip: This reservoir is one of the few places in Mendoza where high-altitude diving is practiced.

Where: 60 km from Mendoza city, accessible via Route 7 or Route 82 through Cacheuta.

Measuring only 80 meters in diameter, the lagoon has a unique emerald hue and is fed by underground rivers. Surrounded by the volcanic escorial of El Infiernillo, the shapes of the volcanic rocks reflected in the water have given rise to numerous legends.

Tip: The surrounding hill is a vast cave that sinks into the lagoon's waters. High-altitude divers enter these amazing underwater caves.

Where: Located in Malargüe, on the way to Las Leñas, 500 meters from Route 222.