Cavancha is Iquique's most popular city beach: a long curve of pale sand backed by a palm-lined promenade, with calm water and lifeguards through the busy months. It is genuinely good for swimming and bodyboarding, and the broad walkway behind the beach fills with joggers, skaters and food carts in the evenings.
The southern end runs into the rocky headland of Punta Cavancha, where there are tidal pools and a small park. The atmosphere is family-oriented and Chilean rather than international, with cevicherias along the back of the beach. For paragliding, this is also where many tandem flights touch down after launching from Cerro Dragón.