Humpback Whale Watching in the Strait of Magellan

Full day trip to the first Marine Park of Chile “Francisco Coloane” in search of the majestic humpback whales

The first Marine Park of Chile “Francisco Coloane” in search of the majestic humpback whales. A close encounter with wild nature, a day of adventure that you will never forget.

A few years ago, a group of Chilean biologists discovered an until then unexplored feeding ground of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on the southernmost tip of South America. Every Patagonian summer, these astonishing marine mammals return to an area around Carlos III Island, which is located right in the legendary Strait of Magellan.

Their passion for science and their love for nature has led to the creation of Chile’s first marine protected area, Francisco Coloane Marine Park.

Turismo Aonikenk/ Hospedaje Magallanes has been one of the main supporters of this project from its beginning in 2004, because we believe in conservation through science and tourism.

04:00 am

Check in at the office in down town.

04:30 am

Boarding. We start the navigation through Magellan strait observing the amazing sunrise by Tierra del Fuego, Fuerte Bulnes, first settlement of Punta Arenas. [B]

06:30 am

Crossing Froward Cape, last point of the American continental territory. We will admire beautiful landscapes, exuberant flora and big hanging glaciers from Darwin range.

09:00 am – 12:00 pm

Navigation across the Marine Park “Francisco Coloane” observing humpback whales, Magellan penguins, sea elephants, sea lions, toninas, austral dolphins, cormorants, albatros and a great diversity of sea birds. [BL] 

16:30 pm 

Return to Punta Arenas. 

Note
All departure times of navigations depend on weather conditions. Changes in the program may occur without prior notice.

Tour Includes

  • Transfers according to the program
  • Bilingual tour guide (Spanish and English speaking)
  • Breakfast, lunch and coffee services
  • Whiskey with millenary ice 

Additional Costs

  • Optional tips to your guide and/ or other people working for you (e.g. the boatmen etc.

Departures

Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday – Sunday

Price

USD 335 per person

What To Bring: Warm clothing and shoes, ideal waterproof!

Although the focus of this half-day tour is on observing Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) and South American Sea Lions (Otaria flavescens), other animals that you may see on this tour include:

  • Cormorant (Phalacrocorax magallanicus)

  • Chilean Skua (Stercorarius chilensis)

  • Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)

  • Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), also called Dominican Gull; very common

… and if you are somewhat lucky:

  • Chilean Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia), also called Black Dolphin, only found off the coast of Chile

  • Commerson’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii)

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