Experience whales and dolphins up close at Chile’s first marine park. Francisco Coloane Marine Park, on the Brunswick Peninsula in southern Patagonia, boasts remarkable biodiversity. Stay in a remote island Eco Camp carefully designed to protect this fragile environment.
Highlights
- Sail through these legendary waters and learn about Magellan
- Sleep in comfy domed eco tents with wood burning stoves
- Visit remote valley glaciers in this biodiverse landscape
- Watch dolphins cruise alongside your boat
- Visit important nesting sites of the Magellanic penguin
- Get up close to an immense breaching humpback whale
- Benefit from observing marine life from small boats with minimal environmental impact
- Learn about the wildlife and the area from the marine biologists who preserve it
- Witness the fascinating antics of large colonies of sea lions
Day by day
- Day 1: Collection from your hotel in Punta Arenas at approx 08.00 hours. Transfer to embarkation point to board boat. Navigate to Carlos III island. Lunch on board. Arrive at marine park and meet resident marine biologist. Dinner. Check in to eco camp domes.
- Day 2: Navigate through marine park. Observe humpback whales, sea lions and a wealth of bird species. Lunch on board. Visit remote Glacier Isla Santa Ines. Sunset whale watching. Dinner. Eco Camp.
- Day 3: Navigate to Rupert Island to see Magellanic penguins and other marine birds. Navigate back to Punta Arenas and transfer to your hotel arriving at around 19.30 hours.
Extras
- We can book extra hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas and bus tickets to Puerto Natales on request.
- This trip combines extremely well with a wildlife safari through Torres del Paine and the surrounding areas. Contact us for details.
- If you love wildlife you can tag on a day or overnight trip to the only King Penguin colony outside Antarctica on Tierra del Fuego with a scenic flight (or ferry ride) across the Magellan Straits.
- The operator of this trip is now offering a fantastic 7 day water & land based tour that starts with whale watching and ends with an exploration of the rugged and immense lands of Chilean Tierra del Fuego – confirmed departure 12-18 April 2025. Ask for information.
Is this trip for me?
- For lovers of marine life and wild places this is a fantastic and longstanding marine safari that introduces you to some of southern Patagonia’s unique marine life and sea birds including humpback whales, Peale and Chilean dolphins, sea lions, fur seals, albatross and many more.
- You should be comfortable around water and on small boats and be prepared for the remote location of the area. Be aware that this tour involves some long navigations across open water to reach the area where the whales are present.
- Accommodation is in permanent eco domes with shared bathrooms and wood burning stoves. Domes are twin share and there is 24 hour hot water. The heating in the domes is slow combustion heating.
- The trip is fully supported and guided throughout by expert guides and biologists. It includes round trip transfers from/to Punta Arenas, all excursions, meals on board/at the camp and two nights accommodation.
- The trip is suitable for families. Children under 11 receive a discount of 50%
- You should travel with a flexible attitude and be prepared for possible itinerary changes (or even in extreme weather a complete cancellation) due to adverse weather conditions.
- This trip is priced at US$1,680 per person and it runs on set departure dates between December and March: Confirmed departures for early 2025: February 1, 11 (*4D) & 17, March 7, 15 & 19. April 1. *Note, the 11 February departure is longer with 3 nights in the area and more time to observe whales, prices on request. Ask for details and up to date availability and confirmed trips
- For navigating the straits and observing whales, the main ship is a 15 metre three decked inboard cruiser, allowing comfortable small group navigation and including facilities and equipment for overnight excursions. Its capacity is 16 people and it has a low environmental impact and carbon footprint, its size makes it very manoeverable and reduces the likelihood of a collision with cetaceans. In addition there are various RIB (rigid inflated boats) for speedier and extra maneuverability when whale watching and in logistical operations.