Short Whale Watching Eco Tour

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

1. Collection from your hotel in Punta Arenas at approx 08.00 hours. Transfer to embarkation point approximately 50 km south of the city to board the boat. Navigate across the mythical Straits of Magellan to the Carlos III island. Lunch on board. Arrive at marine park and meet resident marine biologist who will introduce you to the humpback whales that come to feed here. Dinner. Check in to eco camp domes (twin share).
2. After a night listening to the whales singing you can head out at sunrise for exciting views of whales in this isolated and magical place. Today is dedicated to whale watching as you navigate through the Barbara Channel and visit the ice fields of Santa Ines Island, all part of the Marine Park. Albatross and petrels will accompany you throughout the day as you observe humpback whales, sea lions and a wealth of bird species. Lunch on board. Sunset whale watching. Dinner and your second night in the eco camp (twin share). 
3. After a delicious breakfast we will be returning to Punta Arenas, traversing the Straits of Magellan. We will enjoy our last chance to observe whales before leaving the marine park and heading to an area to see the cute burrowing Magellanic Penguins. We then head to Cape Froward, marking the tip of the American continent. Sailing around the cape we will head north to Punta Arenas passing areas of historical significance on the way. After disembarking we will continue to Punta Arenas by road with drop off at your hotel expected around 19.00 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 observing animals in their natural habitat 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.
• It is now possible to join longer boat explorations into the wild and remote Tierra del Fuego, ask us for departure dates and prices. 

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. While we offer scheduled dates from December to March, April and May are ideal months for wildlife viewing and enjoying almost winter-like landscapes with snow-covered mountains and reddish-orange forests that captivate the senses. This is also an excellent time to visit Torres del Paine with quieter trails and autumn colours and whale watching combines very well with a family or multi-sport trip. This year these trips were operating into May and besides humpback whales and waterfowl, families of orcas were observed which was a great surprise for everyone on board.
• 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. Infants between 0 and 3 are free of charge. Children between 4 and 11 receive a 50% discount. Children from 12+ pay the full adult rate. 
• 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. Ask for our policy on delays/cancellations.
• This trip is priced at US$1,850 per person and it runs on set departure dates between December and March: Confirmed departures for late 2025/early 2026: December 18, 21 and 28, 2025, January 9, 12, 15, 23, 26, 2026, February 6, 9, 12, 25, 2026, March 2, 12, 15, 18, 25, 2026, April 10, 2026. We can also offer a new 4-day, 3-night program where you will sail overnight in the  D’Agostini National Park, Kawésqar National Park  in addition to the Francisco Coloane Marine Park. Enjoying the comfort of a new ship, waking up in these southern territories will be an incredible experience. 
• Rates are based on a double/twin room (shared). If you require a double dome/cabin for one person you will pay a single supplement (which can double the price depending on the departure). 
• For this season, departures will be split between two ships.  One of them is completely new, with increased capacity and comfort to offer an even more exclusive and memorable experience for passengers. For the 3-day, 2-night trip outlined here there is capacity for 18 passengers and for the 4-day, 3-night trip, 12 passengers. There is capacity for 10 passengers in the domes and for larger groups there is the possibility of sleeping on board (ask about your specific departure).  
• In addition to the trips mentioned here, there are experiences from 1 to 7 days depending on your available time, your appetite for marine life and your budget.