Whale Watching – Strait of Magellan
Scheduled departures
Punta Arenas – Carlos III Island
WHY CHOOSE THIS TOUR?
- authentic experience
- feeding humpback whales
- unique safari (sea lions, penguins, …)
TOUR DESCRIPTION
In the Strait of Magellan, located at the southern tip of Americas, only seven years ago, a group of scientists discovered a site where feeding humpback whales return every summer, motivating them to start a business of ecotourism and research. This is the first zone established as marine protected area and marine park in the country. The Marine Park Francisco Coloane, located southeast of the island Carlos III, is an extension of sea and land within the 67,000 acres that make up the coastal areas Marine Protected Francisco Coloane, in the Strait of Magellan, in Region XII of Chile. The main attractions are: Jerome Channel, Step tortuous, Islote Ruppert, Barbara Channel, Cordes Bays and Fortescue, Seno Whale and the Isle St. Agnes with its glacier. The entire protected area has a vast biodiversity and landscape, as well as a geographic and oceanographic only partly due to a combination of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, its high winds, the presence of massive glaciers and dismembered cost. One of the main motivations for the creation of the park, which includes a biological corridor, habitat of the humpback whale (and occasionally sei whales) in their feeding season. The area also includes large colonies of two species of sea lions and important nesting sites of the Magellanic penguin.
Note: according to time of sighting and migratory behavior of humpback whales in the incoming period to the Marine Park area, in November sighting probabilities are very low as well in may.
Day 1 – Punta Arenas – Faro San Isidro Inn (D)
In the evening you will be transferred by land from Punta Arena to embarking area (1hour of lenght, 60 km, south, Voces Bay) to check in at the operator´s office. From there you will be sailing on rigid inflated boats to Faro San Isidro Lodge where you will have dinner and stay overnight. Double occupancy with private bath.
Day 2 – Punta Arenas – Carlos III Island (B, L, D)
You will board after breakfast for navigation through the Strait of Magellan to Carlos III Island(8 hours of length, speed 8-10 knots). Boat Yat espturin II has capacity os 10 passenger plus 3 crew. Breakfast and lunch will be on board. Arrival at the camp on Carlos III Island. Tour by camp outskirts and observatory of whales. Topics lecture: camp description, Francisco Coloane Marine Park, marine wildlife. After short excursion you will have dinner. Accommodation is secured in Domos tents double occupancy provide with wooden stoves and communal bath.
Day 3 – Francisco Coloane Marine Park-Carlos III-Seno Ballena (B, L, D)
After breakfast you will go to observe Whales, penguins, cormorants and sea lions. You will be sailing toward the glacier Isla Santa Ines through Seno Ballena. Then you return to camp and have dinner.
Day 4 – Francisco Coloane marine park – Punta Arenas (B, L)
Today after breakfast you will go for a small excursion for whale watching and sea birds. Lunch will be at the camp when you return. Then you will be sailing to Punta Arenas arriving to disembark point in the evening. Punta Arena is the place of accommodation (not included).
- all ground transportation
- rigid inflatable boats
- 1-night in Faro San Isidro Lodge, 2-nights accommodation sharing dome tents Carlos III Ecolodge in the Francisco Coloane Marine Park
- meals as indicated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner) where appropriate box lunch, dinner (1 bottle of wine for 4 people, 1 beer per person per appetizer Pisco Sour, soft drinks)
- a host guide, English speaking guide, scientists in marine biology in general
- survival equipment – flotation suits, life jackets, suits and boots of water for navigation
- permanent English assistance by our Operations Department
- international and local airfare
- meals and services not detailed in the program
- tips
- insurance
- personal expenses
- optional excursions
- single supplement
- Price per person (2 people in double / twin room).
- The program can be customized according to your requirements.
- The price is subject to availability and actual airfare cost.
- Difficulty level of this tour – average.
- Equipment required for the tour: backpack up to 10 kms as max., waterproof jacket, pants and proper shoes, inner layer (wool), 1 spare clothes, hat, scarf, gloves, socks, sandals, sunglasses, towel, long underwear, cream, headlamp, sunscreen.
