Whale Watching from Punta Arenas 3 Days / 2 Nights

If you want to experience real, raw and natural Patagonia as well as see Humpback whales feed in their natural environment then this excursion is for you. This is a wonderful opportunity to stay on a tiny island in one of the remotest, pristine places on Earth. It involves a navigation into the wilderness channels and fiords that break up the Southern Pacific down the Magallanes Strait, past the southern-most point of continental South America and on to Carlos III Island in the middle of the Francisco Coloane Marine Park.

The excursion is adventurous, exhilarating, and educational. You will have one night in a simple metal framed dome tent on a remote island from where you can see the whales feeding in the channel below.

The Marine Park

The area of sea that contains the feeding ground for the Humpback whales is called “Francisco Coloane” Marine Park. Above all, this channel of water is home to a large biodiversity of marine live.  However, it was as a consequence of a decision to study of whales from a base located on Carlos III Island that then created the need to give some kind of protection to these creatures. As a result, this area of water was formally allocated the status of a marine park in 2003. As a result, it is now also a tourist destination.

The marine park covers 67,000 hectares of sea and is southeast of Carlos III Island. Most importantly, this island is located in the Strait of Megellan, on the Pacific side of the Chilean coast not too far west from Punta Arenas. Most importantly, because of its remote location the area is totally prestine, wild and natural where Patagonia can be experienced in its true form: raw. That is to say, that within this part of the world are many native, forested islands, hanging glaciers. On the other hand there are large glaciers that come down from the peaks to meet the sea. Moreover, there are narrow channels and plenty of marine fauna, including Humpback whales, and on occasion Sei and Mink whales, as well as dolphins.

It is a place where the wind can howl, mist touches the low-level mountain tops, clean, fresh air enters the lungs, dolphins pass by to say “hello”, the chirp of birds break the natural silence, ancient trees cling to steep island sides and diving whales gently break the water’s surface.

Did you know that each Humpback whale has its own, distinct markings on its tail fin? For example, like a human with fingerprints, the individual markings on the tail enable researchers to identify the different whales. Consequently, there are many pictures of the tails of Humpback whales as they dive for food. Most importantly, make sure you are ready to snap your own iconic picture of a whale as it dives for food and flips its huge tail in the air!

Above all, the excursion will involve a long time on board a fast speed, covered zodiac into the marine park. Therefore, you will need to stay the previous night and the night after the excursion in Punta Arenas. For this reason, we will include two nights in your Patagonia itinerary and also book your hotel.

Considering that in Patagonia there are “four seasons in one day”, in other words the weather constantly changes, you need to be prepared. For example, you will need to have a warm, waterproof jacket, warm undergarment like a fleece, then an under garment, gloves, warm hat, lip balm, sun glasses, sun block cream, waterproof trekking pants and trekking shoes or boots. In conclusion, the same clothes you will need for any Patagonia activity. In addition, because you are on the water, the temperature may feel colder than it you were on land.