Humpback whales live in all oceans. Hunting is banned worldwide since 1966 and they are observed in the Strait of Magellan and the Patagonian Channels each year between November and May.
The entire protected area has extensive biological and landscape diversity, as well as a unique geographical and oceanographic due in part to the conjunction of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, strong winds, the presence of massive glaciers and dismembered coast.
One of the main motivations for the creation of the park, including a biological, it is the habitat of the humpback whale (and occasionally the sei whale) in their feeding season. Also, the area includes large colonies of two species of sea lions and important nesting sites of the Magellan penguin.
During the stay in Patagonia, whales main activity is feeding and search for food.... Its most important food in the Strait is the krill (small shrimp), shrimp in the channels and sardines. Usually they catch breaking the surface with its mouth open from the front or side, immediately engulfing.
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, Chile.
Whale watching with us means scientific and environmental conservation and all the facilities of the camp on Isla Carlos III: warm atmosphere, modern equipment and comfort.
Days
From 02
Price
From USD$700
* Tax not included (19%). Non resident foreiner pay no taxes
• Francisco Coloane Marine Park – Carlos III Island
- 4 days / 3 nights - Regular Program
Day 1: Punta Arenas - Faro San Isidro Inn
18:00 pm Transportation by land of 01 hour of length to embarking area (60 km, south, Voces Bay) 30 minutes sailing on rigid inflated boats to Inn.
Dinner, accommodation in Faro San Isidro Lodge. Double occupancy with private bath.
Day 2: Punta Arenas - Carlos III Island
07:00 am Breakfast
Boarding for navigation through the Strait of Magellan, 08 hours of length. Speed 8-10 knots , boat Yat espturin II capacity 10 passenger plus 3 crew.
Breakfast and box lunch 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.
Short excursion pm
Dinner, accommodation Ecolodge Carlos III Island in Domos tents double occupancy provide with wooden stoves and communal bath.
Day 3: Francisco Coloane Marine Park-Carlos III - Seno Ballena
Breakfast. .
Observation of Whales.
Sighting of penguins, cormorants and sea lions.
Lunch at the camp.
Sailing toward the glacier Isla Santa Ines through Seno Ballena.
Return, Dinner, accommodation in Ecolodge Carlos III Island in Domos tents double occupancy provide with wooden stoves and communal bath.
Day 4: Francisco Coloane marine park - Punta Arenas
Breakfast. Small excursion for whale watching and sea birds.
Lunch at the camp.
Sailing to Punta Arenas arriving to disembark point at 19:00 pm
Arrive in Punta Arenas at 20:00 pm. Place of accommodation.
• San Isidro Inn - Francisco Coloane Marine Park
- 4 days / 3 nights - Special Program
Day 1: Punta Arenas - Faro San Isidro Inn
8:00 am Departure to San Isidro Cape area. Pick Up place of accommodation
Boarding for navigation through Strait of Magellan. Big chance of observing to southern dolphin.
Arrival to San Isidro Inn. Lunch
Visit to Eagle Bay (operation place of whaling society 1905-1907) , San Isidro Lighthouse and surroundings.
Chance of short kayak excursion (maximum length 2 hours) at Inn surroundings, observing coastal fauna.
OPTION trekking monte Tarn ( climbed by Charles Darwin 1834)
Dinner, accommodation in Faro San Isidro Lodge. Double occupancy with private bath.
Day 2: Punta Arenas - Carlos III Island
07:00 am Breakfast
Boarding for navigation through the Strait of Magellan, 08 hours of length. speed 8-10 knots , boat Yat esturion II capacity 10 passenger plus 3 crew.
Breakfast and box lunch 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.
Short excursion pm
Dinner, accommodation Ecolodge Carlos III Island in Domos tents double occupancy provide with wooden stoves and communal bath.
Day 3: Francisco Coloane Marine Park-Carlos III-Seno Ballena
Breakfast. Observation of Whales.
Sighting of penguins, cormorants and sea lions.
Lunch at the camp.
Sailing toward the glacier Isla Santa Ines through Seno Ballena.
Return, Dinner, accommodation in Ecolodge Carlos III Island in Domos tents double occupancy provide with wooden stoves and communal bath.
Day 4: Francisco Coloane marine park - Punta Arenas
Breakfast. Small excursion for whale watching and sea birds.
Lunch at the camp.
Sailing to Punta Arenas arriving to disembark point at 19:00 pm
Arrive in Punta Arenas at 20:00 pm. Place of accommodation
• Francisco Coloane Marine Park
- 4 days / 3 nights - Kayak Program
Day 1: Punta Arenas - Isla Carlos III
08:00 am Departure to San Isidro Cape area. Pick Up place of accommodation
Boarding for navigation through Strait of Magellan. Big chance of observing to southern dolphin.
Arrival to San Isidro Inn reception , coffe and visits to the kaweskar representation, Eagle Bay ( operation place of whaling society 1905-1907) , San Isidro Lighthouse and surroundings.
Lunch in hosteria
Pm safety briefing practice and roll techniques short kayak excursion eagle Bay o Islets Nassau(maximum length 4 hours), observing coastal fauna.
Dinner, accommodation in Faro San Isidro Lodge. Double occupancy with private bath.
Day 2: Francisco Coloane Marine Park - Carlos III Island - Whale Sound
07:00 am Breakfast
Boarding for navigation through the Strait of Magellan, 08 hours of length. speed 8-10 knots , boat Yat esturion II capacity 10 passenger plus 3 crew.
Breakfast and box lunch 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.
Kayak excursion surrounding marine park, whale watching.
Dinner, accommodation Ecolodge Carlos III Island in Domos tents double occupancy provide with wooden stoves and communal bath.
Day 3: Francisco Coloane Marine Park
Breakfast.
Kayak in Ruppet Islet in the area sighting marine fauna Magellan penguin sea lions colonies .Return to the camp, lunch.
Sailing toward the glacier Isla Santa Ines through Seno Ballena.
Return, Dinner, accommodation in Ecolodge Carlos III Island in Domos tents double occupancy provide with wooden stoves and communal bath
Dinner, accommodation Ecolodge Carlos III Island in Domos tents double occupancy provide with wooden stoves and communal bath
Day 4: Francisco Coloane Marine Park - Punta Arenas
Breakfast. Last kayak trip as weather and time available.
Departure from Camp
Lunch on board.
Navigation and arrive to Punta Arenas 20:00 pm. Place of accommodation
PROGRAMS REGULAR, SPECIAL AND KAYAK:
Included:
All land transport
Cruising on Y/M Sturion II and rigid inflatable boats
03 nights of shared accommodation for 2 people in San Isidro lodge and Ecolodge domes at Carlos III Island. Francisco Coloane Marine Park.
Meals as outlined in the itinerary: Breakfast, Lunch, box lunch if applicable, dinner. 01 bottle of wine for 04 persons + 01 beer per person per appetizer Pisco Sour, soft drinks, beverages.
One expert, English speaking guide, Scientists generally marine biology.
Excluded:
Air fares.
Insurance (it is mandatory that you buy an adequate insurance for this type of trips).
Tips for guides and staff.
Personal items (laundry, alcoholic beverages other than wine and pisco sours offered at dinner, etc.).
Special meals, chocolates and sodas.
What is needed to bring?
Backpack of 20 kg max.
waterproof parka ,pants and boots,
The insulate layer clothes (wool)
01 clothe to spare
Hat, scarf, gloves, socks, sandals, sunglasses, personal towel, long underwear,
Extra socks to spare
Flashlight / headlamp
Sunscreen.
• Francisco Coloane Marine Park – Isla Carlos III
- 4 days / 3 nights - 24 hrs Program
Rigid inflatable boats (Zodiak)
This trips are made by rigid inflatable boats, for passengers who enjoy the adventure and do not have enough time to stay in the Marine Park and navigate to the meeting with the humpback whales in Francisco Coloane Marine Park. In the route you can enjoy the benefits of the area and the natural environment through fjords and channels and then go on to the Strait of Magellan and ecolodge located in Isla Carlos III.
Rigid inflatable boats are open boats which are equipped with these safety stuff and each passenger is equipped with adequate special clothing (floatation suits, life jackets, shoe covers). It is important to have warm and waterproof clothing and spare clothes for the trip.
This navigation takes only 3.5 hrs max OW depending on weather conditions allowing to reach in good time the area and enjoy contact with the humpbacks whales, . This is a day of excursion and sailing.
At the end of the day a good dinner and comfort awaits in dome tents. The next day, whale watching in the morning and then returning to Punta Arenas.
The point of departure and navigation location may vary depending on weather conditions.
Day 1: Punta Arenas - Isla Carlos III rigid inflated boat
07:30 pick up passengers (trf 1.5 hrs) to the point of shipment, Isla Riesco sector / variant voices Bahia
09:00 boarding for navigation through the Straits of Magellan
Arrival at the camp on Isla Carlos III. After 3.5horas navigation
Tour through the outskirts of the camp and observation of whales.
Thematic presentation: description of the area, Francisco Coloane Marine Park and marine wildlife.
Whale watching
Dinner, accommodation.
Day 2: Francisco Coloane Marine Park Carlos III
Breakfast. .
Whale watching.
Watching penguins, cormorants and sea lions.
Wolf-watching trip and seabirds. Ruppert Island
Return to the lodge 11:00 am, lunch at the lodge or box lunch on the way back
Arrival in Punta Arenas. 16.30 pm
INCLUDES
Included
All land transport
Cruising on Y/M Sturion II and rigid inflatable boats
01 nights of shared accommodation for 2 people in San Isidro lodge and Ecolodge domes at Carlos III Island. Francisco Coloane Marine Park.
Meals as outlined in the itinerary: Breakfast, Lunch, box lunch if applicable, dinner. 01 bottle of wine for 04 persons + 01 beer per person per appetizer Pisco Sour, soft drinks, beverages.
One expert, english speaking guide, Scientists generally marine biology.
Excluded
Air fares.
Insurance (it is mandatory that you buy an adequate insurance for this type of trips).
Tips for guides and staff.
Personal items (laundry, alcoholic beverages other than wine and pisco sours offered at dinner, etc.).
Special meals, chocolates and sodas.
What is needed to bring?
Backpack of 20 kg max.
waterproof parka ,pants and boots,
The insulate layer clothes (wool)
01 clothe to spare
Hat, scarf, gloves, socks, sandals, sunglasses, personal towel, long underwear,
Extra socks to spare
Flashlight / headlamp
Sunscreen.
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Whale watching season officially begins on December 12 and it lasts until April 30 of each year. In May you should ask to the agent, because there is little chance of whale watching and the weather also can change.
Kayak season, marine wildlife watching, navigation in Estrecho de Magallanes and visits to Santa Ines glacier, starting from September each year.
The program includes; departure/return to Punta Arenas. Hostel accommodation and camping in dome tents with 2 futon beds both with heating.
The trips are made with a minimum of passengers and you need to check it with your agent. Single supplement up to 1.5 times the program.
The program is all inclusive, tours, accommodation, meals and beverages for both Faro San Isidro Inn and Camp. Extras have to be paid by the passenger.
The company provides sleeping bags, sheets, blankets, towels and thermal suits if it’s necessary, passengers may carry special tools like their own sleeping bag.
Changes in the program can happen without notice.
In case of bad weather or conditions of seaworthiness, we will stay in San Isidro lighthouse inn or a port on the continent.
If the passenger doesn’t want to be waiting, a 75% of the total value is put on hold. 25% returned to the client.
Only 50% refund of prior conduct situation analysis for problems of our company.
In case of force majeure shall surrender the identification and appropriate response as assessed.
A failure to submit the passenger to travel, home or personal reasons other than do not involve the actions of the company; you automatically lose the square and refunds.
IMPORTANT
Our sailing program and are subject to climatic factor (Weather permiting) means that the passenger should be aware when booking that means that in this case the factor is outside the scope of our company.
It is mandatory that all clients have personal travel insurance. The insurance can be bought directly with Inside Patagonia.
