Chilean Patagonia is made up of sites with evocative names, synonymous with adventure and the end of the world: like Punta Arenas, Strait of Magellan, Cape Horn…

Whale of Carlos III Island in Chile

Carlos III Island is not a paradise island, I’ll tell you that straight away. Very small, you could walk around it in 2 hours, it is about 10 hours by boat from Punta Arenas, lost on the Strait of Magellan, where storms and violent winds are common. This crossing is already a journey in itself. We cannot help but imagine the conditions in which the first expeditions had to face the natural elements of the region. This route, although exceptional, I do not recommend it to people with seasickness or to young children.

Carlos III Island in the extreme south of Chile

During my first trip, after a day of navigation, I saw Carlos III Island, in its total isolation, and a grandiose spectacle: the maritime fauna of the surrounding area and the famous humpback whales. In this almost unreal scenery, I had the privilege of being on board one of the rare boats sailing in the area observing these endangered marine mammals.

Different outings are possible to observe whales, sea wolves, penguins, albatrosses… and also an (unnamed) glacier flown over by hundreds of cormorants. Sometimes we also see orcas (killer whales) passing through the area.

Accommodations on Carlos III Island are simple. I would describe them as “comfortable” if you realize that you are a day’s boat ride from any inhabited land. The site is maintained by scientists who live on the island throughout the season. You can chat for hours and hours with them. They study the behavior of these whales, know how to recognize them and differentiate them from each other. To date, 103 whales have been referenced and precisely monitored.

For thrill-seekers, a sea kayak trip to get within a few meters of these mammals is possible… (and I highly recommend it).

Venture to Carlos III Island