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Island Adventure: Explore Humboldt Penguin Reserve
4.2
13 Ratings
La Serena
Embark on a navigation tour to the Humboldt Penguin Reserve and explore the stunning Dama Island and Chañaral. Discover diverse marine species, beautiful landscapes, and settlements of experienced fishermen.
Embark on a navigation tour to the Humboldt Penguin Reserve and explore the stunning Dama Island and Chañaral. Discover diverse marine species, beautiful landscapes, and settlements of experienced fishermen.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- La Serena - Views of the foundational terraces, bell towers and monuments of the old town and the revolutionary Plan Serena
- Caleta Los Hornos - You will get to know this surprising geological sanctuary and smuggling port in the colony that stands out for its numerous geological formations and that teaches the evolution of the continent’s…
- La Serena - Views of the foundational terraces, bell towers and monuments of the old town and the revolutionary Plan Serena
- Caleta Los Hornos - You will get to know this surprising geological sanctuary and smuggling port in the colony that stands out for its numerous geological formations and that teaches the evolution of the continent’s coast since the Quaternary
- La Higuera - We will ascend the Buenos Aires slope where in ancient times families and groups of bandits and rustlers lived, descendants of indigenous fishermen and pirates who assaulted the shops in the colony, being highly feared by the authorities of the time.
- Pueblo Los Choros - We will arrive at the Quebrada de Los Choros and learn about the native flora and fauna of cacti and semi-arid flora together with the fauna of guanacos, foxes and birds of this beautiful basin and underground river to later visit the picturesque mud and totora houses of this town considered one of the oldest in Chile that was also the conquest camp of Pedro de Valdivia
- Punta Choros - We will arrive at this fishing village located at the tip of the continent in front of the Gaviotas, Choros and Damas Islands. From its Cove we will begin the navigation to the Islands of the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve
- Isla Damas - After setting sail from Punta de Choros, sailing and exploring the varied geography and marine fauna of Choros Island (1 hour) and spotting its beautiful and varied seabirds, Humboldt penguins, sea lions and sea otters, we will head to Damas Island (descent not confirmed by the presence of avian flu) where you can appreciate its beautiful landscapes of beaches, cacti and flowers as well as its different formations and geographical units where the amazing human and animal figures that appear on the rocks stand out (45 minutes of navigation). In low season the descent on Damas Island is from Thursday to Sunday for 1 hour.
- Punta Choros - We will have lunch in a restaurant specializing in fish and seafood, a menu based on different options for starters, background and dessert with a soft drink included.
- La Serena - We return to La Serena to the passenger accommodations
What's Included
- Lunch included
- Comfortable ride with in-vehicle air conditioning
- Humboldt Penguin boat tour with reservation ticket
- Lunch included
- Comfortable ride with in-vehicle air conditioning
- Humboldt Penguin boat tour with reservation ticket
What's Not Included
- tips
- tips
Additional Information
You will get to know one of the most beautiful islands on the southern Pacific coast and one of the areas with the greatest diversity of marine species. The borders of the Green North of Coquimbo and the beginnings of the driest desert in the world: the Atacama stand out for having attractive landscapes and settlements of former seamen considered the…
You will get to know one of the most beautiful islands on the southern Pacific coast and one of the areas with the greatest diversity of marine species. The borders of the Green North of Coquimbo and the beginnings of the driest desert in the world: the Atacama stand out for having attractive landscapes and settlements of former seamen considered the most experienced fishermen in Chile ‘Los Choros, Pieles Rojas, Changos and Camanchacas’. You will navigate and get to know three magical islands: Gaviotas, Choros and Damas and enjoy its incomparable geography, beaches and diversity of plants and cacti together with its attractive fauna of penguins, dolphins, sea birds, otters and sea lions. You will be able to walk through Isla Damas, a place with a fascinating beauty of numerous beaches and desert flora. The current Humboldt Penguin National Reserve generated in ancient times the construction of the first and last rafts made with sea lion skin.
Location
La Serena
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.2
(13 Ratings)
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Nydia_p
Jan 21, 2026
A tour to keep your eyes peeled - The tour was wonderful, even with some unexpected setbacks. The guide fills you with enthusiasm and makes you stay alert to absolutely everything in your environment: from the ground, where cacti are born, to the sky, where caracaras and jots fly. From the sea where penguins swim to the caves where cormorants nest.
Just a nod for penguin fans: they see themselves in their habitat and the people of the island respect the distance (there is no very close interaction physically). But it does not change the extraordinary experience of seeing them exist where they belong.
Review provided by Viator
Richard_t
Dec 26, 2025
Excellent day trip from La Serena - Excellent day trip from La Serena. Lots of wildlife to see (penguins, whales, guanacos) and a very knowledgeable guide. We had a great time.
Review provided by Viator
Stine_n
Nov 22, 2025
We had an amazing day.... - We had an amazing day. The boat excursion was great, with sightings of pelicans, penguins, sea lions, and numerous other birds. Afterwards, we enjoyed a lunch at Restaurant el Barco (where we had the best empanadas!). Our guide, Cristobal, proved to be very helpful and knowledgeable.
Review provided by Viator
Justin_s
Jul 27, 2025
It is extremely... - It is extremely informative and was loads of fun. Remember to ask the guide to stop to show you the prehistoric plant
Review provided by Viator
Christine_s
Nov 4, 2024
Highlights included Bottle-nose Dolphins, Marine Otter, Sea Lions, birds at Isle Chañaral & wildlife in Chilean desert. - I was the only non-Spanish speaker on the trip and the driver and tour guide, Natalie, put me up front in the full van and explained and answered my questions in English. She also stopped the van when I wanted to take pictures of the wildlife including Guanaco, Chilla (fox), and a Chimango Caracara rescuing road kill in front of the stopped van.
We went to the northern island Chañaral and saw Bottle-nose Dolphins, a Marine Otter, Steller Sea Lions, Southern Giant Petrel, Peregrine Falcon, Cormorants, Turkey Vultures, Blackish Oystercatcher, small Diving Peruvian Petrel, and lots of Kelp Gulls. No penguins. Appears too many (~4000) were wiped out with last year's devastating bird flu. They say some survived and hope they come back to nest.
I missed a lot of the tour descriptions since tour was in Spanish (Chilean Holiday so many locals) and google translate does not work without internet out by island, but I was more interested in spotting and taking pictures of birds and marine animals and Natalie came and sat by me on the boat, and gave me the highlights. This early November 2024 boat trip was in choppy waters, which I found fun, but beware if you get sea sick. Open boat (with solid plastic seats seating 2 on each side) had a cover, which got in the way of pictures of the top of cliff when not on my side. Might have helped to swing it around a bit more.
The fishing town where boat was launched, Caleta Chañaral, was rustic and unlike the well fed street dogs in La Serena, I had a hard time seeing starving looking dogs. But that is real life here. Bring 500 pesos to use the bathroom there.
Lunch of grilled fish and lots of vegetables in a small town that has olive trees and makes olive oil in the middle of the dessert was delicious. I enjoyed conversation with younger professional Chileans on the trip who spoke excellent English.
Overall a memorable experience on my first trip to Chile and I already posted pictures on iNaturalist of the wildlife, marine life, and birds. Thank you again to the delightful Natalie who made my trip a success. She also is interested in the new nearby Vera C. Rubin Observatory that I am connected with, so I was happy to answer lots of questions in return that I'm sure will be shared on tours Natalie gives of the Elqui Valley.
Review provided by Viator
Ed_f
Feb 6, 2024
Seeing Humboldt Penguins with Tembeta Travel Tours - As a wildlife photographer, I am highly recommending the excellent tour services of Tembeta Travel for daytrips to the Humboldt penguin reserves north of La Serena, Chile.
In January 2024, I used Viator to book two tours of the Damas Island and Chañaral de Aceituno Humboldt Penguin Reserves via Tembeta Travel to complete my quest to photograph all 19 species of penguins in the wild. I truly had a “5 star” experience through the professional efforts of Tembeta manager, Cristobal, and tour guide, Natalia, who both ensured I had numerous opportunities to photograph the Humboldt penguins and other marine-based wildlife.
Both trips began with early morning van pickups at my La Serena hotel for the two-hour drive to harbors where I boarded boats for water-based cruises that allowed me to see not only Humboldt penguins but also numerous seabirds, sea lions, along with humpback and fin whales. I was especially appreciative that Tembeta provided me an English-speaking guide as I was the only person on both tours who did not speak fluent Spanish.
For the Damas Island tour, we were given an hour to walk around this small island where we could explore several pathways and enjoy the antics of the recently hatched gull checks. Before returning to La Serena, our included luncheon restaurant for both tours provided meals that included beer, wine, and soft drink choices. On both trips, I enjoyed the grilled fresh fish plate lunch that became my main meal of each tour day.
Overall, I found Tembeta Travel provided on-time transportation, friendly and courteous guides and, most importantly, a willingness to tailor my tour experiences to achieve my photographic needs. I can honestly say that Tembeta Travel provided me with some of the best local tour experiences in my years of international travel.
Review provided by Viator
Nicholas_j
Mar 23, 2026
Great trip - We did not see as many penguins as expected but los of other see life. Guide was excellent and lunch was enormous!
Review provided by Viator
Daniela_g
Feb 4, 2026
Beautiful tour - Rather a long drive from La Serena, but there is a lot to see.
The boat tour is fantastic, there is a lot to see and ddr guide knew a lot to tell.
There is a deduction because no English was offered. So if you rely on English, then absolutely ask, otherwise it's a shame.
Otherwise, the tour is perfect.
Review provided by Viator
Christiane_p
Feb 3, 2026
Many sea lions but few penguins - That it is very difficult to see penguins, that they may not see one. Moreover, we have not been to Damascus Island but to another one where it is forbidden to land, perhaps decreasing our chances of seeing penguins.
Review provided by Viator
Kim_l
May 24, 2024
Not for penguin sightings - Boat trip was great but if you want to see penguins then do not do this trip - apparently there used to be hundreds but due to bird flu none on island of Damas - 2 spotted on Isla Choros
Review provided by Viator
