Islotes de Punihuil
Islotes de Punihuil
4.5
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4.5
80 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
23
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
stork90
Mount Juliet, TN1,397 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Well worth the 9000 CLP (cash only) per person. We were surprised at the number and variety of cormorants, as well as a new-to-us species of flightless steamer duck.
Plenty of Magellanic penguins, but had to search hard for the few Humboldts; in fact, I wasn't certain that I had seen them until I downloaded my pictures and looked at them on my PC.
Very easy boat ride in protected waters and the guide was quite knowledgeable (albeit, we benefited from a kind fellow passenger's real time English translation for ourselves and his own son).
If you don't have a tour prebooked, the operators from the beach go out at set times. (See my uploaded picture of the schedule board) So, if you get there right after the boat departure, you could have about an hour wait.
Plenty of Magellanic penguins, but had to search hard for the few Humboldts; in fact, I wasn't certain that I had seen them until I downloaded my pictures and looked at them on my PC.
Very easy boat ride in protected waters and the guide was quite knowledgeable (albeit, we benefited from a kind fellow passenger's real time English translation for ourselves and his own son).
If you don't have a tour prebooked, the operators from the beach go out at set times. (See my uploaded picture of the schedule board) So, if you get there right after the boat departure, you could have about an hour wait.
Written 21 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr-Bea B
Dallas, TX189 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
This excursion is great ! It is the only place in the world where you see the Humboldt and the Magellanic penguins coexisting and nesting side by side. You see many other fascinating birds. Also you experience the ingenuity of the local Chilote people (inhabitants of Chiloé Island in Chile). I have travel around the world but I never saw the unique carriage they use to transport the group to the boat so nobody get their feet wet :) At the Restaurant Bahia Punihuil, in the same beach and with a great view of the fabulous Pacific, you can find the most delicious seafood (and meat) typical dishes and great deserts! The service is also great! Try the piures!
Written 19 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patty C
Chile32 contributions
We went with a tour from Ancud and of course it cost more. You can drive directly to the beach and take a boat for there. Cost -6500. With the tour 17000 pp. They all offer the same. It was great to see the penguins, the other birds, the sea otters etc. our guide was great and informative. We then drove all around the area with great views o this part of the island.
Written 26 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter S
Puerto Varas, Chile76 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
Wonderful to see the Magellan and Humbolt penguins together (about 80% Magellan and 20% Humbolt). Puñihuil - and Chiloé Is - is very beautiful.
We drove ourselves from Puerto Varas, where we were staying. The drive took about 1 hour to the ferry at Pargua. The cost of the ferry is CLP13,000 each way and takes 30 mins. The drive to Puñihuil then takes about a further hour.
No need to book either ferry or the local fisherman who take you out for 30 minutes to see the penguins, cormorants, sea lions etc - cost CLP 7,000. The penguins can be seen December through the end of March.
We drove ourselves from Puerto Varas, where we were staying. The drive took about 1 hour to the ferry at Pargua. The cost of the ferry is CLP13,000 each way and takes 30 mins. The drive to Puñihuil then takes about a further hour.
No need to book either ferry or the local fisherman who take you out for 30 minutes to see the penguins, cormorants, sea lions etc - cost CLP 7,000. The penguins can be seen December through the end of March.
Written 16 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cookpias
Los Angeles, CA1,669 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
This is very cool Humbolt and Magellan penguins are in residence from November through March--then they take off. They were molting when we were there, so they weren't too active, but the guide gave us a good tour. Getting on and off the boat was a kick-they load you onto a trolly on the sand and wheel you out to the boat so you step on and off the boat. It is a beautiful setting--you drive to the end of the road and onto the beach.
Written 26 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grebnevaagain
56 contributions
After a long, rough car ride from Ancud, my friend and I signed up for a tour and boarded a cart which was pushed out into the water by two guys so that we could board our small boat to penguin island. Obviously, we were already having a good time! But after the short boat ride, it got even better as we spotted Magellenic and Homboldt penguins on the tiny rocky outcropping in the ocean. Sweet! Don't miss it.
Written 22 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelReviewer1983
Sde Eliezer, Israel5,405 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
By far our favourite place in Chiloe!
We came here by car and we're amazed by the fact we had to drive through a little water stream and then on the beach to get to the car park (no 4x4 needed!).
We booked a Penguin Tour with the first company we say. There are 7 boat operators but all charge the same (7,000 pesos per person).
They gave us a life vest and loaded us on a special people carrier that was then pushed through the water to the boat where we embarked.
The tour was approx 30 minutes and was simply stunning. We had a great guide (there are both English & Spanish speaking guides on each boat) and saw loads of penguins, but also several other interesting birds.
Simply unmissable!!!
We came here by car and we're amazed by the fact we had to drive through a little water stream and then on the beach to get to the car park (no 4x4 needed!).
We booked a Penguin Tour with the first company we say. There are 7 boat operators but all charge the same (7,000 pesos per person).
They gave us a life vest and loaded us on a special people carrier that was then pushed through the water to the boat where we embarked.
The tour was approx 30 minutes and was simply stunning. We had a great guide (there are both English & Spanish speaking guides on each boat) and saw loads of penguins, but also several other interesting birds.
Simply unmissable!!!
Written 27 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roddie M
Mielan, France69 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
This one is one the must-see attractions of a beautiful island inhabited by warm, kind people. Quiet surroundings for relaxation and introspection. Nice cabins overlooking the rock formations, or else you can stay in lovely Ancud (I strongly recommend Cabañas Las Golondrinas, with its marvelous "Mascarón de Proa" restaurant.
Written 19 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
liesenrut
The Hague, The Netherlands178 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
If you didn t come from the far south, having seen pinquins already, do make the little detour from Ancud to see the three little islands.. The road is all paved now! The trip only takes 30 min, but is worth it. We didn t have an english speaking guide, but there must be some that do speak english. Costs 6000 pesos.
There are some restaurants to have lunch.
There are some restaurants to have lunch.
Written 21 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol
22 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Updated pricing: We paid 10,000 CLP each and the tour was about 45 minutes, which was well worth it.
Written 19 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are penguins there by mid-October?
Written 20 September 2018
Si puedes pero bien abrigado ya que corre viento!
Written 10 June 2016
We will be staying in Castro from Wed, Nov 11 to Saturday, Nov 14. We, 3 of us, would like to take the penguin tour. All I see are tours from Puerta Montt or Puerta Versa. We will already be there, in Castro. Can I book with you for Thursday, Nov 12.
Bill Cahill
Written 2 November 2015
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