Blue Whales of Chiloe Island

A Quest for the World’s Largest Leviathan

The Blue Whale is the world’s largest living animal and for many decades it was considered on the verge of extinction. More than a decade ago, a group of Chilean scientists discovered an important nursery area for these mighty and gentle giants off Chiloe Island.
Join us on this exclusive 6-day journey to explore the waters of the Corcovado Gulf and the Guaitecas Archipelago, western Patagonia, where Blue Whales plus an interesting array of other cetaceans and seabirds occur.

6-day trip. Starts/Ends at Balmaceda, Chile 2016 departures: February 28 & March 6

Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus. Corcovado Gulf, off Chiloe © Jordi Plana, Far South Expeditions

Chiloe Island is an archipelagic zone of southern Chile, located in western Patagonia. It has the reputation of being one of the rainiest places on Earth; lush temperate rainforests cover the coastal hills and many small fishing villages are scattered across its associated archipelagos. The surrounding seas are highly productive and this region marks the beginning of the northward-flowing Humboldt Current, one of the world’s richest oceanic ecosystems. The iconic Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) have found in the food-rich waters of the Chilean Fjords the perfect shelter to feed and nurse their young. This population of Blue Whale spends the southern summer months near to the tropics, depending on the abundance and displacement of the krill.
We will spend many hours on board, searching for Blue Whales, potentially other whale species (e.g. Humpback), plus dolphins, sea lions and fur seals. Many seabirds occur here such as albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, cormorants and gulls. Also, the newly-discovered Pincoya storm-petrel is likely to be found here!
This exclusive boat-based trip discovers one of the least explored parts of South America, the extraordinarily beautiful and pristine Chilean Fjords in the west coast of Patagonia, from Aisén into the Guaitecas Islands, north into Gulf of Corcovado. On board our floating lodge you will enjoy all the comfort and great food and wines while admiring the imposing landscape unveiling before your eyes as you sail on, en route to spectacular channels, bays and inlets where you will land to be inmerse in a lush forest inhabited by terrestrial birds and fauna and the rich miniature forests of fungi, lichens, mosses and a host of small amphibians and insects and other invertebrates that wait to be discovered. Explore such spectacular places and be marvelled by the wildlife around, including seabirds and marine mammals, among them the majestic Blue Whale, the largest animal that has ever lived on the planet. In land, you will also enjoy exploring, contemplating and delighting in the unexpected beauty of these magical places.

Overview

Itinerary in Brief (6 days / 5 nights)

Day 1 Fly to Balmaceda (Coyhaique) Transfer to Puerto Aysén and boarding M/V Noctiluca (5 nights)
Day 2 Cruising Moraleda Channel
Days 3/5 Cruising Gulf of Corcovado for Blue Whale, Pincoya Storm Petrel and other marine mammals and seabirds. Potential landings at Puerto Marin Balmaceda and Tic-Toc Bay
Day 5 Back to Moraleda Channel in the afternoon
Day 6 Sailing back to Puerto Aysén Transfer to Balmaceda airport

Trip Highlights
Dedicated whale-watching expedition to find, study and photograph Blue Whales off Chiloe Island, western Patagonia.
Discover a rich array of seabirds and marine mammals including penguins, albatrosses, petrels as well as dolphins, other whale species, sea lions and fur seals.
Cruise along the scenic western archipelagos of Patagonia exploring the remote Corcovado National Park and the recently established Tic-Toc Bay Marine Park.
Explore lush and pristine temperate forests of western Patagonia, inhabited by a diverse array of endemic birds such as tapaculos, wiretail and Magellanic Woodpecker!
The picturesque, dramatic and unknown habitats of the Chiloe archipelagos (western Patagonia), holding a remarkable wildlife, scenery and cultural highlights.

This program is operated as a scheduled departure, leaving on a set date and with a minimum of 6 guests and a maximum of 8 guests.

The Difference of Travelling with Far South Expeditions
Each of our trips to the Guaitecas Archipelago (southern Chiloe) have a maximum of 8 guests.
Great accommodations at the Noctiluca floating lodge.
Memorable dinning cuisine and lunches.
Thorough nature interpretation provided by one expedition leader of our company.

Blue Whales of Chiloe Island can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:
Chile’s Lake District & Chiloe Island (5 days, 4 nights)
Pumas of Torres del Paine (6 days, 5 nights), dedicated private and small-group mammal expedition to find the elusive and lonely apex predator of the Andes, Puma.
Patagonia Explorer (9 days, 8 nights), discover the best of Patagonia and explore Los Glaciares National Park and the world-famous Perito Moreno Glacier (Argentina) plus Torres del Paine National Park and Tierra del Fuego, in Chile.

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary and Activities

Starts/Ends: Balmaceda, Chile

Day 1 Arrival to Balmaceda airport Transfer to Puerto Aisén and boarding M/V Noctiluca Sailing to Gulf of Corcovado
Today, after landing at Balmaceda airport, we’ll be transferred to Puerto Aisén (2 hours) where we’ll board our floating lodge, M/V Noctiluca, a comfortable, cozy and beautiful wooden ship that will be our base during the trip.
After meeting the captain and the crew and settled at our cabins, we will begin our quest for the marine wildlife of northwestern Patagonia. We will sail along the scenic Aysen Fjord where we expect to see Peale’s Dolphin, South American Sea Lion, and interesting birds such as King Cormorant, Flightless Steamer Duck, Kelp Goose, and South American Terns. By the end of the day we will look for a scenic spot near Puerto Aguirre for dinner and spending the night.
Overnight at M/V Noctiluca (Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)

Day 2 Moraleda Channel
We’ll be up early and after a delicious breakfast we’ll go out on the decks to scan for whales, dolphins and seabirds, while admiring the beautiful landscapes of the maze of channels and islands around. We will be sailing along part of the 90-mile long Moraleda Channel, which separates the mainland from the huge archipelagos of Chonos and Guaitecas. To the east we will see magnificent Andes peaks such as the Mentolat (1,660 m), Melimollu volcano (2,400 m) and the Maca Volcano (2,916 m.). We will be constantly scanning for the ocassional presence of pods of Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) which predates upon the numerous South American sea lion colonies located along the coast and small forested islands. As we get closer to the Corcovado Gulf, we will enjoy watching a good sample of oceanic seabirds including Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Southern Fulmar and long-distant migrants such as the migratory Arctic Skua or Parasitic Jaeger. The day will be a pleasant experience sailing along this protected and beautiful coastline.
By the end of the day we dock near Puerto Marin Balmaceda to do a nice walk to study the birdlife and vegetation of these dense temperate woodlands. We hope to see interesting species such as Black-throated Huet-huet, Chucao, Ochre-flanked and Magellanic Tapaculos, DesMurs’ Wiretail, Thorn-tailed Rayadito, White-throated Treerunner, and if we are lucky Magellanic Woodpecker and Rufous-legged Owl.
Overnight at M/V Noctiluca (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)

Patagonian Fjords © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

Days 3/4 Corcovado Gulf for Blue Whale and other marine mammals and seabirds Visit Tic-Toc Bay
We will have two full days to explore the Gulf of Corcovado to look for marine mammals, especially Blue Whale, largest animal on Earth, which occupies these waters as feeding grounds.
The iconic Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) have found in the food-rich waters of the Chilean Fjords, the perfect shelter to feed and to nurse their young. This population of Blue Whale spend the southern summer months near to the tropics, depending on the abundance and displacement of the krill. The huge Corcovado Gulf is considered as one of the world’s largest estuary ecosystems and due to mixing processes of freshwater and the rich Pacific Ocean, huge oceanographic processes determine the great productivity of this area, capable to hold the largest concentration of Blue Whale in the SOuthern Hemisphere plus a vast array of other marine wildlife. We will spend many hours on board, searching for Blue Whales, potentially Humpback whales, plus the endemic Chilean Dolphin, Southern Fur Seal and pelagic seabirds such as Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel and the recently discovered and endemic Pincoya Storm Petrel.
Depending on our progress with Blue Whales, we will have the time for evening explorations of the delightful and mpressive coastline of Tic-Toc Bay. This whole area has been recently recongnized as one of the few marine parks of Chile based not just on the seasonal presence of the Blue Whales but also on the rich array of other cetaceans, marine mammals, seabirds and the impressive community of fishes and marine invertebrates occurring in the bay and associated archipelagos.
See the video showing the work of WWF Chile & Centro Ballena Azul on Corcovado Gulf. Click here.
Overnight at M/V Noctiluca (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)

Blue Whale, Balaenoptera musculus. Corcovado Gulf, off Chiloe © Jordi Plana, Far South Expeditions

Day 5 Melinka Moraleda Channel
We’ll spend most of the day looking for wildlife around the Island of Melinka before heading south towards Guaitecas Archipelago and Aisén Fjord. En route we’ll see islets and rocks with Southern Sea Lion rookeries and massive seabird colonies, where several species of cormorants, gulls and terns nest.
Overnight at M/V Noctiluca (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)

Flightless Steamer-Duck, Tachyeres pteneres © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Expeditions

Day 6 Sailing back to Puerto Aisén, transfer to Balmaceda airport
Before noon we’ll be entering Aisén Fjord to disembark at Puerto Aisén and be transferred to Balmaceda airport, from where we’ll fly to Santiago.
(Breakfast)

Map

Trip Map

Dates & Rates

Dates and Rates Season 2016

Meet/Depart: Balmaceda, Chile

2016 Departures: February 28 & March 6

Group size:
Minimum 6 participants (3 doble cabins) plus 1 FSE naturalist guide
Maximum 8 participants (2 double cabins + 1 quadruple cabin) plus 1 FSE naturalist guide

2016 Rates:

Blue Whales of Chiloe Island
Trip Code
CHL13
Trip Length
6 days, 5 nights
2016 Dates
February 28 & March 6
Cabin Type
Double Cabin (2)
Quadruple Cabin (1)
Price per person
$3,714
$1,857
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 6 participants.
Maximum 8 participants.

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago (SCL) to Balmaceda (BBA)?
Domestic flights Santiago – Balmaceda – Santiago (from US$ 300 per person).
Duration of the flight: 2.5 – 3 hours (with stopover in Puerto Montt).

What the trip includes/excludes
Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.
The trip price includes: Accommodations and meals as stated in the itinerary aboard M/V Noctiluca, services of naturalist guide, airport transfers from Balmaceda to Puerto Aysen plus park entrance fees.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights, tipping, travel insurance, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Tour Registration
To register for this tour, complete our registration form. In return we will send you a trip deposit invoice (US$ 750 per person) that can be paid by credit card (using our secure payment system) or by wire transfer to our US Bank Account. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

Cancellation Policy
Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 250 is refundable.
If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.
If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.
This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.

Vessel

The Vessel

M/V Noctiluca
See photo gallery here:

Constructed between 2005 and 2007, Noctiluca is a 57-foot motor yacht named after the luminous plankton that abounds in Patagonian waters. The ship was constructed using a unique Patagonian wood (cipres de las Guaitecas) used for centuries by the maritime chiloe seagoing culture. Blending the traditional artwork of experienced Chiloe boat builders with the latest technology in boat design, safety and interior finishing, Noctiluca offers a cosy wooden interior and comfortable cabins as well as safety and reliability. The ship features two double guest cabins (lower double berth and upper single berth) and a front cabin with four single beds. All sharing two heads (bathrooms) roomy with hot water and showers. The yacht is handled by a skilled crew and captain with decades of experience in Patagonian waters.

Specifications

Accommodations
Length: 57 ft (17 mts)
Beam: 16 ft (5 mts)
Engine: 325 HP Turbo
Cruising Speed: 10 knots
Diesel: 3200 litres (850 US gallons)
Water: 1800 litres (475 gallons)
Electricity: 12/24volts and 220volts
Boats: 5-mt (16-ft) wooden dinghy and 3.5 mt (11.5 ft) semi-rigid RIB Zodiac
Communications systems: VHF, HF & Iridium Satellite Phone
2 Life Rafts

2 double cabins with double bed plus single
1 bow cabin with 4 single beds
2 bathrooms with hot water showers
Interior saloon room with fire place/DVD/ Sound system /refrigerator
Covered exterior deck
Bridge with chart table and
Separate cabins and bathroom for crew
Galley

Gallery

Photo Gallery

Check out our photo gallery with the wildlife and landscapes of our trip Blue Whales of Chiloe Island.

Checklist

Field Checklist

Birds and Mammals possible to be seen during this expedition.

MAMMALS

Rorqual Whales | Balaenopteridae
Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus
Humpback Whale Megaptera novaengliae

Dolphins | Delphinidae
Peale’s Dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis
Chilean Dolphin Cephalorhynchus eutropia

Mustelids | Mustelidae
Marine Otter Lontra felina

Eared Seals | Otariidae
South American Sea Lion Otaria byronia
Southern Fur Seal Arctocephalus australis

BIRDS

Penguins | Spheniscidae
Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus

Grebes | Podicipedidae
Great Grebe Podicephorus major

Albatrosses | Diomedeidae
Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi
Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris

Shearwaters & Petrels | Procellariidae
Antarctic Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus
Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides
White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis
Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus

Storm-Petrels | Hydrobatidae
Unnamed Storm-Petrel Oceanites sp. (nova sp.)
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Diving-Petrels | Pelecanoididae
Magellanic Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides magellani
Pelicans | Pelecanidae
Peruvian Pelican Pelecanus thagus

Gannets & Boobies | Sulidae
Peruvian Booby Sula variegata

Cormorants | Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Rock Shag Phalacrocorax magellanicus
Guanay Cormorant Phalacrocorax bougainvillii
Imperial Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps
Red-legged Cormorant Phalacrocorax gaimardi

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns | Ardeidae
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Ibises & Spoonbills | Threskiornithidae
Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis

Ducks, Geese & Swans | Anatidae
Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocorypha
Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida
Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala
Flightless Steamerduck Tachyeres pteneres
Flying Steamerduck Tachyeres patachonicus
Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix
Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris
Spectacled Duck Anas specularis
Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera

New World Vultures | Cathartidae
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura

Hawks, Eagles & Kites | Accipitridae
Chilean Hawk Accipiter chilensis
Harris’ Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus
Rufous-tailed Hawk Buteo ventralis

Falcons & Caracaras | Falconidae
Southern Crested Caracara Caracara plancus
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Rails, Gallinules & Coots | Rallidae
Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus
White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera
Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata

Oystercatchers | Haematopodidae
Magellanic Oystercatcher Haematopus leucopodus
Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

Plovers & Lapwings | Charadriidae
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus
Rufous-chested Dotterel Charadrius modestus

Sandpipers & Allies | Scolopacidae
South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Surfbird Aphriza virgata
Red Knot Calidris canutus
Sanderling Calidris alba

Skuas & Jaegers | Stercoraridae
Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis

Gulls | Laridae
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis
Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan
Elegant Tern Sterna elegans
South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
Snowy-crowned Tern Sterna trudeaui

Skimmers | Rhynchopidae
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger

Doves & Pigeons | Columbidae
Rock Dove Columba livia
Chilean Pigeon Columba araucana
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata

Parrots, Macaws & Allies | Psittacidae
Austral Parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus
Slender-billed Parakeet (E) Enicognathus leptorhynchus

Barn Owls | Tytonidae
Barn Owl Tyto alba

Typical Owls | Strigidae
Rufous-legged Owl Strix rufipes
Austral Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nanum
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Hummingbirds | Trochilidae
Green-backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes

Kingfishers | Alcedinidae
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata

Woodpeckers & Allies | Picidae
Striped Woodpecker Picoides lignarius
Chilean Flicker Colaptes pitius
Magellanic Woodpecker Campephilus magellanicus

Ovenbirds | Furnariidae
Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus
Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus
Des Murs’ Wiretail Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii
Thorn-tailed Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda
Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides
White-throated Treerunner Pygarrhichas albogularis

Tapaculos | Rhinocryptidae
Black-throated Huet-huet Pteroptochos tarnii
Chucao Tapaculo Scelorchilus rubecula
Ochre-flanked Tapaculo Eugralla paradoxa
Magellanic Tapaculo Scytalopus magellanicus

Plantcutters | Phytotomidae
Rufous-tailed Plantcutter Phytotoma rara

Tyrant Flycatchers | Tyrannidae
White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps
Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus
Patagonian Tyrant Colorhamphus parvirostris
Fire-eyed Diucon Xolmis pyrope
Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola macloviana
Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa
Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus

Swallows | Hirundinidae
Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Wagtails & Pipits | Motacillidae
Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera

Wrens | Troglodytidae
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis

Mockingbirds & Thrashers | Mimidae
Chilean Mockingbird (E) Mimus thenca

Thrushes & Allies | Turdidae
Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii

Old World Sparrows | Passeridae
House Sparrow ( I ) Passer domesticus

Siskins, Crossbills & Allies | Fringillidae
Black-chinned Siskin Carduelis barbata

Buntings, Sparrows & Allies | Emberizidae
Patagonian Sierra-Finch Phrygilus patagonicus
Common Diuca-Finch Diuca diuca
Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis

Troupials & Allies | Icteridae
Yellow-winged Blackbird Agelaius thilius
Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Austral Blackbird Curaeus curaeus