Chile

Chile's extensive Pacific coastline provides exceptional pelagic birding opportunities, with trips departing from ports such as Valparaiso, Arica, and Chiloe Island. The cold Humboldt Current supports a rich marine avifauna including Stejneger's Petrel, De Filippi's Petrel, and Pink-footed Shearwater. Southern Chile offers access to subantarctic waters where Black-browed Albatross and Southern Giant-Petrel are regularly encountered.

Sub-regions

All Trips in Chile

Pelagic Trip off Arica

Far South Expeditions

Chile › Arica y Parinacota
  • Muelle Arica, Arica
  • Scheduled departures; departs 07:00, returns ~13:00 (6 hours)
  • USD 160 per person

Quest for Pincoya Storm-Petrel

Far South Expeditions

Chile › Los Lagos
  • Puerto Montt, Los Lagos
  • September–March; full-day trip, hotel pick-up 07:30
  • USD 1,650 per group (1–8 passengers)

Pelagic Trip off Punta Arenas

Far South Expeditions

Chile › Magallanes
  • Punta Arenas, Magallanes
  • December–March; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays; departs 04:00, returns ~16:30
  • USD 365 per person (group tours)

Humboldt Current Pelagic

Far South Expeditions

Chile › Valparaíso
  • Quintero / Valparaíso, Valparaíso
  • Monthly scheduled departures year-round; 6 hours, 06:30–12:30
  • USD 160 per person

Pelagics into the Humboldt Current

Albatross Birding Chile

Chile › Valparaíso
  • Pratt Port, Valparaíso
  • Second Saturday of each month year-round; departs 06:30–07:00, returns ~12:00–13:00
  • USD 160 per person

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pelagic birding trips are there in Chile?

Chile has 7 pelagic birding trips listed in the directory, spanning 5 sub-regions.

Where do pelagic trips depart from in Chile?

Pelagic trips in Chile depart from Muelle Arica, Arica, Muelle Prat, Iquique, Tarapacá, Pratt Port, Valparaíso, Puerto Montt, Los Lagos, Punta Arenas, Magallanes, Quintero / Valparaíso, Valparaíso, and Quintero, Valparaíso.

Which operators run pelagic trips in Chile?

Albatross Birding Chile, Birdwatching Chile, and Far South Expeditions operate pelagic birding trips in Chile.

What are the main pelagic birding regions in Chile?

Chile's pelagic trips are spread across Arica y Parinacota, Los Lagos, Magallanes, Tarapacá, and Valparaíso.

Further Reading

When to Go Pelagic Birding in Chile

A seasonal guide to Chile's four pelagic zones: the year-round Humboldt Current off Valparaíso, Pincoya Storm-Petrel in the Chiloé fjords, the northern frontier at Arica, and the Magellan Straits sub-Antarctic season (October–March only).

Read article →

Best Pelagic Birding Trips in Chile

A guide to Chile's best pelagic birding trips: Humboldt Current albatross runs off Valparaiso, the endemic Pincoya Storm-Petrel in Chiloé's fjords, and sub-Antarctic voyages through the Magellan Straits.

Read article →