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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingA guided tour of three islands near La Serena — hike on Isla Damas and enjoy marine wildlife including penguins and dolphins.
This tour combines hiking and sailing around three beautiful islands: Gaviotas, Choros, and Damas, each rich in marine biodiversity. You will begin with a boat trip from La Serena, which offers views of striking coastal landscapes.
On Isla Damas, you can hike through the beaches and observe the local flora, including various cacti, while keeping an eye out for Humboldt penguins, dolphins, and sea lions. The area also features historical settlements of skilled fishermen. Plan to spend a full day navigating these scenic waters and exploring the unique ecosystems of the reserve.
Reviews
As a wildlife photographer, I highly recommend Tembeta Travel for day trips to the Humboldt penguin reserves located north of La Serena, Chile. In January 2024, I booked two tours of the Damas Island and Chañaral de Aceituno reserves through Tembeta Travel, aiming to photograph all 19 species of penguins in their natural habitat. My experience was exceptional, thanks to the professionalism of Tembeta’s manager, Cristobal, and tour guide, Natalia, who both worked hard to provide ample opportunities for photographing Humboldt penguins and other marine wildlife. Each trip started with an early morning pickup at my La Serena hotel, followed by a two-hour drive to the harbor, where we boarded boats for cruises that showcased not only the Humboldt penguins but also various seabirds, sea lions, and even humpback and fin whales. I especially appreciated having an English-speaking guide since I was the only non-Spanish speaker on both tours. On the Damas Island tour, we had an hour to explore the island, walking along paths and watching the antics of newly hatched gull chicks. Before returning to La Serena, both tours included a restaurant lunch with beer, wine, and soft drink options, and I particularly enjoyed the grilled fresh fish, which was my main meal for each tour day. Overall, Tembeta Travel offered punctual transportation, friendly and professional guides, and a genuine willingness to customize the tour to meet my photographic needs. I can confidently say that Tembeta provided some of the finest local tour experiences I’ve encountered in my years of traveling internationally.
The tour was fantastic, highlighting Bottle-nose Dolphins, a Marine Otter, Sea Lions, and various birds at Isle Chañaral, amidst the wildlife of the Chilean desert. As the only non-Spanish speaker, I appreciated Natalie, our guide, who engaged with me in English from the front of the van and kindly stopped for wildlife photography opportunities, including Guanaco, Chilla, and a Chimango Caracara. On the northern island of Chañaral, we spotted an array of animals such as Bottle-nose Dolphins, Steller Sea Lions, and multiple bird species. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any penguins, likely due to the previous year's bird flu devastating their population. I was more focused on photographing wildlife than understanding the Spanish descriptions, but Natalie joined me on the boat to share key highlights. The boat trip in early November 2024 was enjoyable despite choppy waters, but sea sickness might be a concern for some. The open boat was comfortable but could be better designed for photography. The rustic town of Caleta Chañaral, where we launched, had a different vibe compared to La Serena, with some stray dogs appearing underfed. Remember to bring 500 pesos for restroom access. Lunch featured delicious grilled fish and vegetables in a town known for its olive oil production amidst the desert. I connected with some younger, English-speaking Chileans during the trip. Overall, it was a memorable experience on my first visit to Chile, and I shared wildlife photos on iNaturalist. Special thanks to Natalie for making the trip successful; I enjoyed discussing the nearby Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which she is interested in.
The boat trip itself was enjoyable, but if you're hoping to see penguins, this isn't the right choice. There used to be many on Damas Island, but due to bird flu, none were present; only two were seen on Isla Choros.
The experience was very informative and also a lot of fun. Be sure to ask the guide to pause so you can see the prehistoric plant.
We experienced a fantastic day. The boat trip was wonderful, featuring views of pelicans, penguins, sea lions, and many other birds. Afterward, we dined at Restaurant el Barco, where we had the most delicious empanadas. Our guide, Cristobal, was exceptionally helpful and well-informed.
This day trip from La Serena was fantastic. There was an abundance of wildlife to observe, including penguins, whales, and guanacos, and our guide was extremely knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
The tour was fantastic, despite a few unexpected challenges. The guide's enthusiasm kept us attentive to everything around us, from the cacti on the ground to the caracaras and jots in the sky, and from the swimming penguins in the sea to the caves where cormorants nest. For penguin enthusiasts, it's worth noting that while you can observe them in their natural habitat, the island's residents maintain a respectful distance, ensuring a remarkable experience watching them in their rightful place.
It is quite challenging to spot penguins; we might not see any at all. Additionally, we didn't visit Damascus Island but another one where landing is prohibited, possibly reducing our chances of encountering penguins.
The drive from La Serena is quite lengthy, but there's plenty to enjoy along the way. The boat tour is excellent, with a knowledgeable guide providing lots of information. However, I need to deduct a star because English support was not available, so it's essential to inquire about that if you depend on English. Aside from that, the tour is excellent.
We didn't encounter as many penguins as we had hoped, but there was a lot of other marine life to observe. The guide was outstanding, and the lunch provided was substantial.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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