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ancud chile tours

Nearby tourist attractions

Founded as a fortress in 1767 in Cape Horn, Ancud is today one of the most important attractions in Chiloe, visited by tourist from all over the world. It is the political and military capital, and it has a beautiful urban infrastructure, with typical constructions that stand out next to the most modern ones.

Información del Destino:

Historical interest zone.

January, February, November, December.

Hiking, bicycle ridings, photography.

Rainy moderate weather. This weather features rain all year long; in the interior, the temperature oscillates between day and night.

Housing, food, transportation, museum, camping.

From Santiago: Airway to El Tepual Airport in Puerto Montt. Then, land route. FromPuerto Montt: Land route, by Route 5 to Pargua. Then, seaway to Chacao.

Achao, Ancud, Caulin Bay, Chacao, Chonchi, Compu, Curaco de Velez, Dalcahue, Laitec island, Mithological and Ecologycal Park of Chiloé, Chiloé National Park, Pingüineras de Puñihuil, Brava beach, Quellón, Chepu River, Yaldad.

  • Angelmo - 82 km Castro - 67 km Chacao - 25 km Chonchi - 83 km Dalcahue - 57 km
  • Isla de Chiloé - 81 km Parque Nacional Chiloé - 56 km Puerto Montt - 84 km Puerto Montt y Angelmo - 84 km Puerto Varas - 92 km

Recommended Tour in Ancud

Puerto Varas, Chiloe and Petrohue Falls

Why book with us?

Best price without complications, best quality guaranteed, passenger service available 24/7, tours and experiences selected by experts, industry leader, 18 years of experience, tourist attractions in ancud, torres del paine and puerto natales.

THE 5 BEST Ancud Nature & Wildlife Tours

Nature & wildlife tours in ancud.

  • Nature & Wildlife Tours
  • Horseback Riding Tours
  • Kayaking & Canoeing
  • Parasailing & Paragliding
  • Hiking & Camping Tours
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Canal De Chacao
  • Santuario de Aves de Caulin
  • Islotes de Punihuil
  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

ancud chile tours

1. Puerto Montt: Full day Chiloe Island visiting Penguins in Puñihuil

ancud chile tours

2. Self Drive Experience at Chilean Lake District - 5 Days

ancud chile tours

3. Puerto Varas; Full day, Chiloe island: Ancud, Caulin and Lacuy

ancud chile tours

4. Puerto Montt: Full day Chiloe island visiting Ancud - Caulin - Lacuy

ancud chile tours

5. Full Day Ancud, Caulin and Penguin Colony

ancud chile tours

6. Chiloé por el día: Ancud y Puñihuil, PRIVADO

ancud chile tours

7. Greater Island Chiloe Tour from Puerto Varas

ancud chile tours

8. Full Day Ancud, Caulin and Penguin Colony in Private

ancud chile tours

9. Private Circuit 7 Days of Excursions Los Lagos Region Chile

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

ancud chile tours

Puerto Varas: Full Day - Peulla navigation

ancud chile tours

Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour

ancud chile tours

Coastal Villages Tour of Chiloé from Castro

ancud chile tours

Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River

ancud chile tours

From Puerto Varas, Chile To Bariloche, Argentina: Full Day

ancud chile tours

Private Day tour Petrohue Falls, Osorno Volcano & Puerto Varas

ancud chile tours

Osorno Volcano Half Day Trip from Puerto Varas

ancud chile tours

Andean Lakes Crossing Journey from Puerto Varas to Bariloche

ancud chile tours

Alerce Andino Parque Nacional.

ancud chile tours

Puerto Varas Mountain Biking Experience

ancud chile tours

Kayak through the Sunken Forest of the Maullín River

ancud chile tours

Private Day Tour Frutillar, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt

ancud chile tours

Private Cruise Shore Excursion from Puerto Montt: Land of Volcanoes

ancud chile tours

Llanquihue Lake Cirquit - Waterfalls

ancud chile tours

Solitario Hike and V . Osorno Petrohue Falls

ancud chile tours

Tour Frutillar

ancud chile tours

Private Full Day Hiking in Paso Desolación

ancud chile tours

Full Day Ascent with Certified Guide to Calbuco Volcano

  • Puerto Montt: Full day Chiloe Island visiting Penguins in Puñihuil
  • Full Day Ancud, Caulin and Penguin Colony
  • Full Day Ancud, Caulin and Penguin Colony in Private
  • Puerto Montt: Full day Chiloe island visiting Ancud - Caulin - Lacuy
  • Puerto Varas; Full day, Chiloe island: Ancud, Caulin and Lacuy
  • Pinguineras
  • Ecoturismo Punihuil
  • Chiloe Austral
  • Chiloe Turismo Verde
  • Austral Adventures

ancud chile tours

excursions in Ancud Chiloé

The mystic island of Chiloé is treasure of hidden, beautiful places. Many of our guests extend their stay to go on exploring Chiloé.

We at Hostal Mundo Nuevo love our island and we glady share our knowledge with you and help you plan your day excursions.

Guided tours

Book your tour directly at our reception. The tour will be operated by an external agency.

PEnguin colony

Penguin Colony Puñihuil Ancud Chiloe

The penguin colonies of the island Puñihuil are unique due to the fact that it is worldwide the only spot where Humboldt and Magellan penguins nest in the same place. Along with the penguins sea lions, dolphins and sea birds share beaches and sea of this remote island.

* Duration ca. 3.5h

* September - March

Whale watching

Whale watching in Ancud

Enjoy the unique experience of whale watching in Ancud. Observe blue whales, humpback whales and other species almost on eye level and in reach directly from the boat. 

* Duration ca. 4h

* On boat ca. 3h

Kayak tour sunken forest

Kayak Tour Chepú river Ancud

This kayak tour following the river Chepú allows us to paddle through a sunken forest - a forest submerged during the 1960's earthquake and tsunami. This paddeling tour is a 100% mystic Chiloé experience.

* Duration approx. 5h 

* Thereof paddeling approx. 3h

Kayak tour San Antonio river

Kayaking in Ancud Rio San Antonio

The river San Antonio has very quiet waters and therefor is ideal for family excursions or for anybody without paddeling experience.

* Duration approx. 4h

* Thereof paddeling approx. 2.5 - 3h

Explore the surroundings of Ancud on your own. But if you prefer guided tours, we can organized all these excursions with an external agency. Just come to the reception.

Exlporing Ancud Chiloé

Ancud, situated at the Chacao channel, is the second largest city of Chiloe. Once its harbour was a strategic important hub for boats exlporing the Patagonian channels and navigating North after crossing the Cap Horn. Today, Ancud is a small, straightforward city dedicated to fishing. Fort, market, harbour and the well done museum offering deep insights into the culture and history of Chiloé are only some of its attractions. 

Discovering Castro Chiloé

During the 1960's earthquake Castro was severly damaged. Meanwhile the typical stelt house have been rebuilt. Together with the UNESCO world heritage wooden churches the "palafitos" are the main attraction of Castro. These churches were once built by boat constructors and Castro still preservers this art of wood crafting.

Peninsula lacuy

Excursion to peninsula Lacuy

Remote beaches, lonly bays and spread fisher villages are the caracteristics of the penisnula Lacuy. It's the ideal place to relaxe and slow down.

santuario de aves

Bird watching at Santuario de aves Caulin

At the beach of Caulin you can observe many different sea and land birds.  During winter it's the resting place for flamingos traveling from the North of Chile to this calm bay.

Mountain Bikes

Mountain bike rental at Hostal Mundo Nuevo Ancud

Rental for 24h: CLP 12'000

Rental per day: CLP10'000

Rental for 3h: CLP 7'000

Helmet, repair kit, pump and bike lock are included in the rental price.

Get more information and tips where to cycle directly at our reception.

Kayak rental at Hostal Mundo Nuevo Ancud

Rental per day 1-person kayak: CLP 15'000

Rental for 4h 1-person kayak: CLP 10'000

More information directly at our reception.

  • Volver arriba

A small tree and wooden fence at a viewpoint overlooking the ocean and green pastures on Chiloé Island, Chile.

Travel guide to Chiloé, Chile: What to do on this windswept gem of an island

Some links on this page may be affiliate links. That means if you follow one, see something you like, and purchase it, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. For more information, see this site's disclosures .

If you’re looking for a beautiful, chill, and somewhat off-the-beaten-path destination in Chile, I have just the place for you. May I present Chiloé Island – not exactly a secret, but often not included on Chile itineraries of just a week or two.

Small bay surrounded by green cliffs and rocky beaches on Chiloé Island, Chile.

The island is incredibly beautiful, with rolling hills and green pastures overlooking gorgeous coastline. With elements of both Chono and Huilliche culture, Chiloé also has strong local customs and traditions that are distinct from those of the mainland.

The best things to do on Chiloé Island

Chiloé is actually an archipelago. The main island, Isla Grande, has two major towns – Ancud and Castro . Both towns make a great base for exploring the nearby sights. (See the section on where to stay for my thoughts on why you may prefer one over the other.)

Chiloé is interesting for its unique culture and history as well as its natural beauty and wildlife. You can visit a penguin colony, explore a national park, try traditional food, and visit a number of historical landmarks on the archipelago. 

Visit the penguin colony at Puñihuil

One of the most popular places to visit on Chiloé Island is the penguin colony on the the Islotes de Puñihuil.

Two Humboldt penguins on the rocky Islotes de Puñihuil on Chiloé Island.

The islets, located about 45 minutes from Ancud by car, are a national monument and a protected wildlife refuge. Notably, they are home to both Humboldt and Magellanic penguins. Chile is the only place in the world where these two species are known to live together.

From your departure point on the beach, a boat will take you around the islets to observe the penguin colony. Note that you cannot get off the boat and walk around, so you’ll have to observe from a bit of a distance. You can also spot other birds, otters, and even whales if you’re lucky! 

A boat floating in the waves next to the Islotes de Puñihuil.

The penguins are adorable, and the scenery is stunning. The drive to Puñihuil from Ancud gives you a great taste of Chiloé’s landscape. The road winds along the coast, with rocky cliffs to your right and green hills to your left. 

Visit Chiloé’s distinctive, UNESCO-recognized wooden churches

After the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500s, Jesuit missionaries attempted to evangelize the local Chilote population for the next few centuries. As part of their efforts, they built over 150 churches across the archipelago. 

These churches are of both historical and architectural significance. They are made almost entirely of wood – from the exterior walls to the carvings surrounding the altar. Local shipbuilders, fishermen, and craftspeople constructed the churches with the naturally abundant timber of the islands. Of the sixty or so churches that remain in this style, sixteen are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

The yellow, purple, and pink facade of the Church of San Francisco in Castro, one of 16 UNESCO-recognized wooden churches in Chiloé.

If you don’t want to book a tour, you can visit some of the churches fairly easily by bus, but just be prepared for it to take a while. From Castro (which has its own pastel-colored church), you can head north to see the church in Dalcahue and then take a ferry and bus to Achao on Quinchao Island. In the other direction, south of Castro, you can take a bus to Nercón and Chonchi .

If you’d like to see more than one or two of them, a tour or a car is much more practical. 

Visit Achao on Quinchao Island

The island of Quinchao makes for an interesting side trip from Castro. Achao, the largest town on the island, has a small but very nice artisanal market right next to the beach. This is a great place to pick up some souvenirs – or some warmer clothing if you are heading south to Torres del Paine . 

Looking out over the town of Achao next to the ocean on Quinchao Island.

Classic Chilote crafts include woven scarves, hats, and sweaters as well as wooden carvings. You can shop for souvenirs at craft markets around the island. Two of the best are this one and the one in Dalcahue (where you will take the ferry to reach Quinchao). 

A few blocks away, the Iglesia de Santa María de Loreto (often referred to simply as the Iglesia de Achao ) is the oldest of Chiloé’s UNESCO-recognized churches. 

Achao also hosts two festivals in February, the  Encuentro Folclórico de las Islas del Archipiélago  and the Muestra Gastronómica y Artesanal, in case that coincides with your visit. The festivals – celebrating local music, food, and art – run concurrently. 

The exterior of the Iglesia de Achao, the oldest of the 16 UNESCO-recognized Chiloé churches.

To reach Quinchao, take a bus from Castro to Dalcahue, about half an hour to the north. From Dalcahue, you’ll take a short ferry to Quinchao, continuing by bus to Achao. 

Go hiking in Chiloé National Park

This large national park on the west side of the island is a protected area of Valdivian temperate rainforest. It has rivers, lakes, birds, empty beaches, sea lions, sand dunes, and several small indigenous communities.

You can reach the Cucao-Chanquín entrance to the park by bus from Castro. The journey takes a little over an hour with a change in Chonchi. (If you’re driving yourself, this is still the recommended entrance. There is another one closer to Ancud near Chepu, but most of the hiking trails start from the southern entrance near Cucao.)

There are a number of easy trails of an hour or less near the entrance. Longer trails include the hike to beautiful Cole Cole Beach, but note that this trail takes 5-6 hours  one way . (Also note that I have read stories of knee-to-waist-deep water along the way.) You’ll need to leave Castro as early as possible if you want to go there and back in one day. There is also an option to camp on the beach! 

You can see a list of the trails and their distances on the  CONAF website . 

Try curanto, a traditional Chilote meal

If you don’t eat meat or seafood, you should skip this (unless you find it interesting enough to just watch and not eat). 

Curanto is the most famous dish in Chiloé. It consists of shellfish, chicken, pork, sausage, and potatoes cooked over a pit of hot stones. The mussels and clams are placed as the bottom layer, so that when they heat up, the juice is released from their shells and used to steam the rest of the meat. The entire pit is covered with nalca (Chilean giant rhubarb) leaves. 

Local Chilote family preparing curanto, the most famous dish in Chiloé, in a pit of hot stones.

I went on a tour with a group of travelers from my hostel. We watched the curanto being prepared and cooked by a local family, and after a few hours we all ate together in their small restaurant. (I later learned that traditional curanto can take a day to cook, so I’m not actually sure if the meal we ate was the same meal we saw prepared.)

There is a similar dish, known as pulmay, which is cooked in cast-iron pots rather than a pit. 

Go birdwatching in the Chepu Valley

The Chepu Valley wetlands are a popular place for kayaking and fishing, but they are most well-known for birding. The wetlands were formed in 1960, when the Valdivia earthquake (the most powerful ever recorded at 9.4 – 9.6, depending on who you ask) unleashed a tsunami that flooded the coastal forest.

Where should you stay in Chiloé?

Ancud is located on Chiloé’s north coast, just 30 minutes from Chacao (where most people will arrive on Chiloé by ferry). 

Houses overlooking the ocean in Ancud.

Castro is about 60-90 minutes south of Ancud. 

Both Ancud and Castro have good accommodation options and are well-served by long distance buses. 

Ancud is closer to the Islotes de Puñihuil and Chiloé National Park. From Castro, on the other hand, you can travel more easily to the different islands off the east coast by bus and ferry. 

In Ancud, you can visit Fuerte San Antonio , the last Spanish stronghold during the wars of independence.

🛏️ Where to stay in Ancud

13 Lunas Hostel : This place is just lovely – one of my favorite hostels ever. Not flashpacker-y or fancy, but homey and comfortable, with great vibes all around. The dorms are clean and spacious, and the common areas are great for meeting other people. It’s an easy walk to Ancud’s sights, and they also offer tour options. 

Hospedaje Palena : Large, comfortable rooms and a homey vibe. Helpful and welcoming hosts. Great location just a few minutes from the fort and the beach. 

Bit of a splurge

Hotel y Cabañas Terrazas Vista al Mar : Beautiful wooden cabins looking out over the ocean. Better if you’re renting a car, as it’s a bit of a walk to town and restaurants. 

In Castro, make sure to check out the Iglesia de San Francisco and the colorful stilt houses along the waterfront. These houses, known as  palafitos , were traditionally the homes of local fisherman. (Increasingly now, they have been transformed into restaurants and guesthouses.)

Palafitos, which are wooden houses on stilts, reflect in the water in Castro.

🛏️ Where to stay in Castro

La Minga Hostel : Dorms and private rooms in an excellent location. Within easy walking distance of Castro’s sights, restaurants, and cafés. Helpful staff, comfy beds, and good common areas for meeting other travelers. 

Globertrotters : Comfortable, clean rooms with shared bathrooms in a lovely house. The walls are covered with beautiful local artwork. Homey vibes with a helpful host and use of the shared kitchen. Great location around the corner from Castro’s central market. 

Hostal Torre de Babel : Cozy, comfy rooms with shared bathrooms in a central location. Shared kitchen and large common area with a fireplace. Kind and attentive hosts. 10 minutes on foot to the bus station and the Iglesia de San Francisco. 

Alma Chilota : Gorgeous B&B in a wooden  palafito  on the water. Beautiful views from common areas (and some of the rooms). Kind hosts and a great location to boot.

Both Ancud and Castro have great central markets to explore. If you are visiting in February, note that Castro hosts a large festival celebrating Chilote culture in the middle of the month. You may want to stay there to be in the center of the action, or you may prefer to visit for the day and retreat to peaceful Ancud. 

How to get to Chiloé Island (and the best way to travel around)

The two best ways to see all of Chiloé’s major attractions are to a) rent a car or b) book tours for the sights and activities that interest you. By renting a car, you have the freedom to explore on your own schedule. With a tour, you’ll get the additional perspective of a guide who can offer information about the history and culture of the island. 

Green hills dotted with farmland on the main island, Isla Grande de Chiloé.

Bus travel around the island is possible but a little slow. I stayed in Ancud and traveled to Castro and Quinchao independently by bus. The bus and ferry schedules were such that I was only able to fit in a fraction of what I could have by renting a car or taking a tour. Live and learn! 

Getting to Chiloé by bus

From Puerto Montt, you can reach Ancud by bus in about two hours. Buses then continue to Castro, which takes an additional hour to an hour and a half.  

There are overnight buses from Santiago that take about 15 hours to Ancud and 16.5 to Castro. To get to Chiloé from elsewhere in Chile, travel to Puerto Montt first (by bus or plane) and then change to a bus bound for Chiloé.

Traveling by plane from Santiago

You can fly from Santiago directly to Mocopulli Airport, which is about half an hour north of Castro. 

Colorful wooden houses on stilts, known as "palafitos," in Castro, Chile.

You could also fly to Puerto Montt and rent a car there , especially if you’d like to drive to other sights around the Lake District. (Even if you only plan to visit Chiloé with your rental, Puerto Montt is still your best bet. There will be many more options there and better rates than you’ll find in smaller towns.)

Alternatively, grab a shuttle to the bus station and travel by bus as outlined above. 

Ferries to Chiloé Island

If you’re coming from the north by bus or car, you’ll take a ferry from Pargua to Chacao.

There is another ferry that runs between Chaitén and Castro. It takes about six hours, but that will still save you quite a bit of time compared to traveling the long way through Puerto Montt. It’s a good option if you’re coming from that part of Patagonia.

How long should you spend on Chiloé Island?

To do everything on this list with your own transportation, you’ll need at least three days in Chiloé. 

You can do a curanto tour and visit Chiloé’s penguins on the same day. Driving around to explore all of the famous wooden churches, as well as some of the local craft markets, will take the better part of a full day as well. You’ll also probably find that Castro is worth visiting if you are staying in Ancud, and vice versa. Finally, you’ll have a third day for the national park and/or Chepu. 

Hilltop viewpoint overlooking lakes and the ocean on Isla Grande de Chiloé.

If you are relying on tours or prefer a slower pace, I would try to budget an additional day. If some the activities above don’t really appeal to you, adjust accordingly! 

It’s also possible to book full-day tours of Chiloé Island from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas if you’re short on time. You won’t be able to fit in as much as you would if you stayed a few days, but you’ll still be able to experience some of Chiloé’s highlights with all of the logistics taken care of for you.

If you go this route, you’ll generally need to choose between the northern side of the island near Ancud and the eastern coast surrounding Castro. For example, one option is to visit Ancud and the penguin colony at Puñihuil. Another takes you to the other side of Chiloé , where you’ll visit a number of churches and see the famous  palafito  stilt houses in Castro.

Final thoughts on visiting Chiloé Island

The beautiful and unique island of Chiloé was one of my favorite destinations in Chile, and probably one of favorite destinations of all time. 

This tranquil, windswept island was the perfect place to break up my time in the outdoor adventure capitals of Pucón and Puerto Varas. (Yes, I went a little out of my way. It was worth it for a few relaxing days between some pretty tough hikes, including a trek up the side of a volcano .) 

I truly hope you enjoy this place as much as I did!

More on traveling in Chile

The best places to visit in Chile: A first-time itinerary

Solo hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine

Climbing Villarrica Volcano in Pucón, Chile

Best street art tours in Valparaíso

A guide to visiting the Atacama Desert in Chile’s far north

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Tours: Ancud

Ancud is one of the most important cities of Chiloe. It receives hundreds of tourists who come to visit the South of Chile. This city is the gateway to the island of Chiloé, has rectangular shape and is surrounded by sea on three sides, while the fourth is bordered by Dalcahue and Quemchi.

The best of Puerto Varas and Chiloé - Full

The best of Puerto Varas and Chiloé - Full 5 Days

In this travel package you will learn the best of Puerto Varas and Chiloe in 5 days. We will visit Frutillar and Puerto Octay and we are going to travel to Castro, in Chiloé island, famous by their color houses and markets. Also we…

  • Physical Very low
  • Cultural Very high
  • Nature Very high
  • Nightlife N/A

The best of Chiloé - Full

The best of Chiloé - Full 7 Days

The Chiloé Island has hundreds of spectacular corners, and in this program, we have selected the most beautiful ones for you to discover during your journey through southern Chile.

  • Physical N/A

Tour to Chiloé, Castro and Dalcahue - from Puerto Varas

Tour to Chiloé, Castro and Dalcahue - from Puerto Varas 12 Hours

Chiloé Island is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Region of Los Lagos. It is characterized by its strong religiosity, wool, wood and pottery crafts. Come to meet Castro, Ancud and Dalcahue, which are the main cities…

  • Nature Medium

Tour to the Puñihuil penguins Colonies - departures from Puerto Varas

Tour to the Puñihuil penguins Colonies - departures from Puerto Varas 10 Hours

Every year, in November, hundreds of penguins arrive to nest in the northern part of the island of Chiloé, and this full day tour will take you to know them.

  • Cultural N/A

Sailing to Puñihuil penguins

Sailing to Puñihuil penguins Full day

Between december and february, the offspring of dozens of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins, gathered in the Islotes de Puñihuil Natural Monument, begin to be born. The navigation also allows you to see other marine species.

Find a tour

  • Less than a day
  • More than a day
  • Birdwatching
  • Culture and History
  • Sightseeing
  • Wildlife Watching

Tour comparison

Go Patagonic

Visit the penguin colony of Puñihuil, a natural monument

Visiting the penguin colony of Puñihuil is one of the things you can’t miss if you travel to Chiloé Island.

🔎 Check here the guide to travel to Chiloe Island .

If you’re touring the big island of Chiloé there are plenty of places to see. Especially in high season, one of the things you can’t miss is a visit to the Puñihuil penguin colony , located on the northwest coast of the island. Here is all the information you need to plan your visit.

Puñihuil are three rocky islets off the coast , declared a Natural Monument in 1999 to protect the breeding colony of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins. Seabirds and other animals are often seen here.

🔎 Check here the top 5 things to do in Chiloe Island .

Table of Contents

Getting to the Puñihuil penguin colony

If you are going to visit the Puñihuil penguin colony, there are different options to get there:

  • By own car or rental car : in this case you should drive along the road to Ancud and then take the W20 and W220 route. It is about 26 kilometres in total from Ancud to Puñihuil and it takes about 40 minutes to get there.

🚗 Check here if you want to rent a car in Puerto Montt to visit Chiloe Island .

  • By public bus : there is also the option of taking a public bus from Ancud to Puñihuil or making the combination Puerto Montt/Ancud/Puñihuil.
  • Hiring an excursion : in this case the excursions can be done in the day from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas (outside the island) or from Castro or Ancud (if you are already on the island). In addition to the penguin colony, the city of Ancud is usually visited.

ancud chile tours

How is the excursion to visit the Puñihuil penguin colony?

The excursion to visit the Puñihuil penguin colony can be booked on site , if you arrive by car, or also from Ancud, Castro, Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas in a day trip that includes additional tours.

📷 Check out these excursions to visit the Puñihuil Natural Monument with its penguin colony from: – Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt – Ancud – Castro

If you go there on your own, there are many daily departures , up to 15 per day, so if you arrive by car there is no need to book.

The excursion consists of a half-hour boat trip around the islets where the penguin colonies are located. A guide is on board to explain the breeding and rearing of the penguins.

Visit the penguin colony of Puñihuil

Best time to visit the Puñihuil penguin colony

The best time to visit the Puñihuil penguin colony is from early October to mid-March . At the beginning of October the penguins start to arrive for breeding and around January they have their chicks, and then move out to sea at the end of March.

Admission fee to visit the Natural Monument of the Puñihuil Islets

The entrance to the Monumento Natural de los Islotes de Puñihuil i s free of charge .

But to see the penguins on the islets it is necessary to go on board a boat and then hire an excursion as mentioned above.

Location (map)

Visit the penguin colony of Puñihuil, a natural monument

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Chiloe Island Penguin Colony

ancud chile tours

Top ways to experience Chiloe Island Penguin Colony and nearby attractions

ancud chile tours

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Beth S

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  • (1.46 mi) Vertientes De Pumillahue
  • (1.55 mi) Cabaña matrimonial Ancud, Chiloé
  • (7.49 mi) Cabanas Arrayanes
  • (7.96 mi) Unique Beach House on Chiloe Island
  • (0.49 mi) Costa Pacifico
  • (0.58 mi) Restaurant Bahía Puñihuil
  • (1.52 mi) Restaurant Piedra-Run
  • (2.00 mi) Cafetería Run
  • (3.00 mi) Café Luz de Luna

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  1. Ancud, Chile

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  5. 10 cosas que hacer en Ancud, Chile

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  6. Ancud "Historia y Bordemar"

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COMMENTS

  1. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Ancud

    By 202tedb. Nice little museum in Ancud, very little info in English, but really good displays. However, the driving tour of the... See way to experience (1) 4. Playa Lechagua. 33. Beaches. 5.

  2. THE 10 BEST Ancud Tours & Excursions for 2024 (with Prices)

    These experiences are best for tours in Ancud: Puerto Montt: Full day at Chiloé Island, Castro and Dalcahue; Puerto Montt: Full day Chiloe Island visiting Penguins in Puñihuil; Full Day Ancud, Caulin and Penguin Colony; Full Day Ancud, Caulin and Penguin Colony in Private; 5-Day Tour Chile & North Patagonia; See more tours in Ancud on Tripadvisor

  3. Chiloé Island: Ancud & Puñihuil

    Tour the northern part of the Chiloé Island to get to know a Penguin Colony of Humbolt and Magellanic Penguin, and visit Ancud and the town of Caulín. ... because they migrate after summer in Chile. Then, we will continue our tour to the Isla Grande de Chiloé (Great Island of Chiloé) passing by Mar Brava, a large lonely beach from where we ...

  4. THE 10 BEST Ancud Tours & Excursions (from £48)

    10. Greater Island Chiloe Tour from Puerto Varas. Full-day Tours. 10-12 hours. Take advantage of our tour to Chiloé from Puerto Varas to learn more about the customs of this magical island that, due …. from. £340. per adult. 11.

  5. Ancud, Pinguineras Piñihuil and Campo Chilote Full Day Tour 2024

    Take this small group (max 12) guided trip from Puerto Varas, and explore the natural beauty, agriculture, and wildlife of Ancud, Pinguineras Puñihuil and Campo Chilote. You'll visit the market in Ancud to see local Chilotan products, then to Puhihiul beach for a boatride to see the penguins and other sea life. Then get to Puerto Elvira for a gentle forest walk, followed by a lunch with ...

  6. Ancud

    Know Ancud. Founded as a fortress in 1767 in Cape Horn, Ancud is today one of the most important attractions in Chiloe, visited by tourist from all over the world. It is the political and military capital, and it has a beautiful urban infrastructure, with typical constructions that stand out next to the most modern ones.

  7. Ancud

    What to do in Ancud. These are the best day tours in Ancud. Tour to Chiloé, Castro and Dalcahue - from Puerto Varas 12 Hours. Chiloé Island is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Region of Los Lagos. It is characterized by its strong religiosity,… See Tour; From CLP $ 47.500 per person; From US$ 63 per person

  8. Tour Isla Chiloé: Ancud and islotes de Puñihuil

    What you will visit: 1 Puñihuil. 2 Puerto Montt. 3 Puerto Varas. 4 Ancud. 5 Chiloé Island. Embark on an unforgettable adventure on Chiloé Island with our excursion to Ancud, Caulin, and the Puñihuil Penguin Colonies. Discover the natural and marine richness, admire the beauty of penguins in their habitat, and enjoy the serenity of Caulin.

  9. Premium Full Day Tour to Chiloe, Ancud and Pinguin Colony

    This tour was well organized, Ms.Marilda Villatoro was excellent and coordinated from day one, greatly appreciated! Transportation, transfer, tours and etc. all well prepared. Compared with 13-day Patagonia trip arranged by Say Haquye of Argentina agent, Chile tour agent is much much better.

  10. THE 5 BEST Ancud Nature & Wildlife Tours (Updated 2024)

    Greater Island Chiloe Tour from Puerto Varas. Full-day Tours. 10-12 hours. Take advantage of our tour to Chiloé from Puerto Varas to learn more about the customs of this magical island that, due …. from. £334. per adult. 8. Full Day Ancud, Caulin and Penguin Colony in Private.

  11. Excursions

    This kayak tour following the river Chepú allows us to paddle through a sunken forest - a forest submerged during the 1960's earthquake and tsunami. This paddeling tour is a 100% mystic Chiloé experience. ... Ancud, Chiloé, Chile [email protected] ...

  12. Puerto Varas: Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Ancud

    Tour Inclusions and Departure Details. Embark on an immersive full-day tour of Chiloè Island from Puerto Varas. Travelers can expect a comprehensive exploration of the island's highlights with inclusive hotel pick-up, ferry transport, guided visits to Chacao and Castro, and a tour of the Ancud Museum. Tour highlights include opportunities to indulge in the island's unique local cuisine ...

  13. 9 Best Things to Do, See, and Eat on Chiloé Island in Chile

    Visit the penguin colony at Puñihuil. One of the most popular places to visit on Chiloé Island is the penguin colony on the the Islotes de Puñihuil. You can see penguins near Puñihuil beach. The islets, located about 45 minutes from Ancud by car, are a national monument and a protected wildlife refuge.

  14. Tours: Ancud

    Tours: Ancud. Home. Tours. Ancud. Ancud is one of the most important cities of Chiloe. It receives hundreds of tourists who come to visit the South of Chile. This city is the gateway to the island of Chiloé, has rectangular shape and is surrounded by sea on three sides, while the fourth is bordered by Dalcahue and Quemchi. ...

  15. Chiloe Island

    Rafting Futaleufu River Bridge to Bridge Section. 23. from $99.00. Chile, Central & South America. Trips from Pucón to Huilo Huilo and Puerto Fuy. 18. from $100.00. Chile, Central & South America. 1-Hour Private Tour Flying Over the Villarrica Volcano.

  16. Visit the penguin colony of Puñihuil, a natural monument

    The excursion to visit the Puñihuil penguin colony can be booked on site, if you arrive by car, or also from Ancud, Castro, Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas in a day trip that includes additional tours. Check out these excursions to visit the Puñihuil Natural Monument with its penguin colony from: - Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt - Ancud - Castro

  17. Austral Adventures

    We did a 3 week Southern Chile Self Drive tour with my two sons and was an adventure of a life time. We booked the tour through Britt Lewis from Austral Adventures and was a absolute pleasure, everything organised and went like clock work, included accommodation, breakfasts, vehicle hire, ferries, airport transfers and domestic flights.

  18. Premium Full Day Tour to Chiloe, Ancud and Pinguin Colony

    Spend the day with the penguins, strolling the markets, and visiting several towns on this day tour to Chiloe and Ancud. You'll be keeping costs down by booking this small group tour, yet you'll still have an intimate experience on the tour. Your guide will point out national landmarks, explain the history, and tell you all about the penguins on this day tour.

  19. Penguin Colony & Coastal Hike

    This tour begins at 9:00 AM at our office in Ancud or your hotel. Short historical-natural history talk before heading into the rolling countryside of the island. You and your bilingual guide will decide what interests you most about the day's possibilities, which can include a mixture of birding in the Quilo wetlands, beach walks, visits to the 18th century Spanish Fort Ahui or the Lighthouse ...

  20. Puerto Varas to Chiloe Island, Castro and Ancud Full-Day Tour 2024

    Discover the unique history and heritage of one of Chile's largest islands on this full-day tour to Chiloè Island, including hotel pick-up from Puerto Varas and round-trip transport by ferry from Pargua. Visit the historic village of Chacao, explore the island capital of Castro and tour the Ancud Museum. Finally, pick up some unique souvenirs as you browse the stalls of the renowned ...

  21. All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

    The penguin colony on Chiloe Island is a great way to see these amazing creatures. We took an afternoon tour from Ancud which drove us down to the colony. Here we boarded a small boat and were taken on a 40 minute tour to see the Humbolt and Magellan penguins in their habitat. We were also able to see an otter and diverse bird life.

  22. Chiloé Island Highlights Full-Day Tour from Puerto Montt (Mar ...

    Not having my tour with Ruta Chile. My original tour pickup time was 8.30, then the day before it was changed to 7.30, which I confirmed. All this was by email. ... Puerto Montt: Full day Chiloe island visiting Ancud - Caulin - Lacuy. 5. 12 hours. Free Cancellation. From. $78.21. Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt. 0. 4 hours. Free ...

  23. Puerto Montt to Chiloe Island Private Full-Day Penguin Tour 2024

    See penguins in the wild, visit UNESCO-listed historical sites, and ride a boat across the Chacao Canal on this private tour to Chiloé Island from Puerto Montt. An ideal orientation of the area for first-time visitors, this tour makes it easy to see top sights in Chiloé Island such as the penguins of Puñihuil and the cities of Ancud and Castro in just one day, plus provides plenty of ...