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
- Muelle Arica, Arica
- Scheduled departures; departs 07:00, returns ~13:00 (6 hours)
- USD 160 per person
Birding Expedition to Islas Desventuradas
Far South Expeditions
- Caldera, Atacama
- Selected expedition departures; multi-day ocean voyage aboard sailing yacht Vegvisir (52.5ft); maximum 6 participants
- Price on request — contact for current expedition rates
Quest for Pincoya Storm-Petrel
Far South Expeditions
- 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
- Punta Arenas, Magallanes
- December–March; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays; departs 04:00, returns ~16:30
- USD 365 per person (group tours)
Pelagics into the Humboldt Current — Iquique
Albatross Birding Chile
- Muelle Prat, Iquique, Tarapacá
- Scheduled dates year-round; departs 06:30, returns ~12:30 (6 hours)
- USD 180 per person
Humboldt Current Pelagic
Far South Expeditions
- Quintero / Valparaíso, Valparaíso
- Monthly scheduled departures year-round; 6 hours, 06:30–12:30
- USD 160 per person
Pelagic Trips to the Humboldt Current
Birdwatching Chile
- Quintero, Valparaíso
- Bi-monthly scheduled dates year-round; 5–6 hours
- USD 120 per person
Pelagics into the Humboldt Current
Albatross Birding Chile
- Pratt Port, Valparaíso
- Second Saturday of each month year-round; departs 06:30–07:00, returns ~12:00–13:00
- USD 160 per person
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 →Where to See Albatrosses on Pelagic Birding Trips
A guide to where to see albatrosses on pelagic trips worldwide, including Chile's Humboldt Current pelagics from Valparaíso for Salvin's, Black-browed, Buller's, and Northern Royal Albatrosses, plus vast Black-browed Albatross numbers in the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel.
Read article →Explore Other Regions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pelagic birding trips are there in Chile?
Chile has 8 pelagic birding trips listed in the directory, spanning 6 sub-regions.
Where do pelagic trips depart from in Chile?
Pelagic trips in Chile depart from Caldera, Atacama, 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, Atacama, Los Lagos, Magallanes, Tarapacá, and Valparaíso.