Pelagics into the Humboldt Current — Iquique

The northern Humboldt Current off Iquique is one of the most productive pelagic birding destinations in South America, distinguished by a suite of storm-petrels found nowhere else with such reliability. Albatross Birding Chile's six-hour shared-boat pelagic departs Muelle Prat at 06:30 and heads offshore into the cold upwelling-rich waters — conditions that concentrate Markham's Storm-Petrel and Elliott's Storm-Petrel in numbers exceptional by global standards. Ringed (Hornby's) Storm-Petrel, among the rarest and most sought-after tubenoses in the world, is recorded on roughly 40% of trips, making Iquique one of very few sites where it can be reliably targeted.

The diversity extends well beyond storm-petrels. Multiple albatross species are regular, including Salvin's, Black-browed, and Buller's Albatrosses alongside Northern Giant Petrel and Westland Petrel. Peruvian Diving-Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, and White-chinned Petrel complete the tubenose list, while Humboldt Penguin, Chilean Skua, and Swallow-tailed Gull add further highlights. The warmer inshore waters on return also produce close-in views of Peruvian Booby, Peruvian Pelican, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorants, and the striking Inca Tern. Trips are run by an ornithologist guide throughout the year.