Isla Cachagua

Isla Cachagua

Isla Cachagua
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
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Top ways to experience Isla Cachagua

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.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles63 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
17
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
0

LookingForFamilyFun
Houston, TX1,737 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We have a penguin lover among us and they really wanted to check off this last land-based without going to antarctica or a research island species from their list. There was a boat trip option, but it comes not from the beach, but around the 'corner' and it is lengthy and really rough in the swells even on a calm day. You can't go on the island, so your option for closer photos (if you can hold on to your camera) is bouncing up and down in the waves! Definitely not for those prone to motion sickness! We opted for digiscoping with our binoculars and phone from the nearby beach, which is lovely in itself and came out with some discernible photos...although it's not the Falklands!

Our stop here was part of the pirates, penguins, and alpaca tour offered by Chile Dreams, which we highly recommend!
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LouC151
Toronto, Canada533 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Solo
It was a pleasant surprise to see penguins this far up north in Chile! This unique island reserve is full of Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and cactus-like plants. I joined a tour company who hired local fishers to take me on a boat tour to visit the island. The island itself is off limit to the general public, but tour boats can get very close to the island shoreline to see the wildlife up close. There were dozens if not hundreds of penguin families and nests on this island. Along the way from Zapalla, I saw other marine wildlife as well from the boat, like sea lions and jellyfish swimming in the Pacific Ocean close to shore. I didn't have the time or money during this trip to visit the shores of Patagonia or Antarctica to see larger types penguins, so I was glad to see at least some species of smaller penguins in this warmer part of Chile.
Written February 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,693 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Couples
We travelled out of our way to see the Humboldt penguins on Cachagua Island and we weren’t disappointed! Our guide Fernando (Chile Fun Tours) picked us up at the Santiago airport and drove us directly to Zapallar. The drive took about 2 hrs. A fisherman with a small boat, previously arranged by Fernando, was waiting to take us out to the island located offshore. The boat ride there and back was about 20-25 min one way. It was a beautiful sunny day with blue skies and a light wind. Even so, the ocean swells were somewhat unnerving to us as the boat made its way to the island. We were perfectly safe - just note you need an experienced fisherman to navigate these waters! We were comfortable in lightweight jackets and stayed dry, getting only a little ocean spray in our faces. Depending on the temps, you might want warmer clothing so dress in layers. There are no beach landings on Cachagua because it is a protected nature sanctuary. However, the island is small enough that our boat circled to provide a close-up of the Humboldt penguins. Imagine our delight to spot a few juveniles too! We didn’t see any Magellanic penguins on the day of our visit (Oct 20). While you can see the penguins from the beach with binoculars, the boat allows you to get so much closer. Keep in mind that if the seas or weather is not cooperating, you might not have a choice! What a great experience to see the penguins in their natural environment. While you can also view them further south in Chile, Cachagua is the place if you’re in the Santiago area. A must do if you’re a penguin-lover!
Written November 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Renee N
Denver, CO53 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2013 • Couples
We found a small little beach parking lot that didn't charge, and walked down to the ocean. We then followed the path around to our left to see the island. It is a little difficult to see the penguins without binoculars, however we used our cell phone's camera zoom which was good. It was really neat seeing the penguins and it was a beautiful place to take great photos of the island and the surrounding habitat. I'm sure there are better places to see penguins, but you can pay a lot (up to $50 per person) and this was FREE!
Written May 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

charles m
Atlanta, GA147 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2013 • Family
Isla Cachagua is about 100 meters from the shore. Be sure to bring binoculars and if you're into photography, a telephoto lens. There are lots of birds and one of the few penguin colonies outside the Antarctic. We watched for an hour or so. There isn't any fee to look at the birds, but there is a fee for parking in the beach lot. Food and bathroom facilities are available at the nearby beach.
Written January 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GlobalVillage
Burlington, VT504 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2013 • Friends
We love seeing wildlife in nature, be that Big Horn Sheep in Canada, Sea Lions in California or Moose in Vermont. So when we were visiting our daughter in Argentina, when we had a chance to see Humboldt Penguins off the Coast of Chile, of course we were game!

MyWayChile.CL organized our trip, including a) driving us from Renaca to Zapallar, b) "chartering" a small open air fishing boat with a "captain" and c) determining a time of day when to go so as to minimize the wave and tidal action for us mainlanders! Plus seeing Zapallar (a "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous" beachfront community) was fascinating.

While we loved Valparaiso (filled with street art) and Neruda's city La Sebastiana &ocean front Isla Negra homes, visting Isla Los Pinguinos Cachagua was an outdoor highlight of our trip.
Written January 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charles W
Huntington Beach, CA2,434 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
There really are penguins in Chile not too far from Santiago. They are safe from humans beings on the island. They can be seen by the naked eye from the path on the mainland. It is recommended to have binoculars.
Written November 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gill h
Whitley Bay, UK653 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Couples
No need to take a boat, even without binoculars you can see these gorgeous little birds, with binoculars you can watch them for ages. We went in the morning and there were not so many, probably just young ones as the rest off fishing. Returned at five and they were all coming home, we loved watching them hop out of the water onto the rocks and waddle up to their nests. Some were facing the sun and stretching out their wings, just so fabulous. We love penguins and felt so lucky. We walked from here to Zapallar along the coast and had lunch at a beautiful restaurant on the bay, where a dolphin played all of the time we were there. A slow walk back to see penguins come home, what a day.
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Traveldoc14
Morrison, CO32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Family
We just visited this beach today and we saw penguins. You need to have binoculars or a telephoto lens to see them up close, but they are visible. Once you get to the beach, walk to the far side, up some stone stairs and there is a good viewing point from there. No fishing boats around as it was Sunday. Still well worth the trip!!
Written December 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

brittrn
29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Couples
You can see the penguins from Cachagua however we decided to book a tour through a company and take an old fishing boat out to the island. The tour was charming and gave you an understanding and respect for the fisherman who are out on these waters everyday! Highly recommended!
Written May 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Isla Cachagua - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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