Sailing in Patagonia / Chile
New Winter Project in Chile / Patagonia!
Sail with us from November – March through the fjords and channels of Aysen, a remote and beautiful land and seascape in southern Patagonia of Chile and study with us the marine wildlife (whales, dolphins, seals and birds)!
You find more information in this PDF Document: sailing-and-marine-wildlife-studies-in-chile
Scientific Tourism – a journey combining sailing with the observation of
marine life and their environment in Patagonian Chile
Heike Vester is a marine Biologist from Germany who studies vocal behavior of Pilot whales,
Orcas and Bottlenose dolphins. She owns and runs Ocean Sounds, a private organization based in
Norway that is dedicated to the research of marine animals, public education, and conservation of
the marine environment. www.ocean-sounds.com
Heike is passionate about oceans and marine wildlife and has dedicated herself to understanding
them so that she can better help protect the fjords and oceans that have become her home. She
spends her time traveling between Norway and Chile collecting identification data and sound
recordings for her research. She is associated with the Max Planck Institute
(http://www.nld.ds.mpg.de/) and the Faculty of Biology (http://www.cog-ethol.de/) of the
University in Göttingen in Germany, where her PhD research focuses on the structure and
evolution of language in Killer and Pilot whales.
ExplorAysen is an Aysén-based travel company which offers unique travel experiences involving
scientific exploration, participation in science based programs, and adventures with a high level
of scientific content.
ExplorAysen is affiliated with the Project for Scientific Tourism in Patagonia (PTCP), which is part
of the Center for Research in Patagonian Ecosystems (CIEP). The project´s strategic mission within
CIEP is to facilitate regional development, strengthen research, and promote knowledge transfer.
During a 10 day journey, you will have the opportunity to:
• discover the fjords of Aysén and the culture of local seashore and island communities,
• participate and support scientific research involving marine wildlife, and
• learn or practice sailing around snow peaked fjords, untouched islands and open Pacific
Ocean.
“Agartha II” is a 16 meter Sailboat, with 4 double cabins, a dining area, 2 bathrooms with hot
showers and a kitchen. She has ample deck space and is geared with the latest navigation and
safety equipment. You will be accompanied by a captain and crew, our resident scientist and an
English speaking guide.
Itinerary
Day 1
Upon arrival at the Balmaceda Airport, you will be met by your guide and be driven to Puyuhuapi,
a small town founded in 1935 by German immigrants and surrounded by a spectacular landscape
of native forests and enormous ferns. The indigenous name Puyuhuapi means “place of Puyes”.
The Puye is a species of fish that has long been sought after by fishing lovers. The main attraction
of the village is its unique architectural heritage; most houses are built using native timber in a
style which reflects a combination of German heritage and the architectural typical of the island
of Chiloe. In Puyuhuapi, you will meet the sailing crew and scientist, settle on board the Agartha
II, enjoy a walk in town and finish the day with a team dinner on the yacht.
Day 2
After a nice breakfast we’ll set sail through the Puyuhuapi Channel, a fjord of glacial origin with
abrupt, jagged shores and covered by dense forest towards a safe anchorage on Magdalena Island.
During the 5-6 hour sail you will be introduced to safety and hazards on board, basic sailing
terminology, roles and rules and have some time to get your sea legs.
Day 3
We continue our sail towards Puerto Gaviota, a 90 person fishing community with one local
school serving 15 children, a local church, a medical post and about 30 houses.
Here we will enjoy a local meal cooked by Senora Giovana who will share her house for a talk and
slide show presentation on the ongoing scientific work in the region and the scientific support we
will provide during the next few days.
We will learn about the different sea mammals that are living in the area, typical behavior and
ways of recognizing them. Our scientist will bring awareness to the ecological dangers currently
faced within the communities of marine wildlife and the Aysén ecosystems in general. You will
learn about the impact of Salmon farms and other sources of marine pollution and have a chance
to share the experiences and expectations of the scientific and conservation community.
Day 4
We begin with an early morning sail towards the Tysnes Islands, three small rocky islands in the
middle of the Moraleda Channel, populated by bird and seal colonies. Here you will get your first,
hands on, photo identification practice, population counting and behavior observation.
After setting up marine mammal observation watches and sailing teams, we’ll sail though the
Ninualac Channel towards Isla Kent. Each crew member will participate in observation and
navigation practices.
We will anchor at Isla Kent, where hundreds of years ago, indigenous canoe tribes lived and
depended on seals and whales as a source of food and sustenance.
Day 5
Today, we set sail for Bahia Aventura, a large shallow bay, open to the Pacific Ocean. Our main
goal will be to reach the continental shelf, where depths drop from 50 meters to 200 meters or
more. This change in ocean profundity results in dramatically higher food density for marine
wildlife populations. Large baleen whales, such as Sei whales are often seen feeding in these
shallow waters. We will also set up the Hydrophone and start listening for sounds of Blue whales,
Pilot whales, Bottlenose dolphins and other marine mammals.
During the sail, you’ll get hands on practice with sailing, compass steering, tacking, jibing, wind
direction and navigation. In the evening, we´ll anchor at Isla Lemu.
Day 6-7
The next two days will consist of sailing around Adventure Bay. Depending on weather and wind,
we may sail towards Isla Guamblin or Isla Ipun, Isla Conejo or as far as Isla Anna Pink. Our
priority will be to assist our resident scientist in her research on whales, Orcas and dolphins,
taking sound recordings and contributing to the ongoing library of photo identification; all of
which helps with determining population sizes and behavior.
A typical day will consist of an early breakfast and setting sail at 9 am. We will sail until 6 pm,
taking turns watching out for sea life, navigating and sailing. When close to whales or dolphins,
each team member will have a task, which might include photographing, filming, recording,
taking notes and GPS points, or helping to maneuver the sail boat.
If weather is too rough to sail out to the open ocean we’ll sail around the islands, where Chilean
and Peale’s dolphins are usually sighted. We may take a kayak trip or look for marine fossils, visit
beaches and surely go through lengthy debates on how to help protect the ocean from waste,
garbage and over fishing.
Day 8
Today, we start our return sail through the channels towards Isla Madgalena, passing by seals and
bird colonies and observing dolphins.
Day 9
Around mid day, we will arrive in Puerto Cisnes, a bigger fishing village halfway between Puerto
Gaviota and Puyuhuapi. We will be met by a bus which will transport us to Coyhaique, the capital
of Aysén. Final night in a comfortable hostel.
Day 10
Transfers will meet you at your hostel to transport you to the Balmaceda airport.
You can book 6 day trips as well
For information and booking please contact the Center for Scientific Tourism directly
or write to info@ocean-sounds.com