Pinguino de Humboldt National Reserve

 

picture by CE6TBN

 

 

 This reserve, of 859.3 hectares, is formed of three islands: Damas and Choros in the northern part of the region, and the Chañaral de Aceituno island, in the southern part There is a large variety of fauna on these islands, but perhaps their most well-known inhabitants are the Humboldt penguins, endemic to the current which gives them their name, and who nest on these islands. There is also an important colony of sea lions, chungungos, Magellan penguins, llacas and bottle-nosed dolphins. These last can be seen frequently around the Chañaral island. In the summer season it is possible to see some
more occasional visitors around the islands: marine turtles, dolphins, whales, albatrosses and cormorants. Damas island is the only place that has camping and picnicking facilities and to get there you have to contract the services of fishermen in the vicinity of Punta de Choros cove.

Location
Atacama and Coquimbo regions, Los Choros is 120 km to the north-east of La Serena.
How to get there
Santiago-La Serena: by air or land. La Serena-Los Choros: by land. 75 km to the north of La Serena, on the Panamericana, there is a turning which brings you to the village of Los Choros (45 km). To get to Isla Damas you have to contract a boat from the fishermen in the bay.
When to go
All year round.
Activities
Photography, wildlife observation, diving.
Climate
The climate is temperate with abundant morning which disappears by midday, which then becomes intense sun in the summer. The annual rainfall is 30mm and the average annual temperature is 18°C.

TNX www.gochile.cl

picture by CE6TBN