Humboldt Penguin Reserve tour: Hike Isla Damas, sail islands

Walk a desert island and watch penguins from the water in one morning

This 10-hour tour from La Serena combines hiking on Isla Damas with a boat tour of three islands in the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve, where you spot penguins, sea lions, otters and seabirds. The itinerary starts in old La Serena, passes through the Quebrada de Los Choros, and departs from Punta de Choros fishing village for the islands. Lunch at a seafood restaurant and all transport are included. Isla Damas descent runs Thursday to Sunday in low season. A private option lets you skip the boat and focus on the island hike alone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore islands and marine reserve

• View old town terraces and monuments
• Pass geological sanctuary and smuggling port
• Ascend Buenos Aires slope
• Visit Quebrada de Los Choros flora and fauna
• Arrive at fishing village Punta de Choros
• Navigate Choros Island and spot wildlife
• Sail to Damas Island and admire landscapes
• Have lunch at seafood restaurant
• Return to La Serena accommodations

The experience

How do you see penguins and desert islands without renting a car? This tour picks you up in La Serena and drives south along the coast, stopping first in the old town to see the colonial architecture, then climbing the Buenos Aires slope where descendants of indigenous fishermen and pirates once lived. The route passes through the Quebrada de Los Choros, a basin with native cacti, guanacos, foxes and an underground river, before reaching Punta de Choros: a fishing village at the continent's tip facing the three islands you'll explore.

From Punta de Choros, you board a boat for the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve. The first leg sails past Choros Island for an hour, where you watch Humboldt penguins, sea lions, sea otters and seabirds in their habitat. Then the boat heads to Damas Island (45 minutes of sailing), where you can walk through beaches, cacti and desert flowers, and see the rock formations with human and animal figures carved into them. In low season, Damas Island is open Thursday to Sunday only. Lunch follows at a local seafood restaurant with starters, a main course and dessert, plus a soft drink.

The tour runs 10 hours total and returns you to La Serena by late afternoon. Air-conditioned transport, the boat ticket and lunch are all included. If you prefer to skip the boat and focus on hiking Isla Damas instead, a private option lets you do that. Ask at checkout which suits your day better.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from La Serena.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• boat entry and reservation ticket for the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve.
• lunch at a seafood restaurant with starters, main course, dessert and a soft drink.

Options for this experience

2 options

Hiking Ladies Island and Sailing the 3 Islands Humboldt Penguin ReserveGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Pickup is included

Private browsing of Isla DamasGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years): free · Child (3 to 9 years): free · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tembeta

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to combine desert island hiking with boat-based wildlife viewing in a single day without driving yourself. The fixed schedule fits three islands and a hike into one morning and early afternoon, and the boat departure from Punta de Choros is timed so you're back in La Serena by late afternoon. If you'd rather spend the full time on Isla Damas on foot and skip the boat, the private hiking option is available at checkout.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years): free; Child (3 to 9 years): free; Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I actually walk around on Isla Damas, or is it just viewing from the boat?

Isla Damas is open for walking and exploring on foot. You'll hike through its beaches, desert flora and rock formations with the carved figures. The visit lasts about 45 minutes after the boat ride from Choros Island. In low season, the island is accessible Thursday to Sunday only.

What wildlife will I actually see on this tour?

Humboldt penguins, sea lions, sea otters and seabirds are the main animals you'll encounter around Choros and Damas islands. The Quebrada de Los Choros section on land includes guanacos, foxes and native birds in the semi-arid basin.

Is the boat ride rough, or is it a calm sail?

The boat navigates the waters around three islands with a total sailing time of about 1 hour 45 minutes combined. The operator notes the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, so some passengers may find the conditions challenging. A moderate level of physical fitness is advised.

Does the lunch include options for different diets?

Lunch is at a seafood restaurant with a menu offering different starters, main courses and desserts, plus a soft drink. The restaurant specializes in fish and seafood, so options vary by what they're serving that day. Dietary restrictions should be mentioned when booking.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes the air-conditioned vehicle, pickup from your La Serena accommodation, the boat ticket to the Humboldt Penguin Reserve, and lunch with a drink. Tips are not included.