Penguin island
Boat trip.
Albert Backer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · sergejf — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Bachelot Pierre J-P — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS — CC BY-SA 4.0
A national park created in 1985 where the Atacama Desert meets the Pacific: dry rocky hills, white beaches and turquoise water, small quiet coves and rare cacti that live off the damp sea fog, the camanchaca, that cloaks the coast in the morning. Off the fishing hamlet of Caleta Pan de Azúcar lies a small island of the same name with a colony of endangered Humboldt penguins, and small boats circle it so visitors see penguins, sea lions, marine otters and seabirds without landing. On land, trails lead to lookouts over the coast, the best known being El Mirador, among native cacti, and may pass grey desert foxes and herds of guanacos. The beaches are quiet for walks and camping at the marked sites. The park has almost no services, so bring enough water, food and fuel. The sun is strong and the fog comes and goes.
Boat trip.
Living on fog.
Turquoise water.
Coast north of Chañaral, about two hours north of Caldera
By small boat from Caleta Pan de Azúcar circling the island without landing, when the sea allows.