Top 5 Ancud Day Trips: Explore Chiloé Island, Chile

Ancud, you know, it’s almost like this doorway to so much cool stuff on Chiloé Island. That is to say, you’ve got colorful towns, wild nature, and tons of history all within easy reach. If you’re basing yourself there, getting out and exploring the region is something you really have to do. It might just be that the island offers up lots of awesome possibilities. And I’m talking about sights, flavors and maybe even stories that’ll stick with you for a long time.

1. Penguins at Puñihuil: A Close Encounter

Alright, so a trip to see the penguins at Puñihuil is often like, you know, a total must if you’re anywhere near Ancud. The cool part is that this place, Puñihuil, it’s very one of the few spots that lets you glimpse both the Magellanic and Humboldt penguins hanging out together. And believe it or not, you can take these little boat rides out to the rookeries – little rocky islands, too it’s almost as if to watch the penguins waddle around and do their thing.

The boat trip usually takes about 30 minutes, and what’s really something is getting up close enough that you can actually hear the penguins squawking and see them swimming right by the boat. It might just be the views are stunning. The Pacific Ocean is sprawled out all around you, right. Too it’s almost possible you’ll see other seabirds too like cormorants and maybe even some dolphins. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Penguin Tours in Ancud)

2. Fort San Antonio: A Historical Lookout

So, Fort San Antonio, in a way it’s like this spot up on a hill that’s totally packed with stories. Anyway, this fort, it might be was built way back in the day, in that time it was thought important because it held real value to keeping an eye on things for whoever controlled the area. Now, it may sound obvious but walking around you know, is seeing where all the cannons sat gives you this awesome feeling about the history that happened here.

That is to say, that from the fort, arguably there are these sweeping views of Ancud and the bay. The spot is wonderful for that photo that will have you bragging when back at the office. What’s really special is on a sunny day you can spot that snow-covered peak, basically, that is, Volcán Osorno way off in the distance. Honestly, it’s just a relaxing kind of spot for enjoying the fresh air and you can walk around, there is a pathway, too, with lookout points.

3. Castro: Colorful Palafitos and Churches

Now, if you feel up for going a little bit further, Castro, which arguably could be like Chiloé’s capital, you know, and is a great day trip option. The thing that hits you is it could be just that these houses, called palafitos, are built right on stilts over the water. These days you will likely spot vibrant colors and are actually a real signature, the trademark so to speak, for Chiloé.

Honestly, and then there’s the Iglesia San Francisco, the very UNESCO World Heritage site, so that it’s unlike anything you have probably seen ever. That said, it’s got that striking bright yellow and orange wood siding and tall, dramatic spires. To be honest, this one, I mean it, I was super impressed. A little insider information, if you happen to go on a Sunday you might spot a local market for souvenirs.

4. Chepu River: Kayaking Through Sunken Forests

As a matter of fact, if you’re looking for a bit of something outdoors, it is kayaking down the Chepu River might be perfect. Too it’s almost so cool because, that the river runs through a forest that, seemingly was flooded years ago by an earthquake. That said you can find eerie, spooky but very visually beautiful dead trees sticking up out of the water which makes for amazing photos.

It’s a smooth kayak journey, perfect if, it is, to be honest you aren’t so in love with exercise, more or less in that case anyone can manage this activity and see those really cool trees on both sides as you go floating by. Also keep those binoculars because what can sometimes happen is many types of cool and unusual birds come to these parts of Chile, even. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Kayaking Tour)

5. Rural Chiloé: Dalcahue and Achao

As a matter of fact, it might be that want you have a desire to find out about that side of island life away from the busier spots. Or, so that it’s hard not to visit Dalcahue which has what can happen on any Sunday. That is you might stumble upon a lively market. Too it’s almost as if this a local spot that sells just amazing handmade crafts, produce and delicious food and other goodies to give you some fun.

Basically, take that quick ferry trip to Achao. And, what’s cool here too it’s almost worth discovering is one the area, actually one the country’s oldest wooden churches is here. To be honest, it’s beautifully crafted from local wood and has this totally charming peaceful feeling of Chiloé and its island life, right there, I think so.

Read our full review: Ancud Day Trips Full Review and Details