Punta Arenas Kayak Whale Watching: Is It Worth It? (Review)

Okay, so you are considering kayak whale watching close to Punta Arenas? Patagonia’s waters are more or less home to these massive gentle giants, and there’s just something incredibly appealing about watching them from your own kayak. I mean, very getting close, experiencing nature in that raw form? It sounds amazing, right? Well, before you absolutely book, let’s have a look at the reality of what that particular tour is. Is it truly worth your time, your money, plus, quite frankly, your physical exertion?

What Exactly To Expect from a Punta Arenas Kayak Whale Watching Tour

First things first, this definitely is not your average, sort of, sightseeing boat tour. This is going to be much more involved and quite a bit more, well, intimate. Many tour operators get you outfitted around kayaks, spray skirts, and maybe life vests early around. Then, it is more or less off into the Strait of Magellan.

Usually, the tours often last somewhere in the vicinity of 4-6 hours, sometimes including transit time. That actually depends a bit on your tour provider, so verify those particulars ahead of time. You might just expect to work around some rather open water which sometimes is exposed. Be ready for waves, winds that, too, could be intense, and just a bit of a physical challenge paddling that kayak.

About what to really anticipate from your vantage point as you observe wildlife. Most folks obviously hope to check out some whales! Humpback whales are regularly found here, sometimes others, or orcas, are often just briefly sighted here. Nonetheless, wildlife just could be unpredictable by all means, it is nature. At times the whales could choose to stay faraway or actually dive deep and it’s rather a difficult mission for many tourists.

But it may not merely be just whales by the way, a lot more wildlife lives around these areas so you may likely encounter seals, sea lions and many kinds of seabirds! Be alert plus carry your digicams to the ready to, be rather fast. Remember to appreciate wildlife. You may see things you never would have had you stayed where you were so soak it up as long as possible!

The Pros of Seeing Whales By Kayak

Now, alright, let’s weigh some pluses. Why even pick kayaking rather than those standard whale-watching boats?

Closer Encounters: Alright, there’s very little like truly feeling that immense size near you as a whale comes up nearby your tiny kayak. Actually, this offers more intimate wildlife encounters for folks than a boat could offer you by all means. The feeling, in a way, could be absolutely magnificent!
Eco-Friendly Tourism: Kayaking just has minimal impact around the ocean. I mean, this truly is just a manner which will give regard toward delicate marine living. You are not churning those big motors causing all kinds of polluting waste.
A Little Bit Active: You won’t just stand taking pictures! It certainly is an active adventure, so a bit exercise! This even mixes a workout into just admiring the charm from the outdoors too.

Cons That Might Make You Think Twice

Alright, it is never truly everything’s sunsets plus, sometimes, whale tail views! What exactly is maybe not quite too ideal of whale watching with your kayak?

Weather Dependent: Weather in Patagonia really? Hmm, somewhat fickle by the way! This really impacts perhaps if a tour often goes on or goes wrong. So the schedules usually would depend. Make plans which allow the possible alterations, if those kinds of alterations arise!
Physical Effort Needed: You really ought to be kinda relatively fit here to even go kayak paddling sometimes for about 3–4 hrs. This really is more taxing rather than taking a load off aboard any motor vessel for folks!
Whale Sightings Are No Sure Thing: Whales won’t always come while on cue in Patagonia sometimes. Tours won’t promise whale showings alright, so you possibly pay, and you possibly view nothing. This would just be very risky for someone by all means!
Limited Mobility: These kayaks are truly rather confining; those larger boats allow a bit freedom that you have just to move all about plus stretch a bit on occasion while touring by all means!

Essential Tips for an Amazing Experience

Then alright, you are sold, and you might go! Here are essential strategies for achieving the very most of any experience.

Dress in many Layers: Those conditions sometimes vary swiftly over there! Being equipped is a little paramount to enjoying this by all means. Moisture wicking cloths need laying a bit on inside alongside water or perhaps even wind evidence layers around your outside parts, or it does not help against Patagonia weather.
Really Bring the Waterproof Gear: Protect those valuables! Grab cases waterproof by all means regarding gadgets that must not sink if such ends occur. Then place these onto dry totes around to protect by all means.
Sun Protection: You see, you’re just from the waters though, that sun actually shows not any mercy near the world’s southern zones now sometimes! Never forget perhaps sunblock, shades plus your cap for security to the full extent as possible!
Respect all Wildlife: Give the critters area. Absolutely never touch them. Absolutely never, never, feed critters! This will affect such species which will degrade a local area now sometimes! Respect a view here or walk elsewhere as you might impact the place to cause possible detriment on animals that thrive very well near wildzones now usually.

Choosing the Right Tour Operator

Who is to be going along beside for certain? Which maybe is as critical or more than actually making everything else regarding planning choices by all means.

Check Credentials: Make certain such company owns every critical safety licensure, plus accreditations before reserving. Examine some records well too, also be alerted if folks may display signs for shortcuts within.
Look at the Reviews: See comments near TripAdvisor maybe also Google also. What had earlier groups to state considering their event together! Did such company resolve most worries sufficiently during and prior times along their travel groups over these travels before the prior folks would take onto them around too! Did the recent comments often illustrate these previous activities also?
Safety First: Is the agency bringing suitable secure systems in with for maybe if conditions alter suddenly or possibly immediately that occurs with an activity within remote area? Really determine well these things that sometimes impact most any decisions about getting on tours there through the initial periods plus moments to ensure many great things throughout it by all means!

Is it worth it?

Actually, it is the real inquiry! After having everything pondered? The correct reaction? I mean, this truly might rely upon a bit what you favor, as a matter of fact. Perhaps you wish an undertaking to do outdoors by any means which makes sure being around close on such fauna which needs only minor effects toward a region. Should indeed this just would define precisely where those benefits sit inside too? Whale watching kayaking just right then usually makes a rather suitable one inside! Then when some challenges also might be concerning by all means concerning levels around working conditions and so regarding, by any other view now perhaps consider taking more customary boating.

For me I believe if perhaps geared accurately that the health wise I had that strength of my will inside from overdoing whatever actions with water activities in a protected type. It really turns incredible. I often think viewing through these gentle types nearby whenever on these minimal boat cruises, like in this tour itself as an excursion, that I value for eternity at periods in travel near these southern sides often along some portions just.

FAQs About Kayak Whale Watching in Punta Arenas

What if I’ve never kayaked before? Can I still go?

Well, you know, quite a few tours accept beginners, as a matter of fact, however checking concerning operator criteria truly is significant. Almost often, there’s a little instruction before one travels outward by all means.

What’s the best time of year to see whales?

I mean, truly, many humpbacks usually come by Punta Arenas from somewhere around late autumn onto somewhere around starting spring weeks there inside, usually being greatest among time regarding whale showings from weeks regarding Feb down into weeks of April generally too through one single journey, generally too by each visit with Patagonia sometimes.

What should I do if a whale approaches my kayak?

Of course stay relatively calmly, plus heed a guide’s advise completely; never reach any fauna or ever at any part, plus definitely never aim any motions to really interact them to any aspect sometimes. Value them. Also offer that much areas with as possible if any approach by chance throughout!

How does kayak boat rides differ with regular ones for whale-watching within Patagonia in those regions specifically on Punta arenas at present moments right these times often??

Kayaks often come smaller offering somewhat reduced groupings together from the ones taken. Kayaks give less of these engine sounds in order this may reduce chances which these do push on every ocean animal throughout.