Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve
Facts and practical information
Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve is a nature reserve located a short distance off the coast of mainland Chile. It consists of three islands: Chañaral, Damas and Choros. It is located about 100 km north of La Serena in the Coquimbo Region of Chile and has a total area of 859.3 hectares. Coastal communities of Caleta Chañaral, Chañaral de Aceituno, Punta de Choros are nearby. The reserve is an important breeding site for the Humboldt penguin, for which it is named, and is a habitat for sea lions and bottlenose dolphins, chungungos, sea turtle, whale, albatross and cormorant. Aside from dolphins, local cetacean diversity includes migratory rorquals such as blue, fin, and humpback whales, and sperm whales. ()
Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
Bottlenose dolphin
Bottlenose dolphins, belonging to the Tursiops genus, are among the most recognizable members of the dolphin family, Delphinidae. They inhabit warm and temperate seas worldwide. This genus encompasses three species: the common bottlenose dolphin, the Indo-Pacific...
Mammals
Humboldt penguin
The Humboldt penguin, named after the explorer Alexander von Humboldt, is a medium-sized penguin species primarily found in the Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve in Chile and Peru. With their distinctive black and white plumage, these penguins are easily...
Birds
Cormorant
Cormorants and shags, members of the Phalacrocoracidae family, are captivating aquatic birds encompassing about 40 different species. These birds, ranging from medium to large in size, are easily recognized by their dark plumage, long hooked bills, and webbed feet...
Birds
Magellanic penguin
The Magellanic penguin, an endearing native of South America, inhabits the coastal regions of Patagonia, spanning Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. These penguins, named after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, are the most populous among the...
Birds
Coquimbo