Whale watching at Francisco Coloane Marine Park.
© Feel Patagonia
By Marcela Torres
As the summer season approaches, the fascination
for whales and dolphins attracts many tourists in search for a close encounter
with this charismatic fauna. The activity has benefits and risks, however, and
it is necessary to take some precautions to enjoy it responsibly.
Throughout Chile there are 18 dolphin species.
The Chilean Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia) is found in shallow coastal
waters, while the Bottle-Nosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the most
popular and easiest to see, particularly in the surroundings of the Damas and
Choros islands in the North.
Whales can also be seen, mainly in southern
Chile, where you can find Rorquals, Southern Right Whales, Sperm Whales and
Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). This species, one of the most
fascinating, has an important feeding site in the waters surrounding the
Francisco Coloane Marine Park, in southern Chile.
To ensure that a cetacean observation
experience is fun and safe both for the animals and tourists, the following
measures need to be in place:
- Keep a minimum distance of 100 meters (328 feet) from the animal that is closest to the boat
- The speed of boats while approaching and leaving the area should be constant and not exceed 4 knots
- The time of observation for each boat should not be more than 30 minutes
- Don’t ask your guide to chase the dolphins or whales and don’t try to touch them
- When the observation is over, the departure from the site should be carried out slowly and in the opposite direction of the movement of the whales or dolphins
If we follow these guidelines, we will probably
live an unforgettable responsible tourism experience.
This entry was originally posted by the author on October 30, 2011.
