Kayaking Puerto Natales – Eberhard Fjord

Live a unique experience paddling the historic Eberhard Fjord, between Estancia Consuelo and Puerto Prat, the first settlement in the province of Última Esperanza before Puerto Natales was founded in 1911.

The adventure starts at 08:30 hrs, when your kayak guide meets you at your accommodation in Puerto Natales. After a short welcome talk and a review of the plan for the excursion, we drive to Estancia Consuelo (30 minutes), where the paddling begins.

There you receive all the technical and safety equipment, along with detailed instruction in paddling technique. Once everyone is ready we set off along the western shore of the fjord, surrounded by abundant birdlife: black-necked swans, coscoroba swans, coots, flamingos and the various species of duck that live in this natural sanctuary.

After 45 minutes of paddling we reach the enigmatic Kruger Island (also known as the “Island of the Dead”), where we take a 20-minute walk and enjoy a snack. We then continue towards Puerto Prat, the first settlement, founded in 1899, before heading back up the fjord along its eastern shore, more exposed to the wind, which adds some excitement to the return.

At the end of the experience we return to Estancia Consuelo to change, and drive back to Puerto Natales, finishing at around 13:30 hrs at your accommodation.

The best of this excursion

• Paddling one of the most historic and scenic fjords in Patagonia.
• Outstanding bird watching in their natural habitat.
• A mini hike on Kruger Island with a snack included.
• A specialised guide and complete equipment for your safety and comfort.

Set out on a unique experience that combines adventure, history and nature, paddling the fjords and channels where the settlement of the province of Última Esperanza began.

Preparation the day before

The experience starts the previous day, with a meeting with your kayak guide to go over the itinerary, the equipment and sizes, along with technical and food recommendations.

The start of the adventure

The following day at 09:00 hrs your guide picks you up at your accommodation in Puerto Natales. From there we drive 30 minutes to Estancia Consuelo, the historic home of the first settlers and today given over to farm tourism. Its heritage buildings and its sheltered bay, where sailing boats and small craft take refuge, mark the start of the crossing.

Paddling through history

After receiving the full technical equipment and a safety briefing, we start paddling along the Eberhard Fjord towards the enigmatic Kruger Island, or “Island of the Dead”. We continue to Puerto Prat, the first village, founded in 1899, and paddle on to Puerto Cóndor, where we stop to enjoy our packed lunch and rest for a few minutes.

The second half of the route takes us into the Señoret Channel, past Punta Cuervos and Punta Hansen, until we finally reach Puerto Bories, home of what was the largest meat-packing plant in the country at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Nature at its purest

Throughout the route you are surrounded by abundant birdlife: black-necked swans, imperial cormorants, coscoroba swans, coots, ducks and flamingos, among others. All of it framed by mountains and fjords that make this experience an unforgettable one.

The end of the excursion

On reaching Puerto Bories we land, change our clothes and load the equipment to return by private vehicle to Puerto Natales, closing the experience with the satisfaction of having paddled the same landscapes that saw the city born in 1911.