Marine Science Excursion in Chile

After touching down at the Santiago International Airport, grab your bags and get ready to study marine sciences in Chile. As you head out of the arrivals gate, you will be greeted by your local guide who will be exploring the coastlines of Chile with you for the rest of the week. 

Did we mention that your guide is also a seasoned marine biologist? On that note, you will get real-life experience directly from the source as you travel throughout the country. From the airport, you will be shuttled to your accommodation and have the liberty to explore the surrounding area on foot for the rest of the afternoon.

Today you will wake up and hop straight on the bus heading to the coastal regions of the country. About and a 1.5-hour drive from the city of Santiago will get you to ECIM UC (Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas). This research facility focuses on investigating marine life in the region and is a training center for Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC). 

Today you will take part in one of their marine science training seminars and get more information about the findings this facility has discovered to date. Afterward, you will head out with members of the ECIM research team for a dive and take coral samples from the bottom of the ocean floor, which will later be used for testing.

Today you will head out on two dives with divers in Quintay. Located south of Valparaiso, you will start off the day with a shipwreck dive alongside diving instructors. Joining you on this dive will also be a professional photographer, so you will surely have some great photos to remember the experience. 

In the afternoon, you will enjoy lunch and a marine life education session with your guide. Get an idea of what types of marine life are native to the area and keep your eyes open for them when you re-enter the water in the afternoon to take part in dive number two. Afterward, you will head back to Santiago in order to catch an early flight the following morning.

Today you will venture out to one of the most remote islands in the Pacific Ocean, Easter Island. This ancient island is home to many mysteries and you will get the chance to uncover several of them while you’re here. Departing from Santiago, a 5.5-hour flight will get you to the Hanga Roa Airport. 

Upon your arrival, you will stop by your accommodation to drop off your bags. Then, you will take a 30-minute drive to see one of the most iconic statues on the island. Ahu Tongariki consists of 15 moai, the famous monolithic human figures carved from stone, along with a beautiful ocean backdrop. As you wander around these figures, you will also learn more about their history from your guide.

For your second day on Easter Island, you will be checking out Rano Kau, an active volcano and crater lake located in the south section of the island. The lake is actually one of the only three bodies of freshwater on the island. While you are here, you will enjoy a picnic lunch and be able to take a dip in the lake if you wish. 

In the evening, you will join a group from one of the local Rapa Nui communities and get the chance to understand more about the history of the island from a native perspective. Uncover the connection these people have with the ocean and natural landscape that surrounds them while learning how it has changed over the years.

Today you will start your final full day with a reef dive alongside the instructors of Orca Diving Center. This 5 to 10-meter dive will submerse you amidst coral, turtles and more! As you are underwater, take in the different types of marine life and ocean typography, as you will be discussing what you saw later on with your guide.  

In the afternoon following your dive, you will head to a smaller cliffside beach called Ovahe. Here you will have the option to snorkel check out the different tidal ecosystems with your guide. Catch the sunset and take some time to recollect on all of the experiences you’ve had throughout the week.

On your final day it’s time to start making your way back to the mainland. Departing on an early morning flight, you will be en route back to the Santiago International Airport. Once back in Santiago, you will have the option to either continue exploring the region or carry on to your next destination.