Chile : Profile

Facts

• Chile is a 2600 mile (4185 km) long strip of land that stretches from the Andes down to the southern tip of South America where lies the notorious Cape Horn, the island of Tierra del Fuego, which Chile shares with Argentina, and the Magellan Straits.

• An increasing number of yachts cruise the islands and channels in the southern part of Chile, a spectacular area with magnificent fjords and imposing glaciers.

• The rest of Chile is rarely visited by foreign yachts, except those on their way to or from the southern fjordland.

• Chile's offshore possessions in the Pacific, Easter Island and the Juan Fernandez Islands , are dealt with separately.

Weather

October to April are the warmer summer months, while May to October is colder. The Chilean climate varies considerably according to latitude, being dry and hot in the north, wet and windy in the south. The coastal areas are cooled by the cold Humboldt current. In the south, the most settled weather is between December and March, which is dominated by westerly winds. In this area, northerly winds usually bring rain and poor visibility, while southerlies are accompanied by clear skies.

Main Ports

Arica * , Chiloe Island , Puerto Eden * , Puerto Montt * , Puerto Natales * , Puerto Puyuhuapi , Puerto Williams * , Punta Arenas * , Talcahuano * , Valdivia * , Valparaiso *

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Cruising Patagonia (24 Dec 2009)

Patagonia - Recommended Boat Equipment and Improvements for Cruising (24 Apr 2009)

Cruising notes on Chile and Argentina (24 Apr 2009)

Beagle Channel Chile / Ushuaia Update (27 Jan 2009)

Update for Cruisers Visiting Chile and Argentina (29 Dec 2008)

Spanish for Cruisers - 2nd Edition (30 Nov 2008)

Cruising Report: Cruising Chilean Patagonia (09 Jun 2008)

Australia, Brisbane to Coquimbo, Chile (22 May 2008)

Chile to New Zealand (22 May 2008)

Panama to Chile - Advice Sought  (15 May 2008)

B.C. Victoria to Pt. Montt, Chile (15 May 2008)

Chile, Valdivia to San Diego, CA. (14 May 2008)

New zarpe rule in Puerto Montt (18 Dec 2007)

Spanish for Cruisers: Book Review (06 Dec 2007)

Is Full Insurance Required For Yachts Visiting Chile? (28 Jul 2007)

Yachtsman's Navigator Guide To Chilean Patagonia (30 Nov 2006)

Winter Cruising in Chile (24 Nov 2006)

Useful Coastguard Fax Numbers (08 Mar 2006)

Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego Nautical Guide (07 Mar 2006)

Chile Cruising Guide (10 Feb 2006)

How to Order Chile Chart Catalogue (02 Sep 2004)

Patagonia Memories (01 Feb 2003)

Chilean Canals (24 Apr 2001)

Antarctica & Cape Horn (23 Apr 2001)

Related News

Massive Earthquake in Chile Triggers Tsunami (28 Feb 2010)

Around the Americas - Sailing Expedition and Awareness Campaign (24 Oct 2008)

Authorities are tightening regulations in Patagonia (11 Feb 2008)

Controversial Fee For Yachts In Puerto Williams Chile Has Now Been Reduced (18 Dec 2004)

Historic union of Israelis and Palestinians in the Antarctic onboard Pelagic (31 Mar 2004)