Navimag ferry

Introduction

2008-02-23 Navimag

© flavienc

The Navimag Ferry runs between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales, with various routes making stops at Chiloé, Puerto Chacabuco and Laguna San Rafael.The Navimag is a ferry vessels, providing both passenger service and service for cargo and vehicles. The boats are 114 metres long and 19 metres wide, and have 52 cabins holding 4 passengers and a 16 bunk open area.

Routes

Patagonia Channels

Running between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales in Patagonia, this route runs through a number of channels along the coast of Chile, giving tourist views of mountainous islands covered with evergreens and waterfalls. the boat sails for 4 days through the fjords and channels, only spending 8 hours in the open ocean. Wildlife that can be viewed includes sea lions, killer whales and dolphins.

The Navimag ferry is also called the "gringo boat," due to the large number of backpackers which take the ferry down to Puerto Natales and on to hiking adventures in Torres del Paine National Park.

Cabin Types and Costs

There are 5 levels of service:

• Cabin AA - 4 bunks with view and private bath
• Cabin A - 4 bunks with view and shared bath
• Cabin B - 4 bunks with private bath, interior cabin with no view
• Cabin C - shared bunks (16 bunks) with shared bath

Prices depend on the season and cabin booked.

Food and Drink

2008-02-27 Glacier Pio XI Navimag

© flavienc

3 meals a day are provided. All the meals are buffet style in place of a fixed menu and are included in the package. Continental Breakfast is served between 8:00 and 9:00am. Lunch is comprised of soup, salad, main dish, dessert and mineral water; it is served between 12:30pm and 1:30pm. Dinner is comprised of soup, salad, main dish, dessert and mineral water; and is served between 7:30pm and 8:30pm. Snacks and drinks can be bought at the bar, though many passengers bring on their own snacks and drinks to save money.

Education and Entertainment

Navimag hosts informational sessions during the trip regarding the main cultural and geographical attractions of the route, flora, fauna, native communities of the zone and points of interest, such as the Torres del Paine National Park and Chiloé Island.

At nights, the bar provides music and dancing.

For most of the voyage, passengers have access to the bridge, and can watch the ship being negotiated through the channels. The bridge is shut to passengers when docking and during difficult sections of the route.

External Links

• Navimag Official Website