Magdalena Island

Magdalena Island covers around 951 square miles (2,462 square kilometers) and features rugged terrain, deep ravines, and coastal coves that support diverse marine and terrestrial species.

The island was designated as a forest reserve in the 1960s and officially became a protected park on July 11, 1983, with further conservation expansions occurring in 2018.

Local fishing communities, including Puerto Gaviota, have historically relied on the codfish industry and continue to maintain maritime traditions closely tied to Patagonian life and heritage.

Access to Magdalena Island is primarily by boat from Puerto Cisnes or Puerto Puyuhuapi, and visitors should prepare for remote conditions with limited facilities and variable weather patterns.

The island hosts the endangered southern river otter, known locally as huillin, making it a critical site for conservation efforts focused on protecting this rare aquatic mammal species.