Natural Monument Isla Cachagua Sanctuary of Nature

The Isla Cachagua Natural Monument was created on June 27, 1989, with an area of 4.5 hectare metres. It belongs to the Province of Petorca, Zapallar Commune, Chile. In 1979 it was declared a Sanctuary of Nature.The isla Cachagua is separated from the coast by sea of about 100 meters wide. The maximum height on the island is about 30 m.

The place is also called Penguins Island, it is undoubtedly an endearing place. Located in the northern part of the beach, separated by an arm of 100 meters wide sea that is a swarmed by seabirds. There are two special varieties of penguins (Humboldt and Magellanicus), which are unique in this part of the Chilean coast, as well as large pelicans (Pelecanus thagus), other birds such as ducks (Phalacrocórax olivaceus) and gulls (Larus dominicanus) also like to make an appearance from time to time, there is also an abundant population of marine otters or chunchungos.

This place is seen as a undoubted beautiful Sanctuary of Nature which is protected. People are not allowed upon the land. This protection is in place to allow the animals to remain in peace. It is possible to observe it more closely in a walk that skirts the island in a boat of fishermen.