Planning Your Time

The Juan Fernández archipelago [1] and Easter Island [2] are two very different places, but they have their remoteness and inaccessibility in common; together they make a rare and unforgettable mix. The former, though closer to the South American continent, presents greater logistical challenges.

Small planes fly regularly to Isla Robinson Crusoe [1], the Juan Fernández group’s main destination, where the village of San Juan Bautista [3] is the base for exploring Parque Nacional Juan Fernández. A minimum of three full days would allow for exploring the village and vicinity, hiking to Selkirk’s lookout, and even hiring a launch to circumnavigate the island.

At the same time, visitors need to appreciate that flight schedules from Santiago [4] can be hard to keep because of changeable weather, and it’s sometimes necessary to stay an extra day or more (which, of course, requires more money on an island with no bank or other formal exchange facilities). There’s plenty to do, but bad weather can also reduce access to parts of the park.

Visiting the even more remote Isla Alejandro Selkirk, a full-day’s sail to the west, is so logistically complex that it might be considered a true expedition. While there’s regular if infrequent boat service, and fishermen will also carry passengers when they’re looking for lobsters, the landing is difficult and supplies are few—visitors need to bring everything along. It’s also possible to charter a boat, but this is very expensive. In sum, visiting Alejandro Selkirk is for adventurous travelers for whom time is no factor, and money only secondary.