Gonzalez Videla Research Base
Gonzalez Videla Research Base
Gonzalez Videla Research Base
5
About
Antarctic research base operated by Government of Chile with resident Penguin rookery. Research base tour available by arrangement
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
12 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia17,480 contributions
Jan 2023
As we sailed past the research centre, we went around the corner entering Paradise bay, it was so calm and serene, the piccies speak a thousands words.
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jonahNJ
Pennington, NJ11,435 contributions
Feb 2020
While my wife and I were fortunate enough to land at and walk on several locations in Antarctica, landing and walking around this Base was my realization of finally walking on my 7th Continent! This Chilean Base is located on the Antarctic mainland at Waterboat Point in Paradise Bay. The primary purpose of this base is to service as a museum which welcomes visitors during the summer months. The Chilean staff sell a variety of items including souvenirs as well as frameable certificates which are personalized on site. The buildings around the base include a boathouse, a museum where the souvenirs are sold, a building that has a tower which provides a panoramic view of the base and also houses the staff quarters, as well as the remnants of the old station building that is now occupied by penguins. Speaking of penguins!!! This base is THEIR home and everyone else is just a visitor. To protect the penguins, visitors must stay on marked paths. It is amazing to be in the midst of so many penguins who are living their lives. One of the great things about Antarctica is that the wildlife are not afraid of humans, maybe just curious. The expedition teams do an excellent job in ensuring that the wildlife and ecosystem remains protected.
The highlight of the visit was seeing the one and only Isabel, the White Penguin. Just as my wife and I were walking back to our zodiac, there she was holding court with the regular black & white penguins.
This is a must visit site for any journey to Antarctica.
The highlight of the visit was seeing the one and only Isabel, the White Penguin. Just as my wife and I were walking back to our zodiac, there she was holding court with the regular black & white penguins.
This is a must visit site for any journey to Antarctica.
Written 15 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada11,683 contributions
Feb 2020
González Videla Base, is the Chilean base on the Antarctic mainland at Waterboat Point in Paradise Bay. It is named after Chilean President Gabriel González Videla, who in the 1940's became the first chief of state of any nation to visit Antarctica.
We visited on the Holland America Ship Volendam on Feb. 4th, 2020. We were unable to land but had great views of the station and the many Gentoo Penguins.
We visited on the Holland America Ship Volendam on Feb. 4th, 2020. We were unable to land but had great views of the station and the many Gentoo Penguins.
Written 16 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WImom
Fond du Lac, WI2,339 contributions
Jan 2020
My dream was always to see penguins in their natural habitat and to take photos with them. This was certainly the place to do so. We saw many Gentoo penguins (noted by their orange beak) as well as many of them nesting on their eggs. Some of them had recently given birth to little penguin chicks so we were able to see that also. There also was an albino penguin who is white and is located to the right as you exit the zodiac. The smell of the penguins is quite strong here so be prepared. This post is run and staffed by the Chilean government. There is a small museum and gift shop here. The gift shop items are very pricey ($40 for a tee shirt) so didn't buy anything.
Written 10 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mark_SydNSW
Australia517 contributions
Mar 2020
I had a landing here from MV Ushuaia. The research station building was open for visitors and you can go in and see the living quarters and climb up the observation tower. There was also a museum/gift shop; the museum component was a few photos on the walls but it was mainly a souvenir shop (which is why the research base likes tourist visitors so much). Also a lot of gentoo penguins.
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Trip60
Washington, D.C149 contributions
Feb 2020
We saw a lot of penguins very close. The babies were specially beautiful. Great place to visit during their summer
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tupelo010835
Denton, TX2,014 contributions
Jan 2020
.....have been back home! Given the similarities between the Chilean flag and the flag of the State of Texas, I had to do a double take. But then again, summer in Texas is just a wee bit different!
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1971kirstimm
Steinkjer, Norway68 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Penguins everywhere, and the sea was really alive here! Seals, whales and a lot of penguins. Visit the museum when you are here.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Janna
Arizona549 contributions
Jan 2020
This was an easy landing at a Chilean scientific base (summer only), welcomed by penguin upon penguin and very friendly scientific staff. A continental landing at low tide.
The Museo is also a gift shop (cash only; they accept and seem to prefer USDollars). Another building has a steep stairway to a little tower on top of the building that offers 360-degree views. They've erected a colorful and tall directional sign that makes for a good landmark picture.
Look for the blonde penguin just behind the sign at the dock and the baby penguins along side of the buildings. Glad I had some Burt Bee's cuticle cream, which doubled as a penguin fragrance neutralizer when I rubbed some under my nose. I can only hope the scientific staff have gone nose-blind to the smell.
The Museo is also a gift shop (cash only; they accept and seem to prefer USDollars). Another building has a steep stairway to a little tower on top of the building that offers 360-degree views. They've erected a colorful and tall directional sign that makes for a good landmark picture.
Look for the blonde penguin just behind the sign at the dock and the baby penguins along side of the buildings. Glad I had some Burt Bee's cuticle cream, which doubled as a penguin fragrance neutralizer when I rubbed some under my nose. I can only hope the scientific staff have gone nose-blind to the smell.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RichardUpshall
Dubai, United Arab Emirates1,621 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Travelling along the Antarctic Peninsula we were privileged to spend a couple of hours at the invitation of the base commanders.
Easy landing to access the base, and then an easy stroll through on solid walkways, viewing the Penguin rookery which is right there. Interesting small museum, tale some USD cash for $40 t shirts and $25 hats as momentos if you wish, cash only!
Very friendly and hospitable team based here, laid on hot drinks and cookies, and were happy to chat about their experiences from the 15 of them based for six months of the year at this base. Shut through the winter, even the Penguins leave as it all freezes solid!
Check with your cruise provider if they will stop off here, as the cruise through to Paradise Bay was incredible with Whale after whale as well as lots of Penguins of course. All sheltered so very pleasant float along, and the base, how people 'live' here and museum was worth a look...
Easy landing to access the base, and then an easy stroll through on solid walkways, viewing the Penguin rookery which is right there. Interesting small museum, tale some USD cash for $40 t shirts and $25 hats as momentos if you wish, cash only!
Very friendly and hospitable team based here, laid on hot drinks and cookies, and were happy to chat about their experiences from the 15 of them based for six months of the year at this base. Shut through the winter, even the Penguins leave as it all freezes solid!
Check with your cruise provider if they will stop off here, as the cruise through to Paradise Bay was incredible with Whale after whale as well as lots of Penguins of course. All sheltered so very pleasant float along, and the base, how people 'live' here and museum was worth a look...
Written 1 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience