Making the most of Robinson Crusoe Island
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships moor in this port, so passengers are tendered ashore.
Take a printable map with you.
Robinson Crusoe island, or Juan Fernández Island, is in the Juan Fernández archipelago, 414 miles off South America's coast. Its name recalls Alexander Selkirk's shipwreck story, immortalized by Daniel Defoe in the famous novel "Robinson Crusoe'.
With fewer than 1000 inhabitants, this is a fascinating lost paradise, true to its story description. Its endemic flora and fauna are unknown in other latitudes: Seventy percent of plant species are endemic, and unique local wildlife includes the Juan Fernández fur seal and Juan Fernandez firecrown.
Now a World Biosphere Reserve, the archipelago has a landscape worthy of the novel: peaks rise 1,500m above sea level, paths invite walks, and temperate beach waters permit swimming or scuba diving where there are sunken ships or fish for lobster. The island is utopia come to life, attracting naturalists, sport divers and demanding adventurers despite very few comforts. In place of comfort, savage and virgin nature captivates and makes a strong impression on everybody visiting.
Getting around
Robinson Crusoe's marine ecosystem is nearly as unique and every bit as beautiful as its terrestrial one. Excellent visibility, steep sea cliffs, vast schools of endemic fish and abundant spiny lobsters draw connoisseurs to this little-known dive paradise. Trekking is not merely the best way to see its heavily forested interior, but the only way. Rugged trails link San Juan Bautista to highlights including Mirador de Selkirk, where the wrecked sailor climbed daily to scan for ships, and continue to Cerro El Yunque, at 915m the…
Money
Credit Card acceptance is considerably reduced in small towns and communities, so take local Chilean peso cash when visiting to avoid unpleasant surprises. 1 USD = 712 CLP.
Staying connected
Chile's official language is Spanish.