Skorpios Cruises

Story

Naviera y Turismos Skorpios S.A. is a family-owned company founded in 1978 by Mr. Constantino Kochifas Cárcamo, a shipowner and distinguished entrepreneur from southern Chile. Together with his family, he develops this tourism activity into a product of national and international recognition through ingenuity and professionalism.

Mr. Constantino begins his career as a young entrepreneur in regional coastal shipping in the Puerto Montt area in 1956 alongside his brothers. He later establishes his own shipping company and operates cargo vessels in the Aysén and Magallanes regions. After years of navigating Patagonia, he recognizes the region’s strong potential for maritime tourism and launches the first experimental voyages in 1976 aboard the MV Mimi, a small cargo vessel carrying only 12 passengers per trip. In 1977, he launches Cruceros Marítimos Skorpios, and in 1978, he builds the MV Skorpios I, the first tourism vessel for both Skorpios Cruises and Chile. With a capacity of up to 74 passengers, the vessel completes more than 600 voyages to San Rafael Lake before retiring from service, becoming a symbol of tourism in Chile and around the world.

In 1988, the MV Skorpios II enters service with a capacity of up to 106 passengers, becoming the largest vessel in the Skorpios fleet. It continues to operate the original San Rafael Lake Route, now known as the Chonos Route.

Seven years later, Skorpios Cruises introduces the MV Skorpios III, accommodating up to 92 passengers and joining the San Rafael Route.

In 2003, Skorpios Cruises expands operations to the Magallanes Region by launching the Kaweskar Route, a new tourist itinerary that sails from Puerto Natales to the glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields. To support this expansion, the MV Skorpios III relocates to Puerto Natales, where the company also constructs a maritime terminal for vessel operations.

Mission

Experience how Skorpios Cruises positions Chile and Chilean Patagonia as a leading international destination for high-value nature tourism. Enjoy a tourism experience of the highest standard while discovering the traditions and hospitality of Patagonia, with service that reflects strong values and a daily commitment to excellence.

Vision

Experience a future where tourism in Patagonia continues to grow while professionally showcasing its natural beauty. Discover a destination that invests in the region’s long-term development and maintains a careful balance between nature and service, allowing you to enjoy the environment without interference or harm.

Skorpios Cruises demonstrates a long-standing commitment to protecting the natural environment throughout more than fifty years of navigating and exploring southern Chile. Experience destinations where preserving natural landscapes, protecting endemic species, respecting wildlife, and safeguarding fragile ecosystems remain top priorities. Every voyage follows national and international environmental regulations designed to prevent pollution and minimize environmental impact.

As part of this commitment, Skorpios Cruises partners with the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) to support conservation initiatives, including the construction of trails and small bridges that provide controlled access to glaciers within Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Environmental awareness talks further encourage responsible travel while helping minimize the impact of every visit.

Responsible Tourism Practices

• Travel in small passenger groups during excursions and landings, allowing better supervision and environmental protection.
• Join excursions led by trained guides with extensive knowledge of every destination and passenger disembarkation procedures.
• Receive clear information on tourism, safety, and environmental practices through continuously trained onboard guides.
• Attend regular onboard lectures based on scientific and factual information that transform every voyage into both a travel and educational experience.
• Experience Patagonia's extraordinary natural heritage while respecting its scientific, ecological, and environmental importance.

Environmental Protection Practices

• Begin each voyage with a welcome briefing from the Captain, covering life on board, daily activities, destinations, and the importance of protecting Patagonia's natural beauty.
• Learn through audiovisual presentations and onboard information systems that reduce the need for printed materials.
• Smoke only in designated open-air deck areas equipped with ashtrays, and never dispose of cigarette waste into the sea.
• Dispose of used batteries in designated collection containers for proper treatment by authorized companies.
• Support responsible waste management, with all waste generated during navigation delivered to authorized facilities at port.
• Use waste containers available on all excursion and landing vessels to ensure proper collection and disposal.
• Experience quieter excursions as boat engines are switched off whenever possible to reduce noise pollution and allow you to appreciate the natural sounds of Patagonia.
• Follow safety and environmental briefings before every excursion, with special emphasis on respecting protected National Park environments.
• Leave nature untouched by avoiding the collection of rocks, flowers, leaves, branches, shells, shellfish, soil, or any other natural materials.
• Remain with Skorpios Cruises guides throughout every excursion and landing.
• Walk only on established trails to reduce soil erosion and protect native vegetation.
• Complete hikes and landings without food distribution to minimize waste generation.
• Help preserve the environment by collecting litter encountered during excursions whenever possible.
• Maintain a safe distance from wildlife and never feed animals.
• Travel aboard vessels equipped with wastewater treatment plants approved by the Chilean Maritime Authority.
• Benefit from oily water treatment systems that safely manage hazardous waste generated by vessel operations.

Privately Owned Ports with International Certification

• Depart from privately owned ports in Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales that maintain internationally recognized standards for quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.
• Experience operations supported by ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management certifications at the Skorpios Maritime Terminal in Puerto Montt.
• Travel through terminals that follow certified operational procedures meeting both national and international tourism standards.
• Use the Puerto Natales Maritime Terminal, certified under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code for maritime security.
• Benefit from Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management Plans certified by the Chilean Health Authority.
• Travel with confidence knowing both ports carry P&I (Protection and Indemnity) liability insurance covering environmental protection, vessel operations, and related risks.

Environmental Risk Mitigation

• Benefit from environmental contingency plans that prepare vessels and ports to respond to oil spills, fires, explosions, and other emergencies.
• Travel with crews who participate in annual emergency drills with clearly defined objectives, responsibilities, and response procedures.

Scientific Research and Conservation Partnerships

• Support glacier research through partnerships with the Center for Scientific Studies (CECS) in Valdivia.
• Contribute to scientific collaboration with the University of Chile, particularly its Faculty of Geology.
• Help strengthen conservation efforts through ongoing agreements with the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) that support the management and protection of Chile's national parks.