What are the top water activities to do in the Bariloche, Patagonia area? That is a great question. The choices are so varied that it’s hard to pick the top items of interest. Here are some activities that should be put on the list of to do’s when wanting to get a little wet (or at least be around the water) in Patagonia.

1. Traveling by boat from Chile to Bariloche, Argentina or visa-versa. In Chile the passenger ferry sets sail from Puerto Montt, and in Argentina from Puerto Blest. It is best to try and do this in the best weather possible. The passage is through gorgeous mountains that have cascading waterfalls and soaring condors, so the sun is an important component.

2. Traveling by boat to Puerto Blest from Puerto Pañuelo. This is part of the excursion needed for crossing into Chile. It can also be its own journey. The boat lets you off in the midst of old growth rain forest. There are beautiful trails that wander around in the thick forest. The average rain fall is around 118 inches in the Puerto Blest inlet (versus about 48 inches in the Bariloche city, located around twenty miles from the inlet as the bird flies) creating a lush and beautiful landscape. There is also a hotel and restaurant located at the dock.
3. Arrayanes national park. Another excursion from Puerto Pañuelo is the trip to the gorgeous Arrayanes national park (Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes). The Arrayanes tree is the inspiration for the trees in Disney’s Bambi. Northern Patagonia is one of the only places in the world that the Arrayanes trees grow. Some of the trees are over 300 years old.
4. Puerto Pañuelo is to Isla Victioria (Victoria Island). There is a small community that lives on the island. There are a few small restaurants, a museum and trails to wander around on.
5. River rafting the Manso river in to the Chilean frontier. This is a beautiful river rafting trip with class three/ four rapids. The river flows through a dense forest and pristine beauty surrounds you. The guides offer a snack for breakfast before floating the river. They also provide wetsuits, booties, helmets and life jackets. With some companies the trip ends at an estancia deep in the Chilean forest, only accesed by horse trails or river boat. Often an asado (BBQ) is offered to the clients at the end of the boat trip. Make sure you bring your passport!

That is a small sampling of the various aquatic activities in the Bariloche, Patagonia region. With so many bodies of water in Patagonia it is a great place to visit if the beauty of water allures you.

Related Articles