About the Port
Alexander Selkirk Island lies in the Juan Fernández Archipelago off the coast of Chile, and is the largest island in the group. Named for the marooned sailor whose story is said to have inspired Robinson Crusoe, though he was actually stranded on a neighboring island, it remains sparsely populated and largely untouched. Steep volcanic ridges, dense forest, and deep ravines rise abruptly from a rugged, sheer coastline, giving the island a wild, dramatic character.
Isolation has shaped a unique ecosystem here, with plant and animal life found nowhere else on earth. Landings are typically made by tender, as the coastline offers little in the way of sheltered harbor, and time ashore centers on the island's raw natural scenery rather than any built attractions. Visitors come mainly for the sense of remoteness and the chance to walk terrain shaped by volcanic forces and centuries of near-total solitude.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Alexander Selkirk Island.
Tender Ashore to a Remote Cove
Small boats ferry visitors to the island's sheer, harborless coast, the only way to reach this rarely visited outpost. Expect a short, choppy crossing rewarded by a landing few travelers ever make.
Hike the Volcanic Ridgelines
Trails climb steeply through dense forest and past deep ravines carved by ancient eruptions. Sturdy shoes and a bit of stamina open up sweeping views over the archipelago's wild coastline.
Spot Endemic Wildlife and Flora
Centuries of isolation have produced plants and creatures found nowhere else on Earth. Keep an eye out along the trails for unusual ferns, seabirds, and the island's endemic hummingbird.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Alexander Selkirk Island
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Cloud Expedition | 23 | $17,920 | |
| Feb 29, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Cloud Expedition | 34 | $24,000 | |
| Mar 11, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Cloud Expedition | 23 | $15,330 | |
| Mar 26, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse II | 18 | $14,477 | |
| Mar 26, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse II | 30 | $36,760 | |
| Oct 23, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Cloud Expedition | 44 | $32,300 | |
| Oct 23, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Cloud Expedition | 23 | $15,330 |