Bariloche: Sailing tour on Nahuel Huapi Lake

Quiet water, wide views, and a small boat. This three-hour sailing trip from Puerto Petunia gives you a calmer side of Bariloche, with routes through Campanario Arm, past wooded peninsulas and small islands, and possibly across to Neuquén. I like the intimate group size, limited to 10 people, and the simple pause in a turquoise bay for herbal tea and snacks.

I also like that the trip reaches places you would not see from the road, including Isla de los Víveres and Puerto Venado when conditions allow. The main thing to consider is weather: the route can change, and the boat does not leave from downtown, so you must arrange your own way to Puerto Petunia, 13.5 kilometers from central Bariloche.

Key details before you book

• A small sailboat named El Orgulloso: The group is limited to 10 participants, making this a more personal outing than a large lake cruise.
• A route through Campanario Arm: You sail beside the San Pedro peninsula and pass Puerto Bueno, Serena Bay, Huemul Island, Isla de las Gallinas, and Isla de las Gaviotas.
• A possible crossing toward Neuquén: Weather permitting, the route continues to Isla de los Víveres and Puerto Venado.
• Tea and snacks beside the lake: The stop in a bay of turquoise water gives you time to relax rather than rush from one sight to the next.
• Spanish and Portuguese guiding: The live guide speaks Spanish and Portuguese, and some content may be presented in its original language.
• A self-arranged meeting point: You go directly to Camping Petunia at 13500 Bustillo Avenue and say you are boarding El Orgulloso.

Setting out from Puerto Petunia

The trip begins at Puerto Petunia, reached through Camping Petunia on Bustillo Avenue. The address is 13500 Bustillo Avenue, about 13.5 kilometers from downtown Bariloche, and transportation there is not included in the $130 price.

That detail matters more than it may seem. You need to build the transfer into your plans instead of assuming the boat leaves near the city center or from a hotel pickup point. At the campsite, report that you are boarding the sailboat El Orgulloso. This is the practical step that gets you to the right departure point.

The small-group format is one of the strongest parts of the outing. With no more than 10 people, you should have a better chance to hear the guide and take in the views without the noise and crowding of a large vessel. It also suits people who prefer a quiet few hours on the water to a tightly packed sightseeing boat.

The guide service is available in Spanish and Portuguese. If you speak one of those languages, you can expect live commentary during the trip. Some material is presented in its original language, so this is not the best fit if you need a fully English-language excursion.

Along Campanario Arm and the San Pedro peninsula

The first part of the route follows the picturesque Campanario Arm. The boat borders the San Pedro peninsula, giving you a changing view of the shoreline as the sailboat moves through the arm of Nahuel Huapi Lake.

This section is valuable because the scenery comes in layers. You see the peninsula, bays, islands, and open water without having to follow a road or walk from one viewpoint to another. The boat provides a slow-moving platform for looking outward, which is often the best way to appreciate a lake as large as Nahuel Huapi.

Puerto Bueno is one of the early points along the route. It is described as a bay with calm, clear water, so it offers a different mood from the wider lake. Calm water also helps the outing feel relaxed at this stage, although conditions can change quickly on any lake trip.

The route then takes in Serena Bay, Huemul Island, Isla de las Gallinas, and Isla de las Gaviotas. These names are easy to blur together on a map, but from the boat each one adds another point of interest. The islands break up the wide view, while the bays and peninsula keep the shore close enough to give the trip a sense of direction.

I would treat this part as a scenic boat ride rather than a stop-heavy sightseeing program. You are not promised long visits ashore or guided walks on the islands. The pleasure comes from seeing them from the water, with the boat carrying you from one view to the next.

The possible run to Isla de los Víveres

If the weather is suitable, the sailing continues toward Isla de los Víveres and Puerto Venado on the Neuquén coast. This is the part of the route that can make the outing feel like more than a short harbor cruise.

The wording about conditions is important. You should not book this trip with one fixed image in mind and then feel disappointed if the captain needs to adjust the route. Lake conditions determine how far the boat can go, and the listed points are possible destinations rather than guarantees in every departure.

Isla de los Víveres gives the journey a sense of distance. You are not simply circling the waterfront near Bariloche. You are moving through the lake toward a different shore, with the San Pedro peninsula and the Bariloche area gradually forming part of the wider view behind you.

Puerto Venado, on the coast of Neuquén, adds another geographic marker to the trip. For anyone interested in the shape of the Lake District, this route is useful because it lets you experience the lake as a natural connection between provinces, not just as a backdrop for the city.

The tradeoff is simple: a weather-dependent route offers variety, but it also means the exact experience cannot be guaranteed. I see that as a normal part of sailing, not a flaw, as long as you keep your expectations flexible.

A quiet bay, herbal tea, and lake snacks

The boat stops in a beautiful bay with turquoise water. Here you can pause for herbal tea and snacks while looking across Nahuel Huapi Lake.

This break adds real value to the three-hour schedule. Without it, the trip would be a continuous ride with plenty to see but little time to settle into the setting. A warm infusion and a small snack create a natural pause, letting you enjoy the view instead of treating the lake as something to photograph quickly.

The stop is also a good reason to choose this sailing trip over a standard transport crossing. You are not only getting from one place to another. You are being given time to sit, look, and enjoy the water at a slower pace.

Keep the food offering in perspective. The included refreshments are herbal infusions and snacks, not a full meal. You should plan your day accordingly, especially if this outing fits between other activities in Bariloche.

What the $130 price includes

At $130 per person, this is a special outing rather than a budget lake ride. The price covers the three-hour sailing experience, the live guide, and the herbal teas and snacks served during the bay stop.

The value comes mainly from the small group and the setting. A maximum of 10 participants means you are paying for a more personal boat experience, not simply a seat on a large commercial cruise. The route also reaches several named bays and islands, with the chance to continue toward the Neuquén coast when conditions are right.

The price does not include your transfer to Puerto Petunia. That is the main extra cost to remember. You also need to allow time to reach the meeting point at 13500 Bustillo Avenue, rather than treating the activity as something you can join from central Bariloche at the last minute.

I would consider the price fair for someone who values quiet scenery, a small group, and time on the lake. It may feel expensive if you are mainly looking for a quick panoramic ride or if you prefer a large boat with a wider range of departure times and onboard services.

Group size, language, and the pace of the outing

The group limit of 10 sets the tone. This is a compact sailing experience, so you can expect a more intimate atmosphere than a major lake excursion. The smaller number should also make it easier to follow the guide and ask questions, though the available languages are Spanish and Portuguese.

The pace is best described as unhurried. The boat follows Campanario Arm, passes bays and islands, and makes time for a stop rather than rushing through a checklist of sights. If you like having a little room to watch the water and enjoy the quiet, that pace is a strong point.

The three-hour length is long enough to feel like a proper outing without taking an entire day. You still have time for other Bariloche plans, but you should account for the journey to and from Puerto Petunia. The activity itself lasts three hours, not the full time you will spend away from your accommodation.

One verified five-star review from Ana Karolina Vega of Costa Rica, dated January 21, 2025, praised the spectacular views and friendly guides, and said she would gladly do it again. That fits the strengths of the trip: the scenery is the main event, and the small format gives the guides room to make the outing feel warm and personal.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Nahuel Huapi Lake from the water and prefer a quiet, scenic experience over a packed schedule. Couples, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy gentle sightseeing should find the format appealing.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen Bariloche from roads and lookout points. Campanario Arm, the San Pedro peninsula, and the islands offer a different angle on the area. The boat lets you understand how much of the region is shaped by water.

Families may enjoy the short duration and snacks, but the activity is still weather-dependent, so it may not suit anyone who needs a completely fixed route. Likewise, people who do not speak Spanish or Portuguese should check how comfortable they are with limited language support before booking.

This is not the right pick if you want a full-day lake expedition, a meal onboard, hotel transport, or a guaranteed visit to every listed point. The route can change with conditions, and the included food is modest.

Practical advice for a smoother departure

Plan your route to Camping Petunia before the day of the sailing. Since you must reach Puerto Petunia on your own, give yourself enough time to arrive at 13500 Bustillo Avenue and identify the correct boarding point.

When you arrive, say that you are boarding El Orgulloso. That specific name should help you confirm that you are in the right place.

Check the starting time when you book, since departure times depend on availability. The activity offers reserve now and pay later, which can help if you are arranging several Bariloche plans at once.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That policy is especially useful for a weather-sensitive outing, since it gives you room to adjust your plans if the forecast looks poor.

The company is Cumbre Patagónica. The experience has a current rating of 5 from three reviews, including the January 2025 assessment praising the views and the guides’ friendly manner. The sample is small, so I would treat that rating as encouraging rather than as proof that every departure will feel identical.

Should you book El Orgulloso?

Book this sailing trip if your priority is beautiful lake scenery in a small group, with a relaxed bay stop and the possibility of reaching Isla de los Víveres and Puerto Venado. The friendly guiding, calm pace, and herbal tea break give the three hours a pleasant sense of occasion.

Skip it if arranging your own transport to Puerto Petunia is inconvenient, if you need English guiding, or if you want a guaranteed route regardless of weather. At $130 per person, the outing earns its price through the small boat, scenery, and quiet time on Nahuel Huapi Lake, not through a long list of included services.

FAQ

How long does the sailing tour last?

The sailing tour lasts three hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $130 per person.

Where does the boat depart?

You must go directly to Camping Petunia at 13500 Bustillo Avenue, also identified as Puerto Petunia.

How do I find the correct boat?

At Camping Petunia, tell the staff that you are boarding the sailboat El Orgulloso.

Is transportation to Puerto Petunia included?

No. You must arrange your own transfer to Puerto Petunia.

What food and drinks are included?

Herbal infusions and snacks are included during the stop in a bay on Lake Nahuel Huapi.

Which languages are available?

The live guide speaks Spanish and Portuguese. Some content may be shown in its original language.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The continuation toward Isla de los Víveres and Puerto Venado depends on weather conditions.