Fernandez, Juan (c. 1536-c. 1604), Spanish navigator and explorer.
Fernandez was sailing by the time he was 14 and gained much knowledge from his voyages between Panama, Peru and Chile. He knew how to take advantage of the trade winds off the South American coast and was called brujo, or wizard, because of his expertise.
In 1563, he sailed from Callao, Peru, to Valparaiso, Chile, a voyage that was considered a remarkable feat. Fernandez also discovered the Juan Fernandez Islands, west of Valparaiso, Chile, and tried to establish a colony there.
He discovered the Pacific islands of San Felix and San Ambrosio in 1574 and is reputed to have discovered Australia or New Zealand around 1576.
