The end of the world is explored by water
South of Punta Arenas, the mainland breaks up into a maze of islands, fjords and channels that stretches all the way to Cape Horn, the southern tip of the Americas. Most of these places have no roads: the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, the glaciers that tumble into the sea from the Darwin range and the islands inhabited by penguins and sea lions can only be reached by boat. It is one of the most impressive journeys in Patagonia, and also one of the most demanding in terms of weather and planning.
Cape Horn
Cape Horn is on Hornos Island, inside Cabo de Hornos National Park, which in turn is part of the Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve designated by UNESCO. For centuries it was the unavoidable passage for sailing ships linking the Atlantic and the Pacific, and the number of shipwrecks in its waters gave it a reputation that still impresses today. The island now has a lighthouse and a Chilean Navy post, and an albatross-shaped monument remembers the sailors who died trying to round the cape.
Landing on the island depends on the wind and the swell. No operator can guarantee it: some days you get ashore without trouble, and on others you can only see the cape from the ship. It is best to go with that expectation.
Option 1: expedition cruise between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia
This is the best-known option. The expedition cruises linking Punta Arenas with Ushuaia cover the route in about four nights, on mid-sized ships with cabins and meals included, and run roughly from September to April. The usual itinerary includes Ainsworth Bay, the Tuckers Islets with their colony of Magellanic penguins and cormorants, Pia Glacier, the so-called Avenue of Glaciers on the Beagle Channel, Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay. Landings are made by zodiac and always depend on the weather. It is the most comfortable way to reach the cape, but also the most expensive.
Option 2: passenger and cargo ferry to Puerto Williams
There is a regular ferry service between Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams, on Navarino Island, which sails through the southern channels for about 30 hours or more. It is not a tourist cruise but the transport used by local residents, with reclining seats or bunks and meals on board. Schedules and frequency change with the season, so check them well in advance. It is an affordable and authentic way to travel the channels, although it does not go to Cape Horn.
Option 3: sailing boat from Puerto Williams
Puerto Williams is the natural starting point for sailing the Fuegian channels: the Beagle Channel, the Murray Channel, Wulaia Bay or Ponsonby Sound, on multi-day programmes with very small groups. Some expeditions try to reach Cape Horn if the weather allows. It is an intimate experience, with watches, meals on board and landings in places almost nobody visits, but it requires good health, a tolerance for seasickness and flexibility, because the wind decides the plan day by day. Puerto Williams is reached from Punta Arenas on regional flights in small aircraft or on the ferry.
What you see along the way
The Fuegian channels combine lenga and coigüe forests that reach right down to the shore, snowy mountains and glaciers that end in the water. The wildlife highlights are Magellanic penguins, cormorants, sea lions, albatrosses and petrels on the open sea and, with luck, dolphins and whales. At places like Wulaia Bay you learn about the history of the Yagán people, who navigated these channels by canoe for thousands of years before the Europeans arrived.
When to go
The tourist sailing season runs roughly from September or October to March or April. The summer months (December to February) have the longest days, with light until very late, and the mildest temperatures, although they rarely exceed 15 °C. The Magellanic penguin colonies are active in spring and summer. Whatever the season, the weather changes several times in a single day: sun, rain, hail and strong wind can follow each other within a few hours.
What to bring
- Waterproof, windproof jacket and trousers.
- Layered clothing: thermal base layer and fleece.
- Hat, gloves (ideally two pairs) and a neck gaiter.
- Waterproof footwear with a good sole for landings.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: radiation in the area is high.
- Seasickness medication, especially for stretches exposed to the open sea.
- A dry bag for your camera and phone.
Getting to Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas has daily flights from Santiago and connections with Puerto Montt and other southern cities. The ferry, the cruises and the regional flights to Puerto Williams all leave from there. Ushuaia, in Argentina, is the other end of the cruises: if you do the route one way, check how you will continue your trip from there and carry a valid passport or ID for the border crossing.
Safety and expectations
Sailing in this region means accepting that the weather is in charge. Itinerary changes, cancelled landings and days waiting in port are part of the experience, not an organisational failure. If you are prone to seasickness, ask in advance what the most exposed stretches are like and choose the type of vessel accordingly: a large ship moves less than a sailing boat. For sailing expeditions, ask about the safety equipment on board, the crew's experience and the plan if the weather forces a change of route.
Guides and expeditions on Trekonda
On Trekonda you can browse the expeditions and sailing trips in Punta Arenas and Tierra del Fuego and the local guides in Punta Arenas, and message them directly, with no intermediary commission. Before booking, ask what the programme includes, how many people are travelling, what happens if the weather prevents a landing and what gear you should bring.
Frequently asked questions
Can you land on Cape Horn?
Sometimes. It depends on the wind and swell on the day of the visit, and no operator can guarantee it.
How long is the voyage?
Expedition cruises between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia last about four nights; the ferry to Puerto Williams about 30 hours or more; sailing expeditions several days depending on the programme.
When is the best time?
From October to March, with the longest days in December and January.
Will I get seasick?
It depends on the person, the vessel and the stretch. The inner channels are usually calm; the open waters near Cape Horn can be rough. Bring medication and ask your guide, or look through the available sailing trips to choose the one that suits you best.