Chile News and Travel | By Raul Silva M.
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| A view of Puerto Williams Photo: elmagallanico.com |
As of March 2019, the Port and Naval Base of Puerto Williams ceased to be considered a town and is now recognized as a city. This change stems from a redefinition by the INE (National Statistics Institute of Chile), which classifies urban centers with more than 5,000 inhabitants, or those with the status of regional or provincial capital, as "cities." It's worth noting that Puerto Williams, with just under 3,000 residents, is the capital of the Chilean Antarctic Province.
This reclassification means Puerto Williams, due to its new status and coordinates at 54° 56' S, 67° 37' W, will officially be regarded as the southernmost city in the world. Ten kilometers to the north is the Argentine city of Ushuaia, which previously held that title. This designation is significant for the Chilean city and, broadly, for the Magallanes and Antarctic Region, as tourism is one of the pillars of both the regional and national economy.
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Puerto Williams is a small industrial port and naval base, founded in 1953. It is the capital of the Chilean Antarctic Province and is located on the northern shore of Navarino Island, at the southern tip of the South American continent. Despite its small population of about 3,000 people, Puerto Williams is considered the southernmost town in the world, with a latitude of 54° 56' 00" S, south of the nearby Argentine tourist city of Ushuaia.
Unlike the rest of the country, this part of Chile is the only one that borders Argentina on the North and given it is also a Naval Base, there is a significant presence of uniformed personnel. Apart from its singular location in the Globe, other attractions of Puerto Williams lie in its spectacular nature, made up of forests and a mountain range crossed by paths of great beauty, through which we can discover the animal and plant diversity while enjoying the richness of its landscape, dominated by the Beagle Channel, so called in commemoration of the brig that brought the naturalist Charles Darwin in the early nineteenth century.
Another emblematic, world-renowned place within the commune is the legendary Cape Horn, one of the great icons of navigation which marks the end of the American continent.
Another emblematic, world-renowned place within the commune is the legendary Cape Horn, one of the great icons of navigation which marks the end of the American continent.
Puerto Williams is located in such a remote area of the World (more than 3500 km. South of Santiago, the Chilean capital) that according to a recent comparative study, its waters are the purest on the planet, according to what was said by the US scientist Guido Verbeck, of the University of North Texas.
How to get there
Puerto Williams is located on the north shore of Isla Navarino, separated from Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego by the Beagle Channel. The distance from Punta Arenas, the main regional city is of 303 nautical miles (561 km.) You can reach Williams:
- By plane: There is a regular service by Aerovias DAP departing from Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport in Punta Arenas, daily in high season and three times a week in low season.
- By sea: Every Wednesday, from the Tres Puentes Ferry Terminal in Punta Arenas, a ship leaves to Puerto Williams. The voyage lasts approximately 36 hours.
Puerto Williams, Google Map.
Important places in Puerto Williams and surroundings:
Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum
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| Museum and Stirling House to the left |
Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church
Local Catholic temple, dedicated to the Patron Saint of Chile, very representative building of Puerto Williams. Inside is also the "Virgen de los Loberos" (Patron Saint of Sea Lion hunters), who in ancient times ventured into the sea with their fragile boats.
Prow of the steam tugboat "Yelcho"
In Puerto Williams, at a side of the Liceo (Secondary School), you can see the prow of the "Escampavía Yelcho" (Cutter boat "Yelcho"), a ship belonging to the Chilean Navy that in 1916 carried out the heroic rescue of the Imperial Trans- Antarctic Expedition of Ernest Shackleton at Elephant Island, Chilean Antarctic Territory. See Wikipedia article here.Dientes de Navarino Trekking Circuit
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| Image: Lakutaia Patagonia & Cape Horn |
Windhond Lake Circuit
The Lago Windhond tourist circuit is located to the south of Navarino Island and is a less popular alternative to the famous Dientes de Navarino Circuit. The route to Lago Windhond starts south from Puerto Williams and offers a well-signed and maintained path through the woods, small valleys, and lagoons.
The circuit can be combined with the Dientes de Navarino Circuit, and the entire trek is estimated to take around seven days. The area is known for its scenic beauty, including views of glaciers, and opportunities to spot dolphins, sea lions, and whales during the ferry trip from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams. In addition, Windhond Lake is one of the places where you can go sport fishing, with the added bonus of doing it in one of the most remote places on the planet. To do this route, just like with the Dientes de Navarino tourist circuit, you must register at Carabineros de Chile (the militarized police institution).
"Omora" Ethnobotanical Park
Parque Etnobotanico "Omora" is a 1,000-hectare private protected area located 4 km west of Puerto Williams on Navarino Island. Its name means "hummingbird" in the Yaghan language, the native language of the region's original inhabitants.
The park is home to the southernmost sub-Antarctic temperate forest in the world, featuring a remarkable diversity of plants, lichens, mosses, and animals. Additionally, it serves as a hub for scientific research, environmental education, and biocultural conservation activities, which integrate ethics, philosophy, and ecology.
Omora Park offers a visitor center, laboratory, guest house, and interpretive trails, where visitors can observe nature through specialized magnifying glasses. Parque Omora is an ideal destination for those wishing to learn about and appreciate the natural and cultural heritage of southern Chile.
However, "Omora" is not just an ordinary park. Since the year 2000, in collaboration with the New York Botanical Garden,
scientists have been working to understand and preserve the abundant diversity of mosses, lichens, and liverworts (a type of bryophyte) found in the area. Cape Horn and its surroundings cover just 0.01% of the Earth's surface but are home to 7% of the world’s bryophyte diversity—small, ancient green plants of significant scientific importance.
"Micalvi" Yacht Club
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| Club de Yates "Micalvi" (Micalvi Yacht Club) Image: Hostal Forjadores del Cabo de Hornos |
"Club de Yates Micalvi" is a unique and welcoming place, with an authentic marine atmosphere left by the hundreds of sailors who have been there, leaving their memories and experiences hanging on the walls either as flags, photos, posters and gifts, all full of dates, dedications and signatures. Currently, many marine services are offered such as to provide of water and electricity, showers, Wifi, diesel fuel, a permanent boatswain at the club, garbage collection apart from other land-based activities including hiking and horseback riding.
Cape Horn International Center
Address: 310 O'Higgins St., Puerto Williams. High level research center on sub-Antarctic ecosystems, education and climate change for biocultural conservation and a sustainable future.
Among its main features is its structure of three interconnected pavilions. One is a scientific complex, with laboratories and facilities to house researchers. The second is an academic center, with classrooms for students of the Universidad de Magallanes. Finally, the third pavilion is for visitors and tourists, with a museum exhibit and facilities such as a library, cafeteria, auditorium and viewpoint.
Angling around Puerto Williams
On Navarino Island, there are several lakes and rivers suitable for fishing. These spots offer the added appeal of being situated in one of the most remote and pristine regions of the planet. Tours are available both by land and by helicopter. The main fishing destinations are Lago Navarino and Lago Windhond. The fishing season runs from October to April.
Cape Horn National Park
Although Puerto Williams lies outside Cape Horn National Park, the town serves as an essential gateway for those venturing into this awe-inspiring and remote area. Situated at the southern tip of Chile, the park is known as the world's southernmost national park and encompasses the remote archipelagos of the Wollaston and Hermite Islands.
Parque Nacional Cabo de Hornos spans over 63,000 hectares and was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2005, highlighting its ecological significance. The park's landscapes are characterized by rugged coastlines, windswept vegetation, and pristine ecosystems. Flora includes mosses, lichens, and small patches of native trees like the Magellanic coigüe and canelo, while the fauna features Magellanic penguins, albatrosses, and marine mammals such as sea lions and dolphins.
In addition to sea cruises from Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, visitors can reach the park via a 12-hour boat trip from Puerto Williams. This makes the town an essential base for exploring the pristine wilderness, striking beauty, and unique wildlife of this remote corner of the world.
Cape Horn National Park is a must-visit destination for adventurers seeking the ultimate connection to nature and the extraordinary landscapes of the far south.
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