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| Image: fotonaturaleza.cl |
- Climate
The regional climate is cold temperate. The eastern part of the Strait, closer to the Atlantic Ocean, is much drier, less rainy, and warmer than the western side near the Pacific, which is considerably wetter, more vegetated, and colder.
During fall and winter, cloud cover is frequent, and conditions can be harsh, with temperatures sometimes staying several degrees below zero for days. Winds—often very strong—are more common in spring and summer, frequently exceeding 100 km/h. The average annual temperature in this area ranges from 6°C to 8°C, with summer highs around 20°C and winter lows reaching -8°C. In winter, wind chill can make it feel significantly colder than the actual temperature.
- How to get to the Strait of Magellan
Air travel is the most common way to reach the region. The main airport is Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport, located 22 km north of Punta Arenas. Major airlines operate there, including LATAM, Sky Airline, JetSmart, and Aerovías DAP, along with Antarctic Airways, which offers charter flights for tourism and expeditions to the Antarctic Continent.
Another important airport is Teniente Gallardo Airport in Puerto Natales, which mainly receives travelers headed to the Torres del Paine National Park area.
During the high tourist season, traveling by sea is also a great option to reach the Magallanes Region. The journey begins in the city of Puerto Montt and ends in Puerto Natales. It’s a spectacular four-day, three-night voyage through the intricate southern fjords, passing by majestic glaciers and volcanoes, untouched forests, remote national parks, and abundant wildlife.
Tourist attractions along the Strait of Magellan
- City of Punta Arenas
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| Roca Street Image: Radio Universidad de Chile |
Known as “La Perla del Estrecho” (“The Pearl of the Strait”), Punta Arenas is the regional capital and main city of Southern Patagonia. Founded in 1848, it grew thanks to the efforts of thousands of immigrants from Chile and various European countries.
Today, the city is home to around 150,000 residents and boasts excellent infrastructure for visitors, including two seaports and an international airport. Since its beginnings in the 19th century, Punta Arenas has been a hub of commercial activity, with a Free Port, a Free Trade Zone, and major shopping centers.
Although the Magallanes Region is geographically isolated from the rest of Chile, its capital serves as the main gateway to numerous natural attractions in the area and is also a key access point to the Antarctic continent.
- Museo Nao Victoria
The Nao Victoria Museum is an exhibition center in Punta Arenas that features full-scale replicas of ships with great historical significance to the Magellan region and the Chilean Antarctic. Among them are the Nao Victoria, the first ship to circumnavigate the globe and explore what is now the Strait of Magellan; the James Caird, the lifeboat that saved Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition; the HMS Beagle, the vessel that brought Charles Darwin to study the region’s flora and fauna; and the Schooner Ancud, which claimed the Strait of Magellan for Chile.
The museum offers an interactive and educational experience, allowing visitors to board the ships and learn about the history, culture, and navigation of centuries past. It is conveniently located about 8 km north of the city.
- Zodiac Boat and Kayak Tours
The Strait of Magellan is an ideal destination for Zodiac boat or kayak tours, especially when guided by a specialized company. These excursions offer a unique way to experience the region’s rugged nature and rich history, allowing you to access remote places that are otherwise unreachable—such as islands, glaciers, and colonies of marine animals.
There are options for all levels of adventurers, ranging from calm coastal navigation to more challenging expeditions through the intricate channels and fjords.
It is essential to take some precautions to avoid risks and mishaps. Always check the weather and sea conditions for the area you plan to explore. The Strait of Magellan is known for its strong winds, shifting currents, and large waves, so prior experience and the right equipment are highly recommended. It's also important to follow safety regulations and avoid straying too far from the coast.
Among the most remarkable places to visit are Agua Fresca Bay; Cape Froward—the southernmost point of the South American mainland; San Isidro Lighthouse; birdwatching and marine wildlife encounters, including intelligent and playful dolphins, seals, and, with luck, majestic whales; hidden waterfalls and glaciers tucked into remote fjords; and Magdalena Island, home to a large penguin colony.
- Parque del Estrecho de Magallanes
50 km. south of Punta Arenas, is located the small Santa Ana Peninsula, a remote and peaceful place that houses the Parque Estrecho de Magallanes. Within the protected area of almost 250 hectares there is a museum and 2 places of great historical importance that can be visited:
- Museo del Estrecho, a must-see visit to the modern gallery that with audiovisual methods, scale models of historic ships and explanations by the guides tells the history of the place and the events linked to the important interoceanic passage.
- Monumento Histórico Nacional Fuerte Bulnes, reconstruction in detail of the facilities where Chile took possession of the Strait of Magellan in 1843.
- Monumento Histórico Nacional Rey Don Felipe, place also known as Puerto del Hambre (Port Famine), the first European attempt to settle the northern shore of the Strait in 1584. The effort of Spanish colonization had a tragic end since its protagonists perished of starvation.
- Faro San Isidro (San Isidro Lighthouse)
Located 75 km south of Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of the Brunswick Peninsula, this lighthouse was inaugurated in 1904, during the peak years of maritime traffic through the strait—prior to the construction of the Panama Canal. It is considered emblematic, as it is the southernmost lighthouse on the South American mainland.
Although not one of the most well-known circuits in Patagonia, the trek to San Isidro Lighthouse is undoubtedly worth the effort. The path, which runs along sand and rocks, can be challenging, but the experience of walking the last few kilometers of the American mainland is unforgettable. You're surrounded by awe-inspiring nature, accompanied by seabirds, dolphins, and—if you're lucky—whales.
- Cabo Froward (Cape Froward and Cross of the Seas)
Navigation and ascent to the southernmost point of the continent Located 90 kilometers southwest of Punta Arenas, Cabo Froward was named in 1587 by the English privateer Thomas Cavendish due to its extremely hostile climate, marked by strong winds and frequent rain. Today, however, it stands as one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the region.
At the top of the cape, a large metal cross known as the Cruz de los Mares (Cross of the Seas) was inaugurated in 1987 to commemorate Pope John Paul II’s visit to Chile. Previous crosses were erected in 1913 and 1944, but both were destroyed by the harsh weather. In addition to honoring the Pope’s visit, this structure—located at 370 m a.s.l.—marks the southernmost point of the South American continent.
During the high season (October to March), guided tours are available through agencies based in Punta Arenas.
- Francisco Coloane Marine Protected Area
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| Image: esculturasymonumentos.com |
So named in honor of the Chilean writer who lived and set most of his works in this region, the extreme south of Chile.
Created in 2003, it covers an area of sea and coastline of 67,000 hectares. Due to its remote location, between the islands of Santa Ines, Riesco and the Brunswick Peninsula, access is only by sea from Punta Arenas, where the tours begin.
- Magdalena Island Penguin Colony
Isla Magdalena (Magdalena Island) is located in the Strait of Magellan, a short distance from Punta Arenas (approximately 23 mi.) Together with Marta Island, they form one of the most important penguin colonies in the South American Cone, Los Pingüinos Natural Monument. In the early 2000's, a census was conducted that recorded a population of over 60,000 individuals. As a curious fact, the avifauna, as well as the sea lions of the area, were already mentioned in the reports of Magellan's expedition in the 16th century.
- Travel through the channels of Chilean-Argentinean Patagonia
Australis Cruises is a Chilean company specializing in cruises through the southernmost channels of Patagonia, including the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, in 4 and 8-night programs that follow different routes between the cities of Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, on the island of Tierra del Fuego. The voyages take place during the high season, between September and April of the following year.
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