Take the Scenic Route

Cruise to Straits Of Magellan, Chile

For thousands of years, the passages of Chile's southern point, the Straits of Magellan, were explored solely by indigenous seafarers, untouched by the outside world. Today, the straits are known for their rugged beauty and charismatic wildlife, including Magellanic penguins. Sailing from east to west, the landscape changes from tranquil islands of rolling hills to jagged mountains as your ship enters the southern end of the Andes. Grandiose glaciers, roaring waterfalls and white-capped peaks loom in sizes a camera can't capture. Though the Straits of Magellan are home to few human residents, they're teeming with wildlife. When you visit the Straits of Magellan, Chile, peer at the coastline to see flocks of Magellanic penguins, sunbathing sea lions, fluffy fur seals and gargantuan elephant seals who call this remote region home.

Things To Do while cruising the Straits Of Magellan

Lago Grey in the Torres del Paine national Park, Patagonia, Chile.

Admire Dazzling Glaciers and Dramatic Fjords

Cruise through the Straits of Magellan and you'll be gazing at a landscape few people have seen. Swirls of mist roll over dramatic snow-capped mountain peaks and plummeting cliffs, remnants of the Andes Mountain Range. You're bound to be awestruck by the sparkling glaciers and jagged fjords.

Humpback whale tail in the feeding area of Magellan Strait in Parque Marino Francisco Coloane at Patagonia, Chile

Watch for Wildlife

One of the best things to do in the Straits of Magellan, Chile is to look out for the quirky Magellanic penguins who nest and forage for food along the coastline. Sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals are also often spotted scooting and sunbathing on the shore. These nutrient-rich waters are also a favored spot for migrating cetaceans, like orca whales, humpback whales and dolphins. Overhead, majestic seabirds soar.

Colony of magellanic penguins on Magdalena island, Strait of Magellan, Chile

Let Lighthouses Lead the Way

While today's ships have electronic navigation systems outfitted with GPS tracking to help with Straits of Magellan, Chile travel, sailors of the past relied on chart plotting, compasses and shining lights from lighthouses to navigate the straits. Today, over 40 lighthouses illuminate the Straits of Magellan, many over a century old. Look out for the red-striped lighthouse of Magdalena Island, an islet inhabited by Magellanic penguins.