balmaceda serrano bernardo o higgins
howlanders girl walking on the trail overlooking serrano glacier
glass of whiskey
penguin colony
girl taking pictures on the boat
balmaceda and serrano glacier tour
sea lions
exterior of estancia perales
exterior of estancia perales with the boat in the background
food estancia perales
people disembarking at estancia perales
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Balmaceda and Serrano boat tour

Boat tour to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers from Puerto Natales

(55 reviews)
Puerto Natales
1 day
Spanish and English
Starts: From the meeting point, located in the center of Puerto Natales at 7:00 am (from September to March) or at 8:00 am (from April to August).
Ends: To the meeting point at 4:30 pm (from September to March) or at 5:30 pm (from April to August).
Free cancellation!

Briefing

The Balmaceda Serrano Glaciers Tour is the most popular boat tour in Puerto Natales, a full day discovering one of the most iconic sites in Patagonia.

Aboard a magnificent ship, you will visit the two most impressive glaciers in Chile: the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. During the boat ride, you will see sea lions, cormorants, waterfalls, and more! You’ll have a chance to disembark in the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park to walk to the Serrano Glacier viewpoint. The trails that lead into the forest are also great for exploring. Upon your return to the ship, you’ll be offered a glass of whiskey with millenary ice from the glaciers, a cup of coffee, or a warm cup of tea. A traditional Patagonian estancia will be served for lunch before returning to Puerto Natales.

Are you ready to venture out to the glaciers? 😊 Here are all the details of the tour:

Tour details

Included

  • Navigation
  • Guide
  • Coffee or tea on board the vessel
  • Glass of whiskey with millenary glacier ice
  • Hike to the base of Serrano Glacier
  • Traditional Patagonian food

Not included

  • Alcoholic beverages on the vessel

Important information

📍This tour doesn’t offer transfers. Your details are requested to contact you in case of a no-show. 

This tour also requires a minimum of 25 passengers, and in the unlikely event it’s not reached, you will be offered an alternative date or activity.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellations!

  • Reservations of 4 passengers or less: if you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour starts, you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid.
  • Reservations of 5 passengers or more: if you cancel at least 10 days before the tour starts, you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid.

After this time, or in case of a no-show, no refunds will be given.

Tour itinerary

Balmaceda and Serrano Boat Tour

🕗 Duration: 10 hours
✅ Departure: All year

Puerto Natales

At the indicated time, you’ll go to the meeting point located in the center of Puerto Natales. After a short explanation of the tour, you’ll take the transport to Puerto Bories, located about 3.1 mi. (5 km) away. Once there, you’ll board the ship and begin your adventure!

If you’d like to go directly to Puerto Bories with a private vehicle, your tour guide will be waiting for you at 7:45 am or 8:30 am (depending on the season).

Howlanders TIP 💙

We advise punctuality so you can take one of the first transports to the port, allowing you to find good seats on the boat.

Tourists boarding a catamaran at Puerto Bories for the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers tour

Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers

Setting sail towards the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, will take you through the Ultima Esperanza Fjord. In this first part of the tour, you’ll witness the overflowing nature of Patagonia. The boat will approach the cormorant colonies, the sea lion ravine (where you will observe sea lions), the condor cliff, and the great waterfalls.

Passengers on board the catamaran sailing through fjords and waterfalls in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park

Bernardo O'Higgins National Park

The tour continues to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. Passengers can disembark at Puerto Toro, and take a 40-minute walk along a path to the lush forest of coihues and southern beeches. At the end of the route, is the main viewpoint in front of the great Serrano Glacier, where you have the most spectacular views of this great glacier.

At this point, you’ll have some free time to enjoy the glacier views and explore the trails on the way back to the boat.

Girl with a backpack seen from behind admiring the Serrano Glacier in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park

Estancia Perales

After returning to the ship, the crew will welcome you with a glass of whiskey chilled with millenary glacier ice, a cup of coffee, or a hot cup of tea.

The ship will then sail to a traditional Patagonian estancia, where you will disembark once more to enjoy lunch: salad, soup, grilled lamb, potatoes, and dessert, accompanied by Chilean wine or another beverage of your choice. If you are vegetarian, there are also options for you. 😉

Wooden dining room at Estancia Perales, where travelers enjoy lunch during the boat tour

Return to Puerto Natales

After lunch, the ship will return to Puerto Natales. You’ll arrive at Puerto Boires where the transfer will take you to the city center. You should be back around 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm (depending on the season).

Tourist bus departing from Puerto Bories to Puerto Natales

What to bring to Balmaceda and Serrano boat tour

  • Passport (the same passport used to book the tour)
  • Waterproof shoes with thick soles
  • Sunglasses
  • Gloves
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Raincoat or poncho

Where does the tour Balmaceda and Serrano boat start

The tour starts in the city of Puerto Natales. If you are traveling from Santiago de Chile the best option is to take a flight to Punta Arenas and from there you can catch a bus (travel time: 3:15 hours) that will take you to the bus station in Puerto Natales or hire a private transportation service with us.

If you are traveling from El Calafate (Argentina), some buses connect directly to Puerto Natales with a 5-hour travel time or you can book a private service with us.

Questions & Answers

  • What is the boat's capacity?

    Up to 150 people can travel on the boat.

  • Can the tour be canceled due to bad weather?

    Yes, in case the weather conditions are unsafe, especially due to wind, the tour will be canceled and you will be offered another date or a full refund.

  • Does the Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier tour depart all year round?

    Yes, the Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier tour departs all year round however during the winter months and low season (May-August) the number of departures is reduced.

Balmaceda and Serrano boat tour reviews with Howlanders

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