turisma looking at serrano glacier from viewpoint
tourist walking up to Serrano glacier in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
man walking on wooden footbridge in front of serrano glacier
tourists on boat deck looking at balmaceda glacier
tourists accessing Bernardo O'Higgins National Park in Puerto Toro
railed trail to the serrano glacier lookout point
tourists hiking in the Patagonian forest in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
balmaceda glacier as seen from the deck of the ship
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Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers – Half-Day Tour without Lunch

Half-day boat tour to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers from Puerto Natales

🆕🚢 NEW TOUR!

Puerto Natales
1 day
Spanish and English
Starts: At 6:30 a.m. from Muelle Arturo Prat (EPA) in Puerto Natales
Ends: To Muelle Arturo Prat (EPA) in Puerto Natales at 1:00 p.m.
Free cancellation!

Briefing

During the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers – Half-Day Tour without Lunch you will sail through the Última Esperanza Fjord. From inside the boat or out on deck, you can admire the Balmaceda Glacier, several Patagonian estancias, waterfalls, a colony of imperial cormorants, and another of sea lions. All this while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea with a croissant.

You will disembark in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park for a short walk along a trail to the Serrano Glacier viewpoint. Once back on board, the return trip to Puerto Natales includes stunning views and a glass of whisky served with glacier ice.

Unlike the classic Balmaceda and Serrano Boat Full Day Tour, this tour lasts 6 hours, starts earlier in the morning, and does not include lunch at a Patagonian estancia—so you will be back in Puerto Natales right around lunchtime.

Tour details

Included

  • Boar tour
  • Spanish/English guide
  • Coffee or tea + croissant onboard
  • Glass of whisky with glacier ice or a non-alcoholic beverage
  • Entrance to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
  • Port taxes

Not included

  • Transfers between accommodation and the meeting point

Important information

📍 This tour does not include accommodation pick-up. You must make your own way to Puerto Natales Arturo Prat Pier (EPA).

For passenger safety, the boat tour may be canceled in case of bad weather.

Departures in October, March, and April are subject to a minimum of 20 passengers to be confirmed. If this minimum is not reached, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund of your booking.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation!

Bookings for 6 passengers or fewer: cancel at least 3 days before the start of the tour and receive a 100% refund.

Bookings for 7 passengers or more: cancel at least 8 days before the start of the tour and receive a 100% refund.

Tour itinerary

Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour

🕗 Duration: 6 hours

✅ Departures: from October 1 to April 30

Puerto Natales

At 6:30 AM, you will make your own way to the meeting point at Arturo Prat Pier. We recommend arriving on time so you can choose good seats on the boat, as they are not pre-assigned.

Once all passengers are on board, the boat departs at 7:00 AM and breakfast is served: coffee or tea with a croissant.

Tourists boarding the boat in Puerto Bories for the Balmaceda and Serrano glacier tour.

Ultima Esperanza Fjord to Puerto Toro

For about two hours, you will sail through the Última Esperanza Fjord, as the boat approaches different points of interest such as the Bories Cold-Storage Plant, several small estancias (Patagonian ranches), glaciers and waterfalls, a colony of imperial cormorants, and a rocky outcrop home to a small colony of sea lions. The captain will stop the boat at the best viewing spots so you can admire them either from your seat or from one of the two decks, while listening to the guide’s commentary on board.

Tourist taking picture of waterfall in Ultima Esperanza Fjord

Serrano Glacier

Upon arrival at Puerto Toro, you will disembark for a short one-hour excursion. You will walk for about 20 minutes along a designated trail inside Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. This trail is adapted with wooden walkways over the more uneven sections, making it accessible for all travelers. The path leads to the Serrano Glacier viewpoint, where you will have free time to take in the scenery, snap photos, and enjoy nature. Finally, you will return to the boat by walking back along the same trail.

Tourists taking pictures in front of the Serrano glacier

Balmaceda Glacier and return to Puerto Natales

On the return boat tour, the vessel approaches the Balmaceda Glacier, and a glass of whisky with glacier ice is served. The trip ends back at Arturo Prat Pier at 1:00 PM—the perfect time to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants in Puerto Natales.

Tourists looking at Balmaceda glacier from boat

What to bring to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers – Half-Day without Lunch tour

Keep in mind that Patagonia’s weather is very unpredictable and temperatures can vary greatly throughout the day. During the boat tour, you can step out of the cabin and walk on the deck, so you should be prepared for wind and splashes. There is also a short walk included, so comfortable footwear is important. We recommend bringing:

  • Small backpack
  • Warm, waterproof clothing
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Gloves
  • Sunscreen
  • Suitable shoes for walking

Where does the tour Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers – Half-Day without Lunch start

The tour starts and ends at the meeting point located in the port area of Puerto Natales: Puerto Natales Prat Pier (EPA) at 6:30 AM.

Plan your trip with this complete guide on how to get to Puerto Natales. Discover all the routes and transportation options.

Questions & Answers

  • What is the capacity of the boat?

    The boat can accommodate 120 passengers on the lower deck and 48 on the upper deck.

  • How are the seats assigned?

    Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend arriving on time.

  • Can the tour be canceled due to bad weather?

    Yes. If the weather conditions are not safe—especially due to strong winds—the tour will be canceled just minutes before departure (as conditions can change quickly). In that case, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

  • Is there a cafeteria service on board?

    Yes. In addition to the drinks included in the tour, the onboard cafeteria offers cold and hot non-alcoholic beverages and snacks for purchase.

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