




Whale Watching & Glaciers Punta Arenas - Full-Day Boat Tour
Whale watching, sea fauna and Glaciers navigation through the Francisco Coloane Marine Park
New tour!
Briefing
Get ready for an unforgettable whale-watching adventure in the Strait of Magellan with the Whale Watching & Glaciers Punta Arenas - Full-Day Boat Tour! You’ll cruise by Cape Froward, the southernmost point of the continental world, and see stunning Patagonian glaciers while spotting humpback whales, sei whales, southern dolphins, and Magellanic penguins. The tour starts early from Punta Arenas, giving you 10 hours surrounded by breathtaking mountains and forests.
The day starts with a transfer to Carrera Bay, where you’ll hop on the boat and head into the Strait of Magellan. Enjoy a spectacular sunrise over Tierra de Fuego and watch elephant seals and sea lions in their natural habitat. You’ll sail past Fort Bulnes and Cape Froward before reaching Francisco Coloane Marine Park to get close to the glaciers around Santa Inés Island.
To top it all off, enjoy a delicious meal on board while taking in those gorgeous views. The tour includes a bilingual guide, coffee service, breakfast, lunch, a glass of whiskey with ancient ice, and roundtrip transportation from Punta Arenas. It’s going to be an epic day!
Tour details
Included
- Sailing to the Francisco Coloane Marine Park sector.
- Onboard coffee service
- Bilingual Guide (Spanish/English)
- Breakfast and lunch
- Whiskey glass with millennial ice
- Roundtrip transportation from Punta Arenas
Not included
- Pick-up and Drop-off at the Hotel
- Other services not mentioned
Important information
📅 Season: the Whale Watching Punta Arenas tour runs from October 1st to March 31st, with scheduled departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
If you're in Punta Arenas on a different day, just reach out to us, and we’ll let you know about available sailings..
⛅ Weather: Sailing is subject to weather conditions. If the tour gets canceled due to bad weather, our refund policies outlined in the Cancellation Policy section will apply. If conditions allow for sailing but worsen afterward, the captain may decide to cancel the trip and head back. In that case, we guarantee that you'll at least reach Cape Froward.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation!
If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour begins, you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of a no-show, no refunds will be provided.
Cancellation due to weather conditions
- If the activity is canceled prior to departure we will refund 100% of the amount paid.
- If the activity is canceled during the tour:
- If only the land transfer to the embarkation sector takes place and weather conditions prevent navigation, you will be refunded 90% of the amount paid.
- If the weather conditions allow sailing and after sailing, the weather worsens, the captain will have the power to decide to return to the point of disembarkation. In this situation, we will reimburse 50% of the amount paid.
Tour itinerary
Whale Watching & Glaciers Punta Arenas
Duration of tour: 12-14 hours.
Navigation duration: 10 hours.
Difficulty level: low.
Meeting in Punta Arenas
We will meet at 4:00 a.m. at the designated location in the port area of Punta Arenas, near Muelle Prat. The exact location will be provided in your reservation confirmation. After checking in, you'll board the minibus for a 50-minute ride to the pier in Bahia Carrera.
Meeting at Bahia Carrera
If you prefer to use your own vehicle, you can go directly to Bahia Carrera by 5:00 a.m. and start the tour at the pier.

Sunrise in Tierra de Fuego - Fuerte de Bulnes
We set sail! During the initial part of the boat trip, you'll be treated to a stunning sunrise over Tierra de Fuego, with views of Fort Bulnes. This historic fortification was the first Chilean structure built in the Strait of Magellan, and the vibrant colors of the sunrise on the horizon are sure to captivate you!
You'll also have the opportunity to pass by the San Isidro Lighthouse, adding to the beauty of this unforgettable experience.

Cape Froward
Next, you'll sail past Cape Froward, the southernmost point of continental America. From the boat, you’ll have the chance to observe elephant seals and sea lions lounging on the rocks in the distance. The journey from the pier to Cape Froward takes approximately an hour and a half, providing plenty of time to take in the stunning scenery and wildlife along the way.

Francisco Coloane Marine Park
The navigation will continue for two more hours until we reach the Francisco Coloane Marine Park. Once in this incredible area, you'll have the opportunity to witness majestic humpback whales, as well as a variety of seabirds including cormorants, skuas, petrels, and albatrosses. You may also see sea lions and elephant seals resting on the shores. If you're fortunate, you might even spot groups of orcas swimming in their natural habitat! This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiasts.

Glaciers of Santa Inés Island
The adventure continues! The ship will approach the glaciers of Santa Inés Island, allowing you to admire these colossal ice formations up close. After a morning filled with awe-inspiring sights, you'll enjoy a delicious lunch on board (included in the tour) to recharge your energy. With satisfied appetites, you'll begin the return trip to Punta Arenas, taking in the breathtaking scenery of this remote corner of Patagonia. It's a perfect way to reflect on the incredible experiences of the day while surrounded by nature's beauty!

Return to Punta Arenas
The return trip to the pier takes about three and a half hours. During this journey, you'll have the opportunity to contemplate the spectacular landscapes of this remote corner of Patagonia. You will arrive at Bahia Carrera at 04:00 p.m.. If you began your tour in Bahia Carrera, this marks the end of your whale-watching adventure in the Strait of Magellan. However, if your day started in the city of Punta Arenas, you'll board a minibus for a 50-minute drive back to the city, arriving around 05:00 p.m. It's a perfect way to conclude an unforgettable day filled with wildlife encounters and stunning natural beauty!

What to bring to Whale Watching & Glaciers Punta Arenas - Full-Day Boat tour
- Sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Backpack or small bag
- Water
- Warm clothing
- Waterproof jacket
- Comfortable shoes
- Personal documentation
- Camera (we recommend you to bring protection, especially if you are traveling with professional photographic equipment).
Where does the tour Whale Watching & Glaciers Punta Arenas - Full-Day Boat start
The tour kicks off and wraps up at the meeting point in the port area of Punta Arenas, close to Prat Pier. We’ll provide the exact location in your reservation confirmation. The tour includes a transfer to and from Punta Arenas to the pier in Bahia Carrera, which is about 50 km south of the city (a 50-minute drive). If you’d rather drive yourself, you can start and end the tour directly at Bahia Carrera.
Plan your trip with this guide on how to get to Punta Arenas. Explore all routes and transport options.
Questions & Answers
What type of vessel is used for navigation?
Navigation through the Strait of Magellan is carried out in a catamaran designed to offer comfort and stability, with capacity for 120 passengers.
What is the probability of seeing whales during the tour?
The probability of seeing whales during the Whales and Glaciers Tour in Punta Arenas is very high, since the tour only takes place during the summer months, when these majestic animals migrate to the South Pole in search of food. The Francisco Coloane Marine Park is home to an abundant population of krill and small fish, which are their main source of nutrition. However, since animal behavior can be unpredictable, we cannot guarantee 100% sightings.
What is the best time of the year for whale watching in Patagonia?
The best time for whale watching in the Strait of Magellan is during the summer months when the tour takes place, specifically from December to March, when the whales migrate south in search of food.
What species of whales can be seen during the tour?
During the tour, it is possible to observe several species, including humpback whales, sei whales and, on occasion, orcas. Southern dolphins and other marine animals can also be seen.
How long is the Whales and Glaciers Tour in Punta Arenas?
The complete tour generally lasts about 14 hours starting in Punta Arenas, including navigation time, sighting stops and transfers to the city. Total sailing time is 10 hours.
Is the tour safe and what security measures are implemented?
Yes, the tour is safe. Various safety measures are implemented, such as life-saving equipment on board, clear instructions from staff and trained guides to ensure a safe experience.
What other marine animals can be observed during the tour?
In addition to whales, it is common to see sea lions, elephant seals and various seabirds, as well as Magellanic penguins on some routes.
Is there any kind of guide or information provided during the tour?
Yes, we have bilingual guides (Spanish/English) who provide information about the species that can be seen and interesting facts about the region.
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