The Chilean Fjords are a spectacular network of narrow and winding inlets cutting through the Patagonian landscape of rugged mountains, lush forests, creaking glaciers and expansive ice fields. Only accessible by ship, this region belongs to nature, with no cities or roads and no human population. Instead, only nature, wildlife, and serenity. 

Penguin colonies, whales, dolphins and elephant seals lounging on beaches are all common wildlife sights, while the ever-varied landscape provides the most stunning backdrop. This is the ideal destination for anyone wanting to get lost in nature. 

When to go?

The ships only operate during the Austral summer, from September to April, when the fjords are navigable thanks to the warmer temperatures and both flora and fauna abound. Wildlife highlights can vary by month, but the season otherwise offers fairly consistent voyages. Temperatures are always relatively low, with 23C the highest ever recorded in Punta Arenas and 4-5C to be expected around the glaciers.

Where to go?

The two main ports for the Chilean Fjords are Punta Arenas in Chile and Ushuaia in Argentina, which also serve as the gateways to Antarctica, making these two destinations easily combinable for a truly epic adventure. Cruise itineraries vary between shorter voyages exclusively within the Fjords, to longer routes that often continue along the coast and up to Valparaiso. Other ports and destinations commonly passed or visited are Puerto Natales and Puerto Montt, Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego, the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel and the famous Cape Horn.

Take a deeper dive into the Chilean Fjords and discover which operators offer the region