{"id":100663,"date":"2026-11-04T15:04:07","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T15:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/?p=100663"},"modified":"2026-11-04T15:04:39","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T15:04:39","slug":"strait-of-magellan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/strait-of-magellan","title":{"rendered":"The Strait of Magellan by Ship (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"The Strait of Magellan by Ship (2026)\",\n            \"description\": \"How to sail the Strait of Magellan in 2026: TABSA ferries, Australis expedition cruises, big-ship transits, penguins, history and tips.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/strait-of-magellan\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-11-04\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-11-04\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How long is the Strait of Magellan?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"About 570 km. At its narrowest, near Carlos III Island, it is around 2 km wide.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"When did Magellan sail the strait?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"His fleet entered on 1 November 1520 and took 38 days to reach the Pacific.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How long is the Primera Angostura ferry?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"About 20&ndash;25 minutes. Ferries run roughly every 30&ndash;60 minutes and you cannot book ahead.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How long is the ferry from Punta Arenas to Porvenir?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"About 1 hour 50 minutes on the Pathagon. TABSA operates the route; check tabsa.cl for times.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"When do Australis cruises run?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"From September to April, on 3&ndash;4 night voyages between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I cross the Strait of Magellan on a cargo ship?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Not reliably. No regular passenger-freighter service is scheduled through it, so use a ferry or cruise for a guaranteed transit.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"VideoObject\",\n            \"name\": \"Australis 4-Day Expedition Cruise: Patagonia, Cape Horn & Tierra del Fuego\",\n            \"description\": \"A 4-day Australis expedition cruise through Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn and the Strait of Magellan.\",\n            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/J_HcuBbDNv0\\\/hqdefault.jpg\",\n            \"embedUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/J_HcuBbDNv0\",\n            \"uploadDate\": \"2020-03-01\"\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"VideoObject\",\n            \"name\": \"Mighty Cruise Ships: Stella Australis\",\n            \"description\": \"Full episode on the Stella Australis expedition ship sailing Patagonia.\",\n            \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/o6rviYGme9c\\\/hqdefault.jpg\",\n            \"embedUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/o6rviYGme9c\",\n            \"uploadDate\": \"2019-01-01\"\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n<\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Last updated: 4 November 2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>Yes, you can sail the Strait of Magellan in 2026 &mdash; by short car ferry, by a two-hour TABSA ferry from Punta Arenas, on an Australis expedition ship or on a big South America cruise.<\/strong> What you cannot easily do is book a cargo ship through it as a passenger. This guide covers each option, the history, the wildlife and how to plan.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ch-key\"><strong>Quick answer<\/strong><ul>\n<li>The Strait of Magellan is about 570 km long and links the Atlantic and Pacific at the tip of mainland South America.<\/li>\n<li>The fastest crossing is the Primera Angostura ferry: about 20&ndash;25 minutes, no booking needed.<\/li>\n<li>TABSA runs a daily ferry from Punta Arenas to Porvenir on Tierra del Fuego, about two hours each way.<\/li>\n<li>Australis runs 3&ndash;4 night expedition cruises between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, September to April.<\/li>\n<li>There is no regular passenger-freighter service scheduled through the strait.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<h2>What is the Strait of Magellan?<\/h2>\n<p>The strait is a natural channel separating mainland Chile from Tierra del Fuego. It runs about 570 km between the Atlantic and Pacific. At its narrowest, near Carlos III Island west of Cape Froward, it is only about 2 km wide.<\/p>\n<p>Ferdinand Magellan&rsquo;s fleet entered it on 1 November 1520, All Saints&rsquo; Day. The passage took 38 days. Until the Panama Canal opened in 1914, it was the main steamship route between the two oceans. Punta Arenas, founded in 1848, grew rich as a coaling and supply port.<\/p>\n<p>It is still a working seaway. In 2008, 571 Chilean and 1,681 foreign ships transited it. Pilotage is compulsory under Chilean rules, with limited exceptions for local traffic.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/strait-of-magellan-ways-infographic-cargoholidays-1.jpg\" alt=\"Four ways to travel the Strait of Magellan by ship\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Four ways to travel the Strait of Magellan by ship\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Ferry, expedition ship or ocean cruise: the main ways to sail the strait.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Ferries across the strait<\/h2>\n<p>Ferries are the cheapest way to feel the strait under your feet. Both main routes are run by Transbordadora Austral Broom (TABSA).<\/p>\n<h3>Primera Angostura: Punta Delgada to Bah&iacute;a Azul<\/h3>\n<p>Primera Angostura is the &ldquo;First Narrows&rdquo;, near the Atlantic end. It is where Tierra del Fuego comes closest to the mainland. Punta Delgada is about 170 km north-east of Punta Arenas by road. Ferries cross in about 20&ndash;25 minutes and run roughly every 30&ndash;60 minutes. You cannot book; it is first come, first served. Pay at the booth and carry cash. This is the standard route for drivers heading to Ushuaia.<\/p>\n<h3>Punta Arenas to Porvenir<\/h3>\n<p>From Tres Puentes terminal in Punta Arenas, TABSA sails to Bah&iacute;a Chilota near Porvenir. The ferry Pathagon (380 passengers, 120 vehicles) cut the crossing to about 1 hour 50 minutes. The smaller Melinka has also served the route. Book vehicles ahead in summer. Check current times on tabsa.cl.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Ruta<\/th><th>Crossing time<\/th><th>Booking<\/th><th>Ideal para<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody>\n<tr><td>Punta Delgada &ndash; Bah&iacute;a Azul<\/td><td>About 20&ndash;25 min<\/td><td>Not needed<\/td><td>Drivers to Ushuaia<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Punta Arenas &ndash; Porvenir<\/td><td>About 1 h 50 min<\/td><td>Advised for cars<\/td><td>Day trip on the water<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Punta Arenas &ndash; Puerto Williams<\/td><td>Unas 30 horas<\/td><td>Essential<\/td><td>Slow voyage south (weekly, Yaghan)<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<p>The weekly Yaghan to Puerto Williams leaves the strait to thread the fjords south to Navarino Island. It is a working ro-ro ferry, not a cruise.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_338153212-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Ship sailing through Patagonian waters\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Ship sailing through Patagonian waters\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Patagonian channels: weather changes fast, so dress for wind and rain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Watch: a 4-day Australis voyage to the strait<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ch-video\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/J_HcuBbDNv0\" title=\"Australis 4-day expedition cruise: Patagonia, Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego\" loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<h2>Australis expedition cruises<\/h2>\n<p>Australis is the classic way to cruise the strait and the fjords of Tierra del Fuego. Its two ships, Stella Australis and Ventus Australis, each carry about 210 guests. All cabins are outside with large windows. Voyages run between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, in either direction, from September to April.<\/p>\n<p>Programmes last 3 or 4 nights. Landings use Zodiacs. Highlights include Cape Horn (weather permitting), Wulaia Bay, P&iacute;a Glacier and the &Aacute;guila Glacier lagoon. Meals and an open bar are included. Indicative fares start at around USD 2,265 per person; prices rise on higher decks.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/strait-of-magellan-australis-steps-infographic-cargoholidays-1.jpg\" alt=\"Sample Australis expedition route through Tierra del Fuego\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Sample Australis expedition route through Tierra del Fuego\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">A typical 4-night Australis voyage from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Wildlife: Magdalena Island penguins<\/h2>\n<p>Magdalena Island lies in the strait, west of Primera Angostura. It is part of the Los Ping&uuml;inos Natural Monument. Its colony of Magellanic penguins numbers about 120,000 birds. Australis lands here on the final morning. In September and April, it swaps to Marta Island to see sea lions instead. Day boats also run from Punta Arenas in season. Watch for dolphins, cormorants and albatrosses in the channels.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_337859281-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Cruise ship in southern South America\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Cruise ship in southern South America\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Many South America cruises call at Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Watch: life aboard the Stella Australis<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ch-video\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/o6rviYGme9c\" title=\"Mighty Cruise Ships: Stella Australis\" loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<h2>Big-ship South America cruises<\/h2>\n<p>Large ships sail between Buenos Aires and Chile in the austral summer, often calling at Punta Arenas. Some transit the Strait of Magellan. Others go round Cape Horn and through the Beagle Channel instead. Carnival lists Carnival Firenze among ships sailing the strait. Always check the route map before you book if the strait matters to you.<\/p>\n<h2>Can you cross it on a cargo ship?<\/h2>\n<p>Be realistic. Many cargo ships use the strait, but no regular passenger-freighter service is scheduled through it. Most freighter voyages to South America serve east coast ports such as Buenos Aires and Montevideo. A berth via the strait may come up on an occasional coastal routing, but it cannot be guaranteed. For a sure transit, pair a freighter to Buenos Aires with a ferry or Australis voyage.<\/p>\n<h2>Weather and best season<\/h2>\n<p>The strait is windy, cold and often foggy. Sudden katabatic gusts called williwaws hit without warning. Tides are huge on the Atlantic side: mean range about 7.1 m and spring range about 9 m. On the Pacific side, the range is only about 1.1&ndash;1.2 m.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Months<\/th><th>Conditions<\/th><th>What runs<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody>\n<tr><td>September&ndash;October<\/td><td>Cool, long days arriving<\/td><td>Australis starts; Marta Island in September<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>November&ndash;February<\/td><td>Warmest, busiest, windiest<\/td><td>All ferries, Australis, big ships, penguins<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>March&ndash;April<\/td><td>Autumn colours, fewer crowds<\/td><td>Australis to April; Marta Island in April<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>May&ndash;August<\/td><td>Cold, short days<\/td><td>Ferries only; no expedition cruises<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<h2>Consejos<\/h2><ol>\n<li>Book Australis early for December to February sailings.<\/li>\n<li>Carry Chilean pesos for the Primera Angostura ferry.<\/li>\n<li>Allow spare time; wind can delay or cancel crossings.<\/li>\n<li>Pack waterproofs and warm layers, even in summer.<\/li>\n<li>Check whether a big-ship cruise sails the strait or only Cape Horn.<\/li>\n<li>Bring your passport if continuing to Argentina via Tierra del Fuego.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Preguntas frecuentes<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>How long is the Strait of Magellan?<\/h3><p>About 570 km. At its narrowest, near Carlos III Island, it is around 2 km wide.<\/p><h3>When did Magellan sail the strait?<\/h3><p>His fleet entered on 1 November 1520 and took 38 days to reach the Pacific.<\/p><h3>How long is the Primera Angostura ferry?<\/h3><p>About 20&ndash;25 minutes. Ferries run roughly every 30&ndash;60 minutes and you cannot book ahead.<\/p><h3>How long is the ferry from Punta Arenas to Porvenir?<\/h3><p>About 1 hour 50 minutes on the Pathagon. TABSA operates the route; check tabsa.cl for times.<\/p><h3>When do Australis cruises run?<\/h3><p>From September to April, on 3&ndash;4 night voyages between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia.<\/p><h3>Can I cross the Strait of Magellan on a cargo ship?<\/h3><p>Not reliably. No regular passenger-freighter service is scheduled through it, so use a ferry or cruise for a guaranteed transit.<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"ch-related\"><strong>Gu\u00edas relacionadas<\/strong><ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/cape-horn-by-ship\/\">Cape Horn by ship<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/antarctica-by-ship\/\">Antarctica by ship<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/falkland-islands-by-sea\/\">The Falkland Islands by sea<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/freighter-travel-from-buenos-aires\/\">Freighter travel from Buenos Aires<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Plan a South American sea voyage<\/strong><p>Tell us your dates and we will look for freighter routes that connect with the strait.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/solicitar-un-crucero-de-carga\/\">Solicita un presupuesto para tu viaje \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<p class=\"ch-sources\"><em>Sources: Wikipedia (Strait of Magellan; Transbordadora Austral Broom), MundoMar&iacute;timo, Patagonline (Australis), CruiseBe, Carnival, Rexby. Prices indicative. Checked November 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-key{background:#fff7e8;border-left:5px solid #f5a623;border-radius:10px;padding:1em 1.3em;margin:1.4em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-key strong{color:#0b2545;font-size:1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-key ul{margin:.5em 0 0 1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-video{position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;border-radius:12px;margin:1em 0 1.8em;background:#0b2545}\n.ch-post .ch-video iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-related{border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1.5em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-related strong{color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post .ch-sources{font-size:.85em}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ferries, Australis expedition cruises and big ships: every way to sail the Strait of Magellan in 2026, with history, wildlife and tips.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":100652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[356,357],"tags":[2033,1998,1997,2032,2030,2034],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100663"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100663"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100663\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100666,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100663\/revisions\/100666"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100663"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=100663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}