Last updated: 4 November 2026

Yes, you can sail the Strait of Magellan in 2026 — 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. 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.

What is the Strait of Magellan?

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.

Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet entered it on 1 November 1520, All Saints’ 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.

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.

Ferries across the strait

Ferries are the cheapest way to feel the strait under your feet. Both main routes are run by Transbordadora Austral Broom (TABSA).

Primera Angostura: Punta Delgada to Bahía Azul

Primera Angostura is the “First Narrows”, 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 20–25 minutes and run roughly every 30–60 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.

Punta Arenas to Porvenir

From Tres Puentes terminal in Punta Arenas, TABSA sails to Bahía 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.

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.

Watch: a 4-day Australis voyage to the strait

Australis expedition cruises

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.

Programmes last 3 or 4 nights. Landings use Zodiacs. Highlights include Cape Horn (weather permitting), Wulaia Bay, Pía Glacier and the Águila Glacier lagoon. Meals and an open bar are included. Indicative fares start at around USD 2,265 per person; prices rise on higher decks.

Wildlife: Magdalena Island penguins

Magdalena Island lies in the strait, west of Primera Angostura. It is part of the Los Pingüinos 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.

Watch: life aboard the Stella Australis

Big-ship South America cruises

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.

Can you cross it on a cargo ship?

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.

Weather and best season

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 1.1–1.2 m.

Consigli

1. Book Australis early for December to February sailings.
2. Carry Chilean pesos for the Primera Angostura ferry.
3. Allow spare time; wind can delay or cancel crossings.
4. Pack waterproofs and warm layers, even in summer.
5. Check whether a big-ship cruise sails the strait or only Cape Horn.
6. Bring your passport if continuing to Argentina via Tierra del Fuego.

Domande frequenti

Sources: Wikipedia (Strait of Magellan; Transbordadora Austral Broom), MundoMarítimo, Patagonline (Australis), CruiseBe, Carnival, Rexby. Prices indicative. Checked November 2026.