How to get to Puerto Williams and what to do in Isla Navarino.

What are the different ways to get to Puerto Williams?

You can reach Puerto Williams only by air or sea. It has two entry points: Punta Arenas (Chile) or Ushuaia (Argentina). From Punta Arenas you can fly in just over an hour or sail about 32 hours by ferry. From Ushuaia you cross the Beagle Channel by speedboat to Puerto Navarino and complete the journey by land.

Puerto Williams sits on the northern coast of Navarino Island, facing the Beagle Channel and Argentine Tierra del Fuego. Each route has its own pace, and we'll help you choose yours.

How do you get to Puerto Williams from Santiago?

First you fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas and from there you choose between plane or ferry. LATAM, Sky Airlines and JetSMART usually operate the Santiago (SCL) – Punta Arenas (PUQ) route. During the flight you'll see the landscape change: the central valleys fade behind and the wind and steppe begin. Punta Arenas, on the shores of the Strait of Magellan, is the starting point for the final leg.

How long does the flight from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams take?

It's the fastest option: just over an hour, depending on the aircraft and conditions. It's operated by Aerovías DAP, a regional airline connecting Patagonia since 1980. There are regular flights, but schedules and frequencies change by season. Seats are limited (the aircraft operating are small), so book in advance and check the official schedule before finalizing the rest of your trip. Keep in mind that weather calls the shots: a flight can be delayed or cancelled, so it's wise to build a day's buffer into your plans.

A tip? Ask for a window seat: you'll fly over the Strait of Magellan, the Darwin Cordillera with its glaciers and, finally, the Beagle Channel, with Ushuaia to the north and Navarino's mountains to the south. A paradise from a bird's eye view.

Plane at Guardiamarina Zañartu Aerodrome in Puerto Williams | Photo: Janitoalevic

How long does the ferry from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams take?

The ferry departing from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams takes approximately 32 hours. It's operated by TABSA with the Kawéskar ferry, which according to the company has capacity for 175 passengers and offers semi-bed and bed seating, dining room, hot showers, internet and a children's room. Departures are weekly and vary by month, so it's worth checking schedules.

With this option, the key is not to watch the clock. You rest, eat, head out on deck and watch channels, fjords and mountains pass by. Depending on the itinerary and conditions, you may see the Italia and Alemania glaciers. It's the same sea that Darwin and FitzRoy sailed aboard the HMS Beagle in the 1830s. You'll feel like an explorer at the ends of the Earth too.

Can you reach Puerto Williams from Ushuaia?

Yes: you cross the Beagle Channel by speedboat to Puerto Navarino and from there a bus or minibus takes you to Puerto Williams. It's the ideal route if you're coming via Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.

• Speedboat: about 25 to 45 minutes to Puerto Navarino, depending on the operator and weather.
• Land transfer: about 55 kilometers along the northern coast of the island, between 1 and 1.5 hours.
• Procedures: the crossing is international. You complete exit procedures in Ushuaia and entry to Chile along the way, so bring your passport or necessary documents and allow extra time for controls. Some operators charge port fees separately (around 10 USD per person).
• Season: regular services operate seasonally, roughly between October and March, with dates varying.
• It's not a day trip: operators recommend spending at least one night before returning.

There are also small plane flights connecting the Ushuaia area with Puerto Williams, depending on service availability. These include, among others, the Aeroclub de Ushuaia and Jet Ushuaia. If you're tempted to see the Beagle from the air, check with them for dates.

How to cross the Beagle Channel and reach Puerto Williams. | Map courtesy of Errante Ecolodge

Which route to Puerto Williams works best for me?

It depends on where you're starting from and how much time you have: it's about choosing between getting there fast or making the journey part of the experience.

If you ask us what we'd do with plenty of time, we'd say arrive by ferry and leave by plane: you get the sea on the way there and the sky on the way back.

What to do in Puerto Williams and Navarino Island?

The essentials are hiking, sailing and learning about Yaghan culture. Puerto Williams is a small city, with mountains around it, the southern forest almost touching the houses and the Beagle Channel in front. These are the experiences we love most:

• Dientes de Navarino Trekking. It's the big one: a challenging circuit, considered the most southerly in the world. Our 5-Day Dientes de Navarino Circuit is group-guided, with tent accommodation and meals included, between December and March. It passes through Paso Australia (797 m) and Paso de los Dientes (765 m), where, with good weather, you can see the Wollaston Islands and even Cape Horn.
• Cerro Bandera Trekking. If you don't have five days, this half-day outing offers views of the city, the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego. It's our favorite to start with: Cerro Bandera Trekking.
• Kayaking in the Beagle Channel. Paddle among coastal wildlife, with Yaghan remnants and Puerto Williams in the background: Kayaking in Beagle Channel.
• City tour through Yaghan culture. Includes the Martín Gusinde Anthropological Museum, Villa Ukika, the Omora Ethnobotanical Park (the "hummingbird park", with its miniature forests) and Caleta Mejillones: City Tour in Puerto Williams.
• Bike tour. Explore remnants of the Beagle conflict up to Los Bronces waterfall: Bike Tour.
• An evening at the Micalvi Yacht Club. A former cargo ship turned bar and gathering spot for sailors. Have a drink and listen to the mariners' stories.

When to go and how many days do I need?

The best time is between November and March, the austral summer. During those months most tours and the crossing from Ushuaia operate. To see the town and do one or two excursions, we recommend at least 3 nights. If you add Dientes de Navarino, plan for 5 days of trekking plus one or two days of buffer for weather.

What tips should I keep in mind before traveling?

• Build flexibility into your schedule. Flights and ferries depend on weather; don't book an international connection for the next day.
• Book in advance. Flight and ferry seats are limited and departures vary by season.
• Bring layered clothing and a waterproof jacket. Wind and weather changes are part of the landscape.
• Check your documents. If crossing from Ushuaia, bring what you need to enter Chile.
• If you're trekking, register. It's mandatory to record your start and end with Chile's Carabineros for safety.
• Confirm official schedules. DAP and TABSA times can change; best to verify them before booking the rest.

The eternal debate: Is Puerto Williams the world's southernmost city?

It depends on your definition of city. Puerto Williams is further south than Ushuaia, but Ushuaia is much larger. For decades, Puerto Williams was considered a town; in 2019 Chile's National Institute of Statistics (INE) expanded its definition to include localities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants that are provincial capitals, and Puerto Williams, capital of the Chilean Antarctic Province, officially became a city (the 2017 Census recorded 1,868 inhabitants). It was a statistical change, not a Congressional law.

There is no international consensus on what constitutes a city, so perhaps it's best not to settle the debate. Both are exceptional gateways to Tierra del Fuego.