Alternatives to Australis cruises

Cape Horn Flyover

Experience dramatic views of Cape Horn on an exciting flight over the island, as well as taking in the landscape and history of the surrounding areas on a choice of excursions by boat, foot, horse, or bike. A complete experience of the wildlife, culture, landscape and history without having to go to sea.

Cape Horn Kayaking

The expedition starts in Ushuaia and is fully supported by a sailboat. With your highly experienced guide, you'll kayak across the Beagle Channel, visit Puerto Williams, and continue to Puerto Toro, Picton Pass, and Caleta Martial. This cove is the last sheltered spot before the Cape and here you'll wait for the right conditions to paddle down to, and around the Cape. Your return to Ushuaia is aboard the sailboat.

Cape Horn Sailing

There are two options for sailing around the horn. The first, seven day adventure is on a 40ft Ketch with only four crew. Battle the seas down from Ushuaia to Cape Horn, taking in the varied landscape of Tierra del Fuego along the way and sailing in the wake of historic voyages dating back to Drake and the aboriginal Yamana people. The second option is a two week voyage, not just at sea, but on land as well, as you wind around Cape Horn and Isla Navarino, then track alongside the Cordillera Darwin, anchoring and exploring the landscape at spots completely free of human footprints.

Glacier Cruise Alternative

For the glacier enthusiast, the Glaciers of Patagonia Adventure Cruise is the number one choice - you’ll visit 14 different glaciers, including Amalia and El Brujo, the biggest and most impressive. It is a slightly more ‘Chilean’ experience than Australis, but a very comfortable vessel, with excellent service and food, and is kinder on the budget too. The trip departs every Tuesday and Friday for 3 nights from / to Puerto Natales, combining perfectly with a trip to Torres del Paine National Park (which is also accessed from Puerto Natales).

If you fancy a glacier fix on the Argentina side of the border, from the comfort of a luxurious vessel this Spirit of Glaciers cruise might be for you. You spend 2 nights sailing on Lago Argentino, visiting the iceberg barrier and each of the Mayo, Upsala, Spegazzini and of course, Perito Moreno glaciers. You could even combine some glacier spotting in this area with some time at a traditional estancia for some hiking, 4x4 excursions, fishing, horse riding and sailing.

Glaciers on Foot

Alternatively, if you fancy exploring on foot rather than on water, there are a number of trekking options, for example the Grey glacier in Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno and Viedma glaciers in Los Glaciares, and many more. 

More Information on Patagonia's glaciers.

Northern Patagonia fjords cruise

A great alternative to an Australis cruise if penguins, glaciers and wildlife are your thing, but you’re OK missing out Cape Horn, and don’t mind a slightly less polished, more ‘Chilean’ feel to your experience. You’ll visit a Magellanic penguin colony at Conejos Islet, Chiloe, as well as visiting the spectacular San Rafael Glacier, bathing in hot springs, and soaking up the local culture.

More information: Northern Patagonia Fjords Cruise

Isla Magdalena day trip (Magellanic penguins)

Isla Magdalena can be visited as a day trip from Punta Arenas. It is a protected site and home to over 150,000 Magellanic penguins and an array of other sea birds. We can set up a day trip on request, for groups of 1-8 people. You will have a private naturalist guide who will provide in depth information on the natural and cultural history of the area, and the penguin colony itself. You will be collected from you hotel at 06:45, departing the dock at 07:30, and arriving at the island at 08:30. You have one hour to explore the trail to the centre of the island, surrounded by Magellanic penguins busy coming ashore, taking baths, preening and resting at the coastline, or waddling to and from their burrows tending their chicks. At 09:30 you depart for nearby Marta Island where you visit a colony of South American sea lions before heading back to Punta Arenas for 11:45am. Prices start from $150 USD per person.

Useless Bay day trip (king penguins)

Useless Bay is home to a very special colony of penguins - the only king penguin colony to be found outside of the Antarctic, established in the past 10 years, and currently at 100 individuals with 20 gorgeous fluffy chicks. You also see a variety of seabirds, mammals, dolphins and sea lions on this trip, which can be run as a one day trip by plane or a 2 day trip by ferry from Punta Arenas. Prices from $298 USD per person.

More information: King Penguins of Tierra del Fuego

Martillo Island Day Trip (Magellanic & gentoo penguins)

If you’re looking for penguins to visit from Ushuaia, Martillo Island is your best bet. You can do this as a day trip, by minibus to Estancia Harberton from where you sail for 15 minutes to Martillo Island. You can walk for about an hour on the island with Magellanic and gentoo penguins, as well as a variety of other sea birds. This excursion can also be combined with canoeing.

More information: Martillo Island Penguin Walk

Whale watching

The most notable to be seen by boat are whales, and we have dedicated humpback whale watching trips of one day and three days in duration, both of which start and end in Punta Arenas between December and April.

General wildlife spotting & photography

For a wildlife focussed cruise, we would recommend this Chiloe Discovery Cruise in the northern fjords around Chiloe and Aysen, and this Tierra del Fuego Photography Cruise in the south.

Land based wildlife spotting

The most popular land based animal that people seek out in Patagonia is the elusive Andean puma. Most puma tracking takes place in Torres del Paine National Park, and this excellent trip, the Pumas of Torres del Paine run by our top wildlife experts in Patagonia, could be for you. Alternatively, why not combine pumas, penguins and whales into one incredible wildlife adventure by land and sea?!