Chilean Fjords (Patagonia)

Chilean Fjords and Patagonia are part of the Tierra del Fuego provinces of Chile and Argentina. Chile's southern coast is famous worldwide for the significant number of fjords and fjord-like channels (widely known as "Patagonian channels" ) from the parallels of Cape Horn (55 degree south, Tierra del Fuego's southernmost headland) to the Reloncaví Estuary Fjord (42 degree south, off Reloncaví Sound). Some of the channels and fjords are major navigable channels that provide access to ports like Puerto Chacabuco, Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.

The route is mostly used by ships desiring to avoid bad weather and heavy seas, so frequently experienced on passing into the Pacific from the western end of Strait of Magellan. The huge full-powered mail steamers gain open sea at Cape Pillar (situated at the west entrance of Strait of Magellan), as that time is this way saved to them. However, ships of less engine power, to which avoiding possible danger is of greatest importance, will find that Patagonian Channels is the best route.

The general features of the channels are abrupt, high shores, with innumerable headlands and peaks, remarkably similar in character. Their bold heads give an appearance of such a gloomy grandeur that is rarely seen elsewhere. Generally, the shores are steep-to and for the most part, the channels are open and free. The few existing dangers are ordinarily marked by kelp. The tides are not strong and regular, except in English Narrows.

Since it is impossible to reach and see all the region through Chile by road, the transport of cargo and persons must be done by road, plane or ship according to the country's public infrastructure provision.

In an attempt to carry significant quantities of vehicles, cargo and people directly onto unimproved shore to supply the coastal region and the islands, the ferry service is the best-suited ship type. Most of them are cargo boats without cruise-type accommodations, though they have managed to boost their customer service. Around 150 larger-sized vessels are sailing in Chile's southern regions.

Cruise ships operate between the main ports of the area navigating at low speed along solitary islands and narrow channels. The most visited by ships glaciers in Chile are Pio Xi, PIO X, Agostini, Piloto and Nena, Jorge Montt, Bujo, Amalia, San Rafael (in the Laguna San Rafael National Park). The ship travel experience also features scenic cruising through majestic fjords and waterways like Peel Fjord, Seno Eyre Fjord, Montanas Fjord, Agostini Fjord, Calvo Fjord, Angostura Inglesa (English Narrows), White Narrows, Wide Channel, Smyth Channel, Moraleda Channel, Cockburn Channel, Darwin Channel, Baker Canal, Canal Sarmiento.

San Rafael Glacier is part of Laguna San Rafael NP (1959-established, sized 17420 km2 / 6730 mi2) named after the San Rafael Lagoon - an arc-shaped coastal lake connected to the north with Moraleda Channel and to the south with the narrow Ofqui Isthmus (linking Taitao Peninsula with the Chilean mainland). The Park includes the Northern Patagonian Ice Field and features a scenic fjord (length 16 km / 10 mi) which is usually sailed by cruise ships.

Chilean Fjords cruise terminal