Chile Travel Destinations – Punta Arenas and penguins are highlights of this southernmost region of Patagonia. Also, known as the “Gateway to Antarctica,” this unique area is a spectacular way to connect with nature and wildlife. As an Acupuncturist-at -Sea, I visited this exciting port-of-call and enjoyed especially seeing the nearby Magellan Penguins on Otway Sound. So, read on to learn about my day and what to do in this region.
Chile Travel Destinations
Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese Explorer, first sailed and discovered the Strait of Magellan and the region in 1519. Thus, both the Strait and the famous Magellan Penguins named after him. Located in the southernmost region of South America’s Patagonia, Punta Arenas is also the capital city on the Brunswick Peninsula. Moreover, it’s even considered the world’s most Austral or Southern city. However, Argentina claims this title for the nearby Ushuaia. Both the Strait of Magellan and Otway (Seno) Sound border the peninsula.
Beagle Channel’s Glacier Alley of the Chilean Fjords is absolutely stunning to see on a cruise. This famous channel is home to 5 magnificent tidewater glaciers ebbing from the Darwin Ice Field. I cruised through this channel on Holland America Cruise Line, getting photos of the glaciers and even a rainbow. So, read on to learn about these incredible fjords with photos to tell the story.
Historic Beagle Channel’s Glacier Alley
Beagle Channel is a 150 milelong (240 km) strait in the Tierra de Fuego archipelago in the southern tip of South America. Also, Glacier Alley is a short stretch of Beagle Channel, that showcases 5 tidewater glaciers, named after European countries.
These massive blue glaciers inch down the Darwin Mountains from the Southern Patagonia’s Darwin Icefield. Furthermore, the Darwin Icefield covers 2,500 sq km of Isla Grande, the largest island in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.
The channel is named after its voyage, made by the HMS Beagle, with the Naturalist, Charles Darwin on his way to the Galapagos Islands:
As we proceeded along the Beagle Channel, the scenery assumed a peculiar and very magnificent character…The mountains were here about 3,000 feet high and terminated in sharp and jagged points. They rose in one unbroken sweep from the water’s edge and were covered to the height of fourteen or fifteen hundred feet by the dusky-coloured forest. – Charles Darwin
Read more about Darwin’s journey in South America’s Galapagos Islands. This inspired his famous lifeworks: On the Origin of Species and Natural Selection theory.
Related: Epic 9-Day Galapagos Island Hopping Tour – San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela & Santa Cruz
My Beagle Channel’s Glacier Alley Cruise
Awestruck from the deck, I observed the massive, blue glaciers. This experience was special for me because it was my first time seeing a blue glacier. Because blue is my favorite color, I was elated to see such grandeur and artwork from Mother Nature. Later, I experienced the blue glaciers of Glacier Bay in Alaska.
Related: Cruising the Majestic Glacier Bay in Alaska
Overall, I took stunning photos of 3/5 of the European-named Glaciers: Italia, Espana and Alemania. However, I missed photos on Holanda and Francia.
Finally, a rainbow ending a magnificent day, expressing the full spectrum of colors as if to say farewell…
Enjoy Beagle Channel’s Glacier Alley!
There is so much natural wonder at Beagle Channel’s Glacier Alley. Even if you only have a short cruise, the glaciers are close enough to see all this majestic beauty. Leave comments below if your travels take you to Beagle Channel. Let us know any tips or ideas on how best to experience this amazing place!
Read Next!
Patagonia’s Stunning Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego National Park
Antarctica Cruise in Paradise Bay of Northwest Peninsula Seeing “Lady in White”