Puerto Williams, Patagonia, Chile

It is the southern-most populated village on Earth (prior to reaching Antarctica), located on the northern coast of “Isla Navarino” (Navarino Island) about 50km east from Ushuaia on the opposite side of the Beagle Channel. Founded in 1953 it has a population of around 2,000 people and is a highly important Chilean Naval base.

Puerto Williams, meaning Williams Port, was named after an Irish Captain called John Williams. The village comprises a number of simple, private houses, a plaza, an airport for air connection to Punta Arenas, a small yacht marina and houses for naval personnel.

Navarino Island is an untouched, remote island in the southern tip of South America. Beyond its southern shores is the famous Cape Horn, for which in summer months there are private yachts that offer charter trips to the area (note that these trips can take several days and in rough weather).

The island stands out for its biological diversity and untouched landscapes, as well as retaining a great treasure: the presence of the ancestral, ethnic Yagán people - one of the most rudimentary indigenous cultures with regards to its material development, but at the same time one of the most surprising with its oral tradition, and in its ability to survive around glaciers, canals, strong winds and generally difficult environmental conditions.

To explore the island and area around Puerto Williams it is best to come in the Chilean summer months of January and February and book the services of a local guide. Hotel accommodation is basic, except for one hotel outside the city.

Puerto Williams is connected to mainland Chile by air and car ferry from Punta Arenas (350km north) or by zodiac dingy from Ushuaia, via Puerto Navarino (directly opposite Ushuaia).

Puerto Williams, How to Get Here, Transfers and Arrivals

Introduction

Considering that Puerto Williams is on an Island the only way to get to this very small settlement is by boat or plane.

Location

Strategically located, Isla Navarino is 300kms south-east from Punta Arenas, but only 7kms south of Ushuaia crossing Canal Beagle, and 1,000 kms from Antarctica, being the closest, populated place to the white continent.

How to Get to Puerto Williams

Considering Puerto Williams is on a remote island there are only two ways to get here. One is flying in and the other is on a boat.

Zodiac Dinghy

There are trips across the Beagle channel, subject to weather conditions, in a covered zodiac dinghy. Maximum 12 passengers.

The trip takes about 30 minutes and departs from the jetty in Ushuaia across to Puerto Navarino, which is about 50km from Puerto Williams. Therefore, there is a road transfer to get to Puerto Williams and this, allowing for difficult terrain, takes about 1.5hrs.

However, in order to make this journey you need to be very flexible regarding dates and have built in spare days in the event that you cannot cross, and you need to stay extra nights in Ushuaia.

Places of Interest, Puerto Williams, Patagonia

Description

The “Dientes de Navarino” (means the Teeth of Navarino) is the name given to a series of jagged “teeth like” mountain peaks on the Navarino Island. This is a southern-most trekking trail in the World. On clear days from the highest part of the trail there are great views of the Beagle Channel and even the Cape Horn Island.

However, it is not for the “light trekker”, no, on this trek you need to be fully equipped for bad weather and any dangerous situation. Therefore, you need to have the right clothing and the right gear and, ideally, a guide.

Along the trail there are areas cleared for camping, in the event that you need to shelter from the elements. The weather can be extreme for long periods.

Description

To get to the Virgin Waterfall you walk from the central plaza along a street called “Lewaia” in a south-west direction until you get to the street called Muñoz. From here the path turns west along the street called “Cabo de Hornos”, whereupon at the end of this street is the “Cascada” street. There will be the Plaza Virgin, then, going in a north westerly direction, towards the airport, there will be a continuation of the street called “Cascada”. If you take this street and walk 3km you will come to the start of the trail for the “Dientes de Navarino” where there is a marker that says “Hito” 1 (76km). Take this trail head to the right and you will come across another marker for the trail to “Cerro La Bandera”.

From the main Puerto Williams Plaza to the trail head will take about 40 mins to 1hr walking.

Then, about 3km up the trail there is a panoramic view over Puerto Williams, the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego Island to the north, and to the south the “Dientes de Navarno” (Teeth of Navarino).

Trek Punta Gusano, Laguna Zañartu & Bahía Róbalo

The start of this trek is on the beach close to the airport, 3.1km west from Puerto Williams.

The trail is on a bank of Puerto Williams bay where there are costal and marine birds. From here there is a view back to Puerto Williams, the Yacht Club “Micalvi” and the “Dientes de Navarino” in the distance.

Laguna Zañartu is located on a peninsula where the immediate landscape is that of pampa and Humedal. The view from here is of a view of the Beagle channel, and in the distance on the other side the city of Ushuaia and the Andes mountains.

Puerto Williams Accommodation

Introduction

Puerto Williams is a very small village. In terms of accommodation there are a handful of bed and breakfast offerings and these vary from the very basic to the acceptable.

However, there are two, one could say “proper hotels” here. One is called Lakutaia and the other is Errante Lodge.

The Lakutaia lodge is located 2km west from the village on the road to the airport. It is a simple hotel, but modern. The 24 bedrooms rooms are spacious, warmly decorated and the hotel offers a restaurant, bar and activities.