Ushuaia (Argentina)

Ushuaia is a cruise port (including homeport for cruises to Antarctica from Argentina) and city on Beagle Strait, with population around 60,000. It is also nicknamed "End of the World" for being South America's southernmost city. Ushuaia is also the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province.

Ushuaia and Punta Arenas are the two departure ports for voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula and the British overseas territories Falklands/Malvinas and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Regularly scheduled seasonal programs are operated by Quark Expeditions (polar ship travel company).

The above map shows some of the most visited destinations on Antarctica-based itineraries leaving from Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. Ushuaia is also among the ports of call on voyages that include cruising through the Patagonian channels and Chilean fjords in the Tierra del Fuego provinces of Chile and Argentina.

Cruises to Antarctica are operated mainly with smaller-sized expedition ships and ice-class superyachts. While these voyages depart from Ushuaia, most of the Antarctic cruise package deals are inclusive of international flights to and from Buenos Aires (Argentina's capital city) and also of domestic flights - between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia (as homeport). This also explains the higher prices on these seasonally offered and most unique cruise tours.

Port Ushuaia (locode ARUSH) is also homeport/departure port for most roundtrips to the UK's Falkland Islands and a major port of call included in many voyages in South America. In season 2008-2009, ~95% of the Antarctic cruise ship tourism was concentrated here. Ushuaia's busy cruising season starts in November (or in late October) and ends in March.

During the pre-COVID season 2019-2020, the cruise port handled a total of 450 cruise ship calls. For the post-COVID season 2022-2023 (extended from October thru March), the cruise port had booked 540 ship berthings with estimated ~200K tourists.

In May 2023, to the Tierra del Fuego's governor was presented a proposal for a new cruise terminal. The project (estimated at ~US$36 million) will be funded by federal sources and could be completed in a 3-year period. The new passenger terminal will have max daily capacity ~8000 tourists. The building will house communal and commercial areas, a cultural zone, a VIP lounge, and all standard cruise facilities.

For season 2023-2024 (September 24th through April 13th), the cruise port had scheduled a total of 548 ship calls (booked berthings) with estimated ~195,000 tourists - new records for both calls and visitors. Of all visits, 436 ships were to visit Antarctica, 51 were to circumnavigate South Amaric/traverse both oceans (Atlantic and Pacific), and 58 were regional vessels touring the Tierra del Fuego's channels and fjords.

Ushuaia cruise terminal

Ushuaia tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Tierra del Fuego National Park spreads 63000+ hectares. It starts from the Beagle Channel and goes to the border with Chilli. At the northern border is Fagnano Lake (aka Lago Kami).

Beagle Channel (popular for boat excursions) is named after Charles Darwin's ship HMS Beagle used to explore the region in the 1830s.

Maritime Museum (on Yaganes y Gobernador Paz) houses a great collection of famous ships’ scale models.

Military Prison (on Yaganes y Gobernador Paz) was operational between 1902 and 1947. Currently, it houses cut-outs and mannequins in its cells.

San Juan de Salvamento Lighthouse (on the Isla de los Estados) dates from 1884. It was famous with the name “End of the World Lighthouse” because of Jules Vern’s novel.

End of the World Museum (on Avenida Maipu 173) houses an extensive collection of artifacts. Explore the natural history of the region and the aboriginal life.

Lake Escondido is just 50 km from the cruise port.