The 11 Best Boat Trips in Chile

1.Torres del Paine: 3-Hour Scenic Boat Tour to Grey Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 4 hours · from $120Our pick

Join Turismo Lago Grey for a scenic catamaran ride across Grey Lake to the 25-meter Grey Glacier. Allow extra time for the 3-kilometer beach walk to the boat, bring warm layers and your passport, and enjoy English or Spanish guiding plus one onboard pisco sour.

“I had an awesome experience cruising to the Grey Glacier. The breathtaking blue ice, towering cliffs, and shimmering waters created a surreal panorama. The crisp Patagonian air and sheer majesty of nature made it unforgettable—perfectly complemented by the organisers’ flawless planning, warm hospitality, and professional guidance.”

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2.Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 107 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $160

Meet at 6:30 am in Punta Arenas for a minivan transfer and boat ride across the Strait of Magellan. Walk a marked trail among Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, visit its lighthouse, and look for sea lions near Isla Marta. Guides such as Rodrigo and Sebastian add useful wildlife context.

“This is a must if visiting Punta Arenas. We found everything well organized and clear. Our drivers and guides were excellent and we found the pace and amount of time for each stop was appropriate. The scenery is amazing - we had great weather - and the penguins are super cute and entertaining.”

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3.Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour and traditional lunch.

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 95 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $256

Start at 7 a.m. in central Puerto Natales, ride to Puerto Bories, then cruise the Ultima Esperanza Fjord toward Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Expect wildlife, waterfalls, a forest walk, glacier views, whiskey with ancient ice, and a traditional estancia lunch with lamb, chicken, or a vegetarian choice.

“The local tour organization contacted us only 20 minutes before the tour started - should do that at least the night before. Boat crew did a very good job navigating through difficult waters and the information provided was sufficient. Lunch was nice and the walk to the glacier was good organized.”

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4.Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 62 reviews · 5 hours · from $160

From Punta Arenas, you’ll ride a bus and catamaran to Magdalena Island, home to more than 60,000 Magellanic penguin pairs in summer. Walk for about an hour, visit the lighthouse interpretation center, and return with tea or coffee. English and Spanish guides are available.

“Seeing the wildlife was definitely the highlight! I felt the ticket venue and the checking in process could be improved. The tiny area where people were waiting in to check in, was sooo crowded and overflowing that when it was announced that people could begin the check in process, it was chaotic. I’m sure the overflow of people outside didn’t even realize the check in had started. The wait time for loading was long and there was no communication about where we were being taken once we were underway. Despite these shortcomings, the excursion was well worth doing! We thoroughly enjoyed watching the penguins!!”

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5.Private Cruise Transfer : Santiago → Valparaiso or San Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.)

Arrange a private, air-conditioned ride from your Santiago hotel or airport-area lodging to the Valparaiso or San Antonio cruise port. Drivers such as Luis, Mauricio, Mario, and Roberto have provided punctual, comfortable transfers, with space chosen for your party and luggage.

“Very nice and comfortable ride from Santiago to the cruise port in San Antonio. Nice newer car and very comfortable.”

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6.Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Sightseeing Cruise from Puerto Natales

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 48 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $271

Spend about 10 hours cruising from Puerto Natales through Ultima Esperanza Fjord to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. A guide leads a moderate forest walk in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Your ticket includes lunch, drinks, park entry, and return transport to the meeting point, but not hotel pickup.

“This was a wonderful experience, cruising in comfort with opportunities to admire elephant seals sunning themselves on rock ledges, a colony of cormorants, and of course spectacular waterfalls and stunning glaciers. A walk through beautiful forest to the Serrano Glacier was the highlight, followed by a delicious three course meal at Estancia Perales. The crew were helpful and professional and friendly, and we thoroughly enjoyed the day from beginning to end.”

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7.Puerto Tranquilo: Marble Caves Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 32 reviews · 1h 30m · from $27Best value

Meet at Puerto Tranquilo’s quay for a 90-minute boat trip across Lake General Carrera. An English or Spanish guide explains the marble formations and the lake. Expect striking cave shapes, possible waves, and blue reflections that depend on sunshine.

“excelente actividad desarrollada por el operador turístico, siempre muy atentos a desarrollar todo de buena forma.”

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8.Puerto Tranquilo: Capillas de Mármol + Cathedral Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · 1h 30m · from $52

From Puerto Tranquilo, you’ll board a guided boat to see the Marble Chapels, Marble Cathedral, and water-carved caves on General Carrera Lake. The Spanish or English-speaking guide explains the formations while you photograph them from the water. Warm clothing, sun protection, and comfortable shoes are wise.

“Great 👍🏼 Guide was informative of the tour sites he had a great sense of humor”

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9.Torres del Paine & Grey Glacier Full-Day Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · 18 hours · from $294

Travel from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine, sail across Grey Lake toward Grey Glacier, and stop at Pehoé, Nordenskjöld, Sarmiento, and Laguna Amarga. A small group of up to 10 joins an English or Spanish-speaking guide, with a pisco sour included on the catamaran.

“Mesmo com condições climáticas pouco favoráveis, o passeio foi incrível! Barco novo e com toda sua equipe animada e gentil. A experiência foi extraordinária! Paisagem maravilhosa com infinitos tons de azul. A natureza em sua beleza plena. Outro ponto alto foi nosso guia Roberto, que nos levou de Punta Arenas até o Parque. Além de super cuidadoso na direção, Roberto conhece a flora e a fauna local e foi generoso ao compartilhar conosco seu conhecimento. Um profissional acima da média. Recomendo muito o passeio.”

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10.Austral Dolphin & Wildlife Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours · from $190Top rated

Travel 27 km south of Punta Arenas for a small-group Zodiac cruise in Bahía Agua Fresca. A bilingual guide helps you spot austral dolphins, birds, and possibly penguins or whales, with hotel pickup, warm snacks, and safety gear included.

“Die beste Tour die man in Punta Arenas machen kann. Absolut individuell, Delphine direkt am Boot. Toller Capitan, super organisiert. Ein absolut traumhaftes Erlebnis. Egal wie, das ist euer Ausflug.”

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11.Chañaral de Aceituno boat ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Meet the boat guide at 9:00 a.m. in Caleta Chañaral de Aceituno, put on a life jacket, and cruise around Chañaral Island for about 90 minutes. The reserve is known for sightings of humpback and fin whales, bottlenose dolphins, penguins, and sea lions. Bring warm clothes, drinks, and a camera.

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