Australis Cruises

Wildlife, Glaciers & Cape Horn Cruise

Voyage south from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia on a small-ship expedition cruise and experience the incredible wildlife, fascinating history and breathtaking scenery of Tierra del Fuego. Sail the famous Strait of Magellan and Glacier Alley in the Beagle Channel. On…

  • 5 Days
  • $3,165
Cape Horn & Glaciers Cruise

Voyage north from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas on a small-ship expedition cruise and experience the incredible wildlife, fascinating history and breathtaking scenery of Tierra del Fuego. Step foot on Cape Horn, visit historic Wulaia Bay and walk amongst thousands of…

  • 5 Days
  • $3,095

5 things to consider...

  1. Vessel - Australis cruises sail aboard two different vessels: Stella Australis and Ventus Australis. Each is identical, but Ventus is newer and only came into service in Jan 2018. Both are very comfortable vessels with around 200 person capacity, excellent food and service.
  2. Route - Choice of a one way trip between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas (four nights), or a round trip of eight nights. A great way to cross the border and connect Torres del Paine with Tierra del Fuego.
  3. Excursions - Australis offer a great combination of glaciers, wildlife and Cape Horn on most of their trips, with land excursions via zodiac boat and the option to take challenging or relaxed hikes.
  4. Timing - These cruises start operating in late September with the last departure in early April. Weather is good throughout this period, but bear in mind that the penguins will not be visited in September and April.
  5. Cost - prices start from USD $2,265 per person for the cheapest cabin type on a four-night trip in low season, up to around USD $7,000 for the biggest and best cabin types on eight night trips in high season.
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Swoop says

These cruises are ideal for people looking for varied excursions combined with excellent comfort and service aboard a small vessel that can access and remote channels of the Patagonian Fjords.

Tierra del Fuego Cruises

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What Our Customers Think of Australis Cruises

An outstanding experience. The boat was luxurious. The food delicious. All the staff - superb. The expeditions very day were wonderful. We had fun with the other people on our table and enjoyed meeting other guests. The lectures and other onboard activities were interesting. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2023

Jacqueline Heywood - UK

All of the cruise was memorable, particularly the storm around Cape Horn with 100mph+ winds and 6 meter waves. The glaciers and scenery, were truly spectacular. It was good to be in a relatively small group of people. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Joy Soar - UK

Interesting and active cruise in an area with exotic and vulnerable nature. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Petter Finn Holland - Norway

It was an excellent cruise and programming in every respect really. Read the full review

Travelled: January 2023

Kathy Hudson - USA

Unique, unique, unique. We were super lucky to have great weather the entire cruise. We never missed a stop and even did some 'extra' cruising because the weather was so calm. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2022

Kathryn Lowell - USA

The relaxed atmosphere, the scenery and the helpfulness of the crew. I had a bad knee for the whole of the holiday (really bad) but they were so helpful and insisted I got off the boat for each trip and then provided me with a personal guide who then helped me walk as much as I was able so as not to miss out. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2022

Peter Williams - UK

Being at the top of Cape Horn was emotional. I had no idea that it would have been so wonderful. However, the entire trip made a most memorable moment in my life. Read the full review

Travelled: October 2022

Cindy Joyce - USA

Seeing the glaciers up front was an awesome experience, and we were incredibly lucky too with the weather for the Cape Horn excursion. To stand by the Albatross sculpture with a fabulous view of the 'end of the world' is an unforgettable experience! Read the full review

Travelled: October 2022

Ralph Turkel - USA

The ship was clean and super comfortable! The staff were fun and engaged. The fjords were amazing. We had some tricky, although to be expected, Patagonia weather and the staff and crew were careful to make decisions that considered first and foremost the safety of the guests on the ship. Read the full review

Travelled: October 2022

Gail Pontius - USA

I have traveled to Patagonia many times many years ago and this cruise was something new. Ship and cabins nice, crew magnificent, food excellent, reasonable price. Read the full review

Travelled: September 2022

Mark Bryant - USA

The Australis is well-run and enjoyable. There was no one highlight – Cape Horn, the fiords, the penguins, and so on. The wild and beautiful mountains and glaciers were amazing to see. Read the full review

Travelled: March 2019

Barry Fields - United States Of America

Everything was a highlight: walking around Cape Horn, seeing the glaciers up close, going on hikes, seeing the penguins, the guides' knowledge and ability to explain things well, the food, the organization on the ship, the staff. The zodiac excursions were great and they did a good job of getting us on and off. All the guides were top-notch. Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Mary Lou Bell - United States Of America

Our highlight was the cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia - landing on Cape Horn was amazing! Read the full review

Travelled: February 2019

Jacky Wu - United States Of America

I was blown away at the thoughtfullness that went into the experience and the level of service and consideration towards the guest. I greatly appreciated the historic/informative talks and movies, and the onship library was a treat. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Stephani Dalbesio - United States Of America

Truly, 100%, the service on board was unlike anything I have ever experienced. Combined with the other guests, it make for truly a once in a lifetime experience. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Stephani Dalbesio - United States Of America

The Cape Horn landing was the highlight for me.....and all those steep stairs which I slowly made it up, despite having bronchitis. We also won the auction at the Captain's dinner for the navigational map of the Cape Horn landing... a thrill. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Diana Wood - United States Of America

Our cruise was really lovely. We learned a lot from the onboard lectures- about glaciology and also the history of the Yamana people. We enjoyed the zodiac excursions, we usually took the “easy” option because it came with more educational time. Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Mindy De Hooge - United States Of America

The boat was very nice. We felt there was no reason to pay extra for the large-window rooms as we spent very little time in the room. They had an open bridge policy so you could knock and go in almost anytime! How cool! Read the full review

Travelled: December 2018

Mindy De Hooge - United States Of America

The wildlife talks and visits were great. The staff were knowledgeable about flora. The food was outstanding. Kudos to the pastry chef! He took great pride in his work and it showed. Read the full review

Travelled: April 2018

Angie Littlefield - Canada

The cruise on Australis was fantastic. Our friends swore up and down that they hated cruises, but Australis won them over, easily.

Travelled: November 2017

Jenny - Oregon, USA

Taking the ship around Cape Horn was incredible. The captain manoeuvred in the area so we could view the area and take in the awesome power of the two oceans meeting. The scenery was breathtaking. Read the full review

Travelled: November 2017

Ed Eargle - United States Of America

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We particularly appreciated Chloe's suggestion to add the Australis cruise - brilliant choice.

Travelled: March 2016

Heinrich -

Our trip was phenomenal, A++. It was the best trip of our lives.

Travelled: November 2015

John & Marilyn -

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I wanted to let you know all four of us had the BEST TRIP imaginable over 6 gorgeous weeks.

Travelled: April 2015

Martin & Heather -

Review:

Tierra del Fuego Cruises

Illustrated Guide
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Iain says

We took a zodiac onto the shore right beneath one of the glaciers. It was the first time I'd ever been so close to one - it was incredible. With a great crash, the glacier calved and we all dashed back up the beach as the wave rushed acrosss the lagoon towards us.

Iain Rylance Patagonia Sales Manager

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