Punta Arenas
Patagonia explorers wanting Southern Lights alongside Torres del Paine and penguin colonies
Punta Arenas is Chile's gateway to Patagonia and Antarctica, a windswept city on the Strait of Magellan with a fascinating frontier heritage. The historic city centre reflects its 19th-century role as a major port for ships navigating Cape Horn before the Panama Canal opened. Today it serves as an alternative Antarctic cruise departure point to Ushuaia, with some operators preferring the Chilean port for specific expedition routes. The Magellanic penguin colonies at Otway Sound (October to March) and Seno Otway are easily accessible, and Torres del Paine National Park — one of Patagonia's crown jewels — is a 4-5 hour drive. For Southern Lights viewing, June and July offer the best combination of long dark nights and geomagnetic activity at this latitude.