Strait of Magellan : Legendary passage between the oceans

Strait of Magellan : Legendary passage between the oceans

by | Aug 4, 2025 | Patagonia, General news, Historical news, Indigenous peoples, Kawesqar, Ocean and sailing news, Selk'nam / Ona, Tehuelche

At the heart of Chilean Patagonia stretches one of the planet’s most emblematic sea passages: the Strait of Magellan. This 570-kilometre natural waterway, separating continental Patagonia from Tierra del Fuego, forms the main bi-oceanic corridor linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Inhabited for millennia by the Selknam, Kawésqar and Tehuelche peoples and discovered more than 500 years ago by Ferdinand Magellan, this strategic passage continues to fascinate thanks to its exceptional history, unique geography and remarkable biodiversity.

History and European discovery: in the footsteps of Magellan

The historic expedition of 1520

October 21, 1520, marks a crucial date in the history of global navigation. On this day, the Spanish expedition led by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan discovered the eastern entrance of the strait that would bear his name. Departing from Seville in September 1519 with five ships and 237 men, Magellan was searching for a passage to the Molucca.

magellan strait of magellan history and chilean fjords by antonio pigafetta
Map of the Strait by Antonio Pigafetta (Ferdinand Magellan expedition, 1520)

The explorer initially named the passage “Estrecho de Todos los Santos” (“Strait of All Saints”) in reference to the religious feast celebrated on the day of its discovery. It was only after his death in the Philippines that Charles V, King of Spain, renamed the strait in honor of its discoverer.

A perilous and revolutionary navigation

Crossing the strait proved particularly difficult for Magellan’s expedition. The sailors faced violent winds, unpredictable currents, and a maze of channels bordered by snow-capped mountains. Antonio Pigafetta, the expedition’s chronicler, described the passage as being “110 leagues long” (about 440 miles) with “very safe harbors, excellent waters, cedar wood

This discovery revolutionized global navigation by providing an alternative to the treacherous Cape Horn passage. Numerous expeditions were conducted to advance hydrographic knowledge to improve navigation safety; among these was the Beauchesne expedition. Before the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, the Strait of Magellan quickly became the main maritime route connecting Europe to the Pacific coasts of the Americas.

beauchesne expedition magellan strait after magellan 1520 discovery
Map of the Strait of Magellan (1699) based on observations from the French Beauchesne expedition

Geography and physical characteristics

Dimensions and configuration

The Strait of Magellan stretches 570 kilometers from Punta Dungeness in the east to the Evangelistas islets in the west. Its width varies greatly: it narrows to just 2 kilometers at its narrowest point near Carlos III Island and can widen to 32

The strait’s depths are remarkable, ranging from a minimum of 28 meters near Magdalena Island to a maximum of 1,080 meters at the Cooper Key lighthouse. This complex geological configuration is the result of millions of years of tectonic and glacial activity that have shaped the Patagonian landscape.

Geological formation

The strait’s origin dates back to the Late Cretaceous, about 80 million years ago. Earth movements created fractures with flat walls, giving rise to the Patagonian channels. During the Pleistocene, 1.5 million years ago, glacial action (glacial geology) deepened and widened these natural passages.

This geological history explains the strait’s unique morphology, characterized by deep fjords, rocky islands, and winding channels forming a true maritime labyrinth.

Climate and navigation conditions

This historic maritime passage poses particularly challenging weather conditions for navigation. The sub-antarctic climate features persistent westerly winds, often called “williwaw” (a Kawésqar word), which can exceed speeds of 100 knots (185km/h).

These winds, descending from coastal mountains (katabatic winds), create violent and unpredictable gusts, making navigation perilous. Temperatures generally range from -5°C to 15°C, with frequent precipitation and visibility often reduced by fog.

Indigenous Peoples: first guardians of the Strait

Long before Ferdinand Magellan discovered this maritime passage in 1520, the strait and its surroundings had been inhabited for over 11,000 years by different indigenous peoples. These first inhabitants developed complex and diverse cultures, perfectly adapted to the extreme conditions of southern Patagonia. Three main ethnic groups coexisted in this region: the Kawésqar, the Tehuelche (Aónikenk), and the Selknam.

Salesian archive photos: a seated Selknam man with his bow, and a Kawésqar woman with her son
Salesian archive photos: a seated Selknam man with his bow, and a Kawésqar woman with her son

These natives peoples had a deep knowledge of the land and were already navigating these difficult waters centuries before the arrival of Europeans. It was, in fact, their campfires, seen by Magellan’s expedition, that gave the name “Tierra del Fuego” (“Land of Fire”).

Before being called the “Strait of Magellan” and as part of indigenous cartography reconstruction activities by the Karukinka association, one Selknam transcription for this passage between the continent and Tierra del Fuego is Hatitelen.

The Kawésqar: nomads of the channels

The Kawésqar or Kawashkar, also incorrectly called Alacalufs by European navigators, are one of the peoples of the Patagonian channels. Sea nomads, they traveled the channels and fjords between the Gulf of Penas and the Strait of Magellan by canoe for about 6,000 years.

Lifestyle and territory

The Kawésqar territory covered a vast area, including the western part of the strait, Wellington Island, Santa Inés Island, and Desolación Island. Exceptional navigators, they lived mainly on their boats—canoes built from tree bark allowing movement through the Patagonian channel labyrinth.

Their society was organized into small family groups constantly moving in search of marine resources. They fed mainly on sea lions, shellfish, fish, and also collected cholgas (giant mussels up to 17cm). Their name literally means “person” or “human being” in their language.

Spirituality and rituals

The Kawésqar had a belief system centered on Xólas, an omnipresent and celestial creator being. Their complex rituals included ceremonies where women assembled in specialized huts, with their bodies painted, to commune with spiritual forces.

The use of body paint was central to their culture, especially during religious ceremonies and initiation rituals. These practices reflected a sophisticated worldview adapted to their extreme maritime environment.

The Tehuelche (Aónikenk): giants of the continental steppe

The Aónikenk, the southernmost branch of the Tehuelche group, inhabited the vast Patagonian steppes between the Santa Cruz River and the Magellanic strait. These nomadic hunter-gatherers were the first indigenous people encountered by Magellan’s expedition in 1520.

The “Patagonian Giants”

European navigators were amazed by the imposing stature of the Aónikenk, who generally measured over 1.80 meters, quite remarkable compared to Europeans of the time (under 1.65 meters). This physical difference gave rise to the myth of the “Patagonian giants” and the very name Patagonia.

The term “Patagón” was coined by Antonio Pigafetta, referring to the giant Pathoagon, a character from a chivalric novel, thus captivating the European imagination. The Aónikenk called themselves “aonek’enk,” meaning “people of the south.”

Social organization and territory

Aónikenk society was fundamentally egalitarian, organized in bands of hunter-gatherers who moved on foot across their hunting grounds. They possessed detailed environmental knowledge and set up their camps (aike) in strategic places.

Their territory was divided into family hunting zones with clearly established boundaries. Transgressing these could cause conflicts, highlighting the importance of spatial organization in their society.

The Selknam: guardians of Tierra del Fuego

The Selknam, also called Onas by their Yagan neighbors, inhabited the large island of Tierra del Fuego and represented one of the region’s most sophisticated cultures. They arrived on the island on foot before the end of the last glaciation, when the strait was still closed by ice, and developed a complex society with elaborate rituals.

Territorial and social organization

Selknam society was structured around lineages inhabiting communal territories called haruwen. The island was divided into several such territories, grouped into seven “cielos” (skies), major exogamous divisions requiring members to marry those from other groups.

This complex organization revealed a highly stratified society where every natural element was associated with mythical ancestors and specific spiritual territories.

The Hain ceremony

The most remarkable Selknam ritual was the Hain ceremony, a complex male initiation that could last several months. It served to initiate young men into adulthood while maintaining male dominance through sophisticated theatrical performance.

During the Hain, adult men disguised themselves as spirits using elaborate body paintings and masks, terrifying women who had to believe in these supernatural manifestations. The Selknam used only three colors: black (charcoal and ash), white (white clay), and red (ochre).

Tanu, one of the deities represented during the Hain, Selknam male initiation ritual photo by Martin Gusinde
Tanu, one of the deities/spirits represented during the Hain, Selknam male initiation ritual; photo by Martin Gusinde

Shamanism and spirituality

Selknam shamans, called xo’on, enjoyed great prestige. They entered trances through extended chants, their souls attempting to ascend to one of the “skies” to obtain spiritual power. These shamanic practices reflected a complex spirituality connected to their territorial worldview.

Impact of colonisation and genocide

The arrival of European colonization in the 19th century marked the start of an unprecedented human tragedy for these peoples. Chilean and Argentinian colonization, with the establishment of sheep ranches and whaling, unleashed a true genocide against indigenous populations.

Systematic extermination

Between 1870 and 1900, Chilean and Argentinian authorities organized extermination campaigns against Patagonian and Fuegian peoples. Ranchers paid bounties for the ears of killed natives, making manhunt a profitable activity.

The Selknam population, estimated at over 3,000 in 1896, dropped dramatically to 279 in 1919 (Martin Gusinde, ethnologist), then to just 25 in 1945 (official figures). These numbers must be treated with caution, as they reflect the period’s filters, including intermixing and the need to hide indigenous identity for self-protection.

Human exhibitions

Humiliation culminated with the exhibition of native groups in European and South American “human zoos.” From 1878 to 1900, representatives of the Tehuelche, Selknam, and Kawésqar were captured to be displayed as curiosities. Many did not survive these dehumanizing exhibitions, some of the most degrading manifestations of colonialism and foundational acts of racism.

M. Maître and several captured Selknam, exhibited as part of human zoos in Europe, 1889
M. Maître and several captured Selknam, exhibited as part of human zoos in Europe, 1889

Renaissance and contemporary recognition

Despite assassination attempts, these peoples are not extinct. In recent decades, a remarkable cultural and political revival has taken place.

Official recognition

Argentina officially recognized the Selknam in 1994, while Chile did so in 2023 through Law 21,606. The 2010 Argentinian census records 2,761 people identifying as Selknam, with over 294 living in Tierra del Fuego. In Chile, 1,144 people declared themselves Selknam in the 2017 census.

The Kawésqar are recognized by Chilean Indigenous Law 19,253 (since 1993) and are organized into 14 Indigenous Communities. According to the 2017 Chilean census, 3,448 people declare themselves Kawésqar.

Research and rehabilitation

Chilean universities, notably the Universidad de Magallanes and the Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez, conduct research to document the true history of these peoples. Their findings show the Selknam were more numerous than previously thought and challenge colonizer-imposed historical narratives.

This cultural revival bears witness to these peoples’ extraordinary resilience, who, despite systematic genocide, keep their identity alive and claim their place in the history of the Strait of Magellan.

Patagonia wildlife : an exceptional marine fauna

The Strait of Magellan harbors remarkable marine biodiversity, ranking among the richest areas of the Southern Hemisphere. Its cold, nutrient-rich waters support a unique ecosystem with numerous endemic species.

Magellanic penguins

Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, Magellan Strait, Magallanes province, Chile
Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island (Magellan Strait, Magallanes province, Chile)

Magdalena Island, 32km northeast of Punta Arenas, hosts the strait’s largest Magellanic penguins colony (Spheniscus magellanicus) colony—about 50,000 breeding pairs gather there each year (October to March) for the breeding season.

Named in honor of Ferdinand Magellan, who saw them in 1520, these penguins reach up to 76cm and weigh 2.7–6.5kg, and are distinguished by two characteristic black bands on their chest.

Marine mammals

The strait supports a rich population of marine mammals. Humpback whales are especially frequent in the Francisco Coloane Marine Protected Area, created for their conservation—one of the world’s best whale-watching spots.

South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) and southern elephant seals establish colonies on the strait’s rocky islands. Marta Island, near Magdalena, is home to over 1,000 sea lions and various seabird species.

Small fur seal colony, Patagonian channels, Magallanes province, Chile
Small fur seal colony, Patagonian channels, Chile

Bird diversity

The strait’s waters attract many seabird species: imperial cormorants, black-browed albatrosses, southern giant petrels, and the majestic Andean condors.

Terrestrial flora and coastal ecosystems

Coastal vegetation from the strait to Cape Horn reflects the flora’s remarkable adaptation to Patagonia’s extreme climate. Nothofagus forests—Magellan’s beech (Nothofagus betuloides), lenga (Nothofagus pumilio), and ñirre (Nothofagus antarctica)—dominate wind-shaped wooded areas.

Patagonia is a massive, untouched, wind blown and raw land of southern South America. It is typically divided into three principle sections: northern, central, and southern. The climate of southern Patagonia is most extreme. On the Chilean side it is heavily influenced by the close proximity of the ocean. Antarctic currents with average temperatures of 4°C flow past the coast and violent westerlies bring the famous Patagonia wind along with staggering quantities of snow or rain.
Patagonian beech bent by the wind, Estrecho de Magallanes, Chile

More exposed zones feature matorrals composed of romerillo (Chiliotrichum diffusum), chaura (Pernettya pumila), and the iconic calafate (Berberis microphylla), a small fruit shrub. The region also boasts an exceptional diversity of mosses and lichens, miniature bryophyte forests emblematic of these subantarctic ecosystems.

Magellan Strait navigation and modern strategic importance

Mandatory piloting and Chilean maritime navigation rules for safety

Since 1978, navigation in the Strait of Magellan, as a cape Horn alternative, has required mandatory piloting for all commercial vessels, a measure by Chilean maritime authorities to ensure safety in these challenging waters and protect the exceptional marine environment.

Pilots generally board at Bahia Posesión for the eastern entrance and guide ships to the western exit near the Evangelistas islets, backed by a network of lighthouses and maritime traffic control stations along the strait.

Economic and geopolitical renaissance

Contrary to pessimistic predictions after the Panama Canal opened, the Strait of Magellan is experiencing a major strategic renaissance. Chilean Navy reports a 25% maritime traffic increase in 2024 over the previous year and projects a 70% increase for the year overall.

This growth results from several converging factors: global geopolitical tensions, the Panama Canal’s limitations for large ships, and Asia-Pacific’s emergence as a global economic hub. The strait route is 390 nautical miles shorter than via Cape Horn, saving about 32 navigation hours.

Green hydrogen development Magallanes

Magallanes is emerging as a major green hydrogen player, thanks to its exceptional climate. Constant, strong winds provide wind energy potential capable of producing seven times Chile’s current electrical capacity.

This controversial development would turn the strait into a strategic energy corridor for global green hydrogen supply. Chinese and Japanese investments reflect growing international interest in this new economic activity.

Tourism and discovery

Cruises and wildlife observation tours

The Strait of Magellan has become a premier tourist destination, attracting nearly 77,691 passengers for the 2024–2025 season. Punta Arenas, the region’s main port, hosts 175 cruises from 47 different ships, establishing the area as Chile’s leading cruise tourism port system.

Excursions to Magdalena Island are the highlight, with half-day trips for visitors to observe Magellanic penguins and whales in their natural habitat, guided by specialists who share insights about the birds’ and whales’ biology and behavior.

Antarctic gateway for tourism

The strait is a preferred gateway to Antarctica: Over 60% of cruise passengers (47,222) choose Antarctic programs, making Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams the main departure points for polar expeditions via the Drake Passage.

View of Punta Arenas, a stopover for international maritime transit, Magallanes Province, Chile, South America
View of Punta Arenas, a stopover for international maritime transit, Magallanes Province, Chile, South America

This specialization strengthens the region as a hub for international polar tourism, with infrastructure meeting International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) standards.

Conservation and environmental challenges

Marine protected areas

Conservation of the strait’s unique ecosystem relies on several marine protected areas. The Francisco Coloane Marine Park is Chile’s first marine park, created to protect whales and their habitat.

The Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, established in 1982, protects Magdalena and Marta islands and their exceptional fauna. These measures aim to maintain ecological balance while allowing sustainable tourism.

Climate challenges

Climate change presents a major challenge for the strait’s ecosystem. Altered ocean currents, changing temperatures, and shifts in species distribution require constant scientific monitoring.

The Magallanes region is studied intensively to understand climate change’s impact on subantarctic biodiversity. This research informs broader understanding of environmental changes in polar regions.

A passage for the Future

The Strait of Magellan perfectly embodies the meeting of history and future, preservation and development. This legendary passage, discovered over five centuries ago, is regaining strategic importance in a world in energy and geopolitical transition.

A unique bi-oceanic corridor and sanctuary for exceptional biodiversity, the Strait of Magellan stands out as one of the planet’s most fascinating places. Its ability to unite economic development, environmental preservation, and tourist appeal could make it a model for polar regions in the 21st century.

For travelers seeking extraordinary discoveries, this maritime passage offers an unforgettable experience at Patagonia’s far south, with one continental shore and one insular. Between maritime history, extraordinary wildlife, and magnificent landscapes, this legendary passage continues to write the greatest chapters of human adventure at the world’s southern edge.

Bibliography – Magellan strait

Article published by Karukinka Association – August 4, 2025

Historical Sources and Exploration

Geography and Geology

Indigenous Peoples

Kawésqar People

Tehuelche-Aónikenk People

Selknam People

Shamanism and Spirituality

Colonial Context and Genocide

Fauna and Biodiversity

Navigation and Maritime Transport

Climate and Meteorology

Tourism and Cruises

Economy and Development

Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve: an exceptional subantarctic sanctuary

Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve: an exceptional subantarctic sanctuary

by | Jul 23, 2025 | Patagonia, Environment, General news, Indigenous peoples, Karukinka Expeditions, Ocean and sailing news, Patagonian channels 2025-2030, Polar Research, Yagan/Yamana

The Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve (Cape Horn Nature Reserve), established in 2005, is one of the southernmost and largest protected areas in the world, covering more than 4,884,000 hectares of southern lands and waters. It contains unique terrestrial and marine ecosystems, pristine subantarctic forests, remarkable biodiversity—including over 5% of the world’s bryophyte diversity—and the last populations of the Yaghan people, who maintain a millennia-old connection with these extreme landscapes.

The Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve was included in UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere” program in June 2005, becoming both the southernmost and one of the largest biosphere reserves in South America. Spanning about 4,884,274 hectares, it comprises a terrestrial area of 1,917,238 ha and a marine area of 2,967,036 ha, integrating for the first time in Chile both marine and terrestrial ecosystems under a unified conservation status. The Alberto de Agostini and Cape Horn National Parks form the core protected area, where all infrastructure development is strictly prohibited.

1. Geography and zoning of the Cape Horn nature reserve

Geographically, the reserve extends across the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, between 54.1° S and 56.2° S latitude, and 66.1° W and 72.5° W longitude. It includes the Wollaston, Hermite, Navarino, and Hoste islands, as well as channels (including the Beagle Channel), fjords, and currents that form a landscape shaped by glaciations and tectonic activity. The UNESCO MAB Reserve zoning (Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve, i.e., the southern Chilean marine reserve) is structured into three areas:

  • The core zone (Alberto de Agostini National Park including the Darwin Range, and Cape Horn National Park) is strictly protected.
  • The buffer zone, where light and sustainable activities are allowed.
  • The transition zone, including isolated villages like Puerto Williams and limited infrastructure under a sustainable development framework.
cape horn map of cape horn nature reserve biosphere reserve cape horn unesco
Reservas de la biosfera de Chile: laboratorios para la sustentabilidad” by Moreira-Muñoz, Andrés and Borsdorf, Axel, UNESCO, 2014 (page 55)

2. Terrestrial and marine ecosystems

2.1 Subantarctic forest and peatlands

The reserve’s subantarctic forests are the southernmost on earth. Dominated by three Nothofagus species—N. pumilio, N. betuloides, and N. antarctica—they form both deciduous and evergreen stands, interspersed with peat bogs and alpine heaths. These forests are among the world’s rare examples of non-fragmented temperate forest. The organic-rich soils support vast carpets of bryophytes, typical of the cool, humid environment; these play a crucial role in the hydrological cycle and carbon sequestration.

2.2 Marine and coastal ecosystems

The marine component of the reserve centers around a complex network of fjords, channels, and underwater plateaus. The Humboldt current and the mixing of cold Pacific and Atlantic waters have fostered the development of kelp forests (Macrocystis pyrifera, Durvillaea antarctica) forming “underwater forests” that host diverse invertebrate fauna and fish communities. Intertidal habitats harbor macroalgae species and numerous endemic invertebrates, while the cold, oxygen-rich waters support populations of seals, sea lions, and several cetacean species.

3. Biological diversity and endemism: subantarctic biodiversity

3.1 Bryophytes and lichens

With over 300 species of liverworts and 450 species of mosses, the reserve is a global hotspot for bryophytes, representing more than 5% of global diversity on less than 0.01% of the world’s land surface. These communities, described as “miniature forests,” serve as sentinels for assessing the impacts of climate change and rising UV radiation.

bryophyte mosses cape horn nature reserve biosphere unesco southern chile patagonia
Example of bryophytes / miniature forest (mosses, liverworts, and lichens) from the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (MAB-UNESCO); Navarino Island, 2020 (c) Lauriane Lemasson.

3.2 Terrestrial and marine fauna

Terrestrial fauna include the southern river otter (Lontra provocax), the Magellanic woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus), and other endemic birds. In the marine environment, the surrounding waters are home to black-browed albatross, giant petrels, Magellanic penguins, and stable populations of fur seals and leopard seals, highlighting the ecological importance of this protected area.

A black Carancho from Martial Bay Cape Horn Reserve, April 10, 2025, during a sailing expedition at Cape Horn and in the Patagonian channels, chilean fjords.
A black Carancho from Martial Bay (Cape Horn Reserve, April 10, 2025, during a sailing expedition at Cape Horn and in the Patagonian channels)
Whales in the Beagle Channel during the 2018 expedition (Karukinka Association)
Whales in the Beagle Channel during the 2018 expedition (Karukinka Association)

4. Biocultural dimension and Yaghan ethnology

The reserve is also a cultural sanctuary. The Yaghan, nomadic people of the southern channels, are the world’s southernmost indigenous group, with a presence dating back over 7,500 years, as evidenced by archaeological sites on Navarino Island. They continue to possess expert knowledge of canoe navigation and subantarctic ecology, and have actively participated in research within the reserve, particularly through the Omora Ethnobotanical Park near Puerto Williams. Their oral traditions, language, and knowledge of local flora and fauna are incorporated into educational and conservation programs. Ecotourism in Patagonia is also a key activity of the Omora initiative.

5. Governance and management

The reserve is managed by a board chaired by the regional governor, involving public agencies and local organizations. The scientific committee, coordinated by the Omora Park and the University of Magallanes, leads research, ecological monitoring, and participatory conservation efforts. In 2006, the reserve joined UNESCO’s Ibero-MAB network, strengthening transnational cooperation for research and training.

6. Threats and conservation challenges

Despite its isolation, the reserve faces several threats:

  • Uncontrolled tourism development, particularly southern cruises and increased traffic around Cape Horn, poses risks of pollution and disturbance to marine wildlife.
  • Intensive salmon farming in northern fjords introduces exotic species and degrades water quality. Salmon now breed in these waters, impacting native species such as the robalo.
  • The spread of introduced species such as the North American beaver and mink threatens riparian forests, streamside habitats, and shorebird nesting sites.

Long-term monitoring programs, such as the Omora initiative and Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) stations, assess these pressures and propose adaptive measures. However, monitoring is hampered by the vastness of the reserve and its logistical challenges.

Lake created at the foot of a glacier by beavers, photographed during a sailing expedition in Patagonia (Beagle Channel, Hoste Island, Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile).

7. Research and education initiatives

7.1 Omora Ethnobotanical Park

Founded in 2000, the Omora Ethnobotanical Park is at the center of a transdisciplinary approach combining ecology, environmental philosophy, and “field philosophy” education. It offers educational trails, including “miniature forests,” to raise public awareness of bryophyte diversity and the link between biodiversity and Yaghan culture.

7.2 Cape Horn International Center (CHIC)

Inaugurated in 2020 in Puerto Williams, CHIC brings together researchers, artists, and indigenous communities to develop a model for biocultural conservation, technical training, and sustainable development. Its programs address the responses of biodiversity to climate change, the management of invasive species, and the formulation of public policy adapted to subantarctic zones.

The Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve remains one of the rare refuges where harmonious coexistence between local inhabitants and ecosystems at the literal edge of the world is fully realized. Securing its future means strengthening participatory governance, managing invasive species, and supervising polar tourism under the banner of responsible ecotourism. Finally, the ongoing integration of Yaghan knowledge in research and education programs will ensure the preservation of both the biological and cultural heritage of this unique subantarctic sanctuary.

Pia Glacier, Patagonian Channels, Darwin Range, Cape Horn Nature Reserve, Magallanes, Chile, 2025
Pia Glacier, Patagonian Channels, Darwin Range, Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Magallanes, Chile, 2025

Bibliography

  1. Rozzi, R. et al. (2006). Ten Principles for Biocultural Conservation at the Southern Tip of the Americas: The Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. Ecology and Society, 11(1). https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol11/iss1/art43/
  2. Rozzi, R. et al. (2008). Multi-ethnic and Intercultural Education in the Biosphere Reserve at the Southern End of the Americas. In Price, M. F. (ed.), Biosphere Reserves of the World. UNESCO-MAB. https://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/
  3. Rozzi, R. et al. (2004). Omora Ethnobotanical Park: A Model for Integrating Biocultural Conservation and Environmental Philosophy in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. Environmental Ethics, 26(2), 131–169. https://doi.org/10.5840/enviroethics200426226
  4. Mittermeier, R. A. et al. (2003). Hotspots: Earth’s Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions. Conservation International. https://www.conservation.org
  5. CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal). (2023). Reserva de la Biósfera Cabo de Hornos. Gobierno de Chile. https://www.chilebosque.cl
  6. Cape Horn International Center (CHIC). (2021). CHIC Strategic Plan 2021–2026. Universidad de Magallanes. https://www.centrochic.cl
  7. Anderson, C.B. et al. (2011). Exotic ecosystem engineers transform sub-Antarctic forest structure and function. Biological Invasions, 13, 545–561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-010-9841-4
  8. Anderson, C.B. et al. (2019). Cape Horn’s Lessons for Sustainability. Science Advances (UNESCO CHIC/UMAG). https://advances.sciencemag.org/
  9. Unesco-MAB. (2005). Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve Dossier. UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/
  10. Rozzi, R. et al. (2010). La Reserva de Biósfera Cabo de Hornos: una propuesta educativa y de desarrollo sustentable en el extremo austral de Chile. Universidad de Magallanes. Disponible sur la bibliothèque CHIC.
Where is Cape Horn? Location and the Characteristics of a Mythic Geographic Landmark

Where is Cape Horn? Location and the Characteristics of a Mythic Geographic Landmark

by | Jul 20, 2025 | Patagonia, Expeditions, Indigenous peoples, Karukinka, Karukinka Expeditions, Non classé, North Cape to Cape Horn, Ocean and sailing news, Yagan/Yamana




Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos in Spanish, Kaap Hoorn in Dutch, Loköshpi in the Yaghan language) is far more than just a geographic point. Located at 55°58′ south latitude and 67°16′ west longitude, this rocky promontory at 425 meters above sea level marks the southernmost point of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and symbolically marks the meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. At 965 kilometers from the Antarctic continent and just 138 kilometers from Ushuaia, Cape Horn rises as the ultimate sentinel of the Americas before the vastness of the Southern Ocean.

Geographical Position of Cape Horn

Location within the Fuegian archipelago

Cape Horn is situated on Horn Island (Isla Hornos), the southernmost island of the Hermite archipelago, itself part of the vast island complex of Tierra del Fuego. This modestly sized island (approximately 6 km by 2 km) is administratively part of the commune of Cabo de Hornos, in the Antarctic Province, within the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region.

Contrary to popular belief, Cape Horn is not the southernmost point of the South American continent — that title belongs to the Diego Ramírez Islands, located 105 kilometers to the west-southwest. However, Cape Horn remains the southernmost of the great historical sailing capes and the most symbolic nautical waypoint in the Southern Hemisphere.

Precise Coordinates and Strategic Distances

With exact coordinates of 55°58′28″ south latitude and 67°16′10″ west longitude, Cape Horn lies at a unique geographical intersection where the major oceans of the Southern Hemisphere converge:

  • Distance from Ushuaia (Argentina): 138 km to the north-northwest
  • Distance from Puerto Williams (Chile): 56 km to the north
  • Distance from the Antarctic continent: 965 km to the south
  • Distance from the geographic South Pole: 2,535 km
where is cape horn drake passage horn island cape horn map southernmost point south america
Geographic map showing Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America, adjacent waters including Drake Passage, and nearby islands located in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans. (Source : Wikipedia)

Geological Formation and Geomorphology

Regional geological context

The Cape Horn region is embedded in the complex geological history of Tierra del Fuego, shaped by Andean orogeny and Quaternary glaciations. The archipelago was formed through a process of collapse and fragmentation of the southern tip of the Andes, amplified by glacial erosion and rising sea levels following the last Ice Age.

The geological formations of Horn Island consist mainly of sedimentary and volcanic strata from the Upper Cretaceous period, bearing witness to the intense tectonic activity related to the closure of the Rocas Verdes marginal basin and the early stages of Andean compression. This explains the rugged topography of the region, characterized by moderate elevations but extremely fragmented coastlines.

Coastal Morphology

To sailors, Cape Horn appears as a 425-meter cliff dropping directly into the ocean. This distinctive coastal morphology is the result of marine erosion, Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles, and ongoing tectonic activity.

The Magellan-Fagnano Fault, a left-lateral strike-slip fault running east–west through Tierra del Fuego, indirectly influences the geomorphology of the Cape Horn region. With a movement rate of approximately 6.4 mm/year, this fault is a reminder of the continuous tectonic activity that shapes this part of the world.

Oceanographic and Climatic Environment

The Drake Passage and Its Features

Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage, an 809-kilometer-wide strait separating South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. This strait represents the shortest distance between Antarctica and any other continental landmass, only 135 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, between Cape Horn and Snow Island in the South Shetlands.

Map of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and seawater density fronts around Antarctica showing ocean depth and key fronts near the Southern Ocean and surrounding continents
Map of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and Seawater Density Fronts Around Antarctica, Showing Ocean Depth and Main Fronts Near the Southern Ocean and Surrounding Continents (source : Wikipedia)

Antarctic Circumpolar Current

The Drake Passage is the point of maximum constriction of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) — the most powerful ocean current on Earth. The ACC transports an average of 150 million cubic meters of water per second — nearly 100 times the combined flow of all the world’s rivers. Its strength peaks at Cape Horn.

This oceanographic phenomenon is the main driver of the extreme weather conditions in the region. With no continental barriers, the ACC fuels the relentless west winds known as the “Roaring Forties” and “Furious Fifties”.

Subpolar Oceanic Climate

Cape Horn enjoys a subpolar oceanic climate, with relatively stable yet cold year-round temperatures. Average temperatures hover around 5°C, and the area receives up to 2,000 mm of rainfall annually, with nearly 278 days of rain per year.

Wind is the dominant climatic factor, averaging 30 km/h but frequently exceeding 100 km/h during storms. These conditions are directly linked to Cape Horn’s position within the zone of the Furious Fifties — a corridor of uninterrupted westerly winds that circle the Southern Hemisphere.

Biodiversity and Conservation Status

Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO)

Since 2005, Cape Horn has been part of the Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO under the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). The reserve spans 4,884,273 hectares, encompassing a core area of 1,347,417 hectares composed of the Alberto de Agostini National Park and Cape Horn National Park.

where is cape horn location cabo de hornos chile horn island navigation cape horn sailing expedition cape horn
The southernmost part of Horn island during a sailing expedition to cape Horn with SY Milagro (Association Karukinka, 2025)

Cabo de Hornos National Park

The Cabo de Hornos National Park, created on April 26, 1945, spans 63,093 hectares and includes the Wollaston and Hermite archipelagos. It is the southernmost protected area on the planet, hosting unique subantarctic ecosystems adapted to harsh climatic conditions.

Exceptional Biodiversity

The Cape Horn region is home to the southernmost forest ecosystem in the world and harbors 5% of the planet’s bryophyte species (mosses and liverworts).

The flora comprises Magellanic subpolar forests, dominated by Nothofagus species (southern beeches), alongside rich communities of mosses, lichens, and ferns adapted to extreme cold and humidity.

cape horn forest horn island biodiversity biosphere reserve MAB UNESCO
Primary forest in Tekenika Bay (Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Karukinka Expedition, 2018)

The marine fauna is equally impressive: humpback whales, southern dolphins, South American sea lions, elephant seals, and orcas are frequently observed. The birdlife is dominated by black-browed albatrosses, giant petrels, Magellanic penguins, imperial cormorants, and even Andean condors.

whales patagonian channels canals patagonia chilean fjords beagle channel sailing expedition
Whales observed during a sailing expedition through the Patagonian channels (Chile) autumn 2018 (c) Karukinka

Maritime History and European Discovery

The Discovery of 1616

Cape Horn was discovered on January 29, 1616, during a Dutch expedition led by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire. They sought an alternative to the Strait of Magellan to bypass the trade monopoly of the Dutch East India Company.

The cape was named in honor of the Dutch town of Hoorn, the expedition’s port of origin. This discovery profoundly altered maritime trade routes by offering a new corridor — broader than the Strait of Magellan, but vastly more dangerous.

A Historic Trade Route

For nearly three centuries, Cape Horn was a crucial maritime passage for global trade routes. Large sailing ships — known as “Cape Horners” — traversed these waters carrying goods between Europe, the Americas, and Asia: including nitrate, grain, wool, and gold from Australia.

The era of the great sailing ships ended with the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914. The last commercial sailing vessel to round the Horn was the Pamir, in 1949, marking the close of a legendary chapter in maritime history.

map of islands from beagle channel to cape Horn french mission in cape horn 1882-1883
One of the many maps produced during the French Cape Horn Mission (1882–1883) led by Commander Martial

Indigenous Context and Cultural Memory

The First Inhabitants

Before European colonization (1860–1920), the Cape Horn region was solely inhabited by the Yaghan people (also Yámana) — marine nomads who navigated these waterways in bark canoes. These hunter-gatherers developed an extraordinary maritime culture adapted to the severe subantarctic climate.

The Cape Horn promontory was called Loköshpi in the Yaghan language, reflecting a rich indigenous toponymy. According to research by Karukinka Association, over 3,000 indigenous place names (in Yaghan, Haush, and Selk’nam) have been recorded in the area, revealing a detailed and sensitive knowledge of the landscape.

Preservation and Memory Work

For over a decade, the Karukinka Association, founded by Lauriane Lemasson in 2014, has worked to archive, preserve, and honor the memory of the indigenous cultures of the Cape Horn region. Their expeditions in the Patagonian channels, from Tierra del Fuego to Cape Horn, have contributed to sound archives, toponymic mapping, and cultural education.

This work is all the more crucial when one considers that these peoples experienced cultural genocide in the early 20th century, their population declining from over 10,000 individuals to fewer than 500 by 1920.

Contemporary Challenges and Futures

Tourism and Conservation

Cape Horn now attracts a growing number of expedition cruises, mostly departing from Ushuaia or Punta Arenas. While weather constraints limit visitor numbers, increased traffic poses conservation challenges for fragile ecosystems.

Chile maintains a military base on Horn Island, with a garrison, a chapel, and a lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper and their family constitute the only permanent inhabitants of this isolated place.

The Cape Horn lighthouse with the Cape promontory in the background during the rounding of Cape Horn by sailboat in April 2025 (Karukinka Expedition, sailing vessel Milagro) biosphere reserve cabo de hornos
The Cape Horn lighthouse with the Cape promontory in the background during the rounding of Cape Horn by sailboat in April 2025 (Karukinka Expedition, sailing vessel Milagro)

Scientific Research

Cape Horn continues to be a site of important scientific research, particularly regarding climate change, oceanography, and subantarctic biodiversity. The work of the Karukinka Association and its partners contributes to the growing body of knowledge on extreme ecosystems undergoing rapid transformation.

Conclusion

Cape Horn occupies a unique place on the globe — both physically and symbolically. Situated at the southern tip of Horn Island in the Hermite archipelago, at 55°58′ South and 67°16′ West, it marks the symbolic point of convergence between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, between the Americas and Antarctica.

Its geographic position explains its extreme oceanographic and climatic conditions, forged over millennia of tectonic, glacial, and atmospheric dynamics. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the furious westerly winds, and the legendary nature of the Drake Passage make this one of the most dangerous maritime zones in the world.

Yet beyond the physical landscape lies a story of human history, resilience, tragedy, and conservation — from the Yaghan navigators to the Dutch explorers, from the age of sail to the fight to protect its fragile ecosystems.

To understand Cape Horn is to grasp the essence of a place where extremity meets universality, and where the end of the world becomes a mirror of the planet’s past, present, and future.

Signs of hope as elephant seals rebound from avian flu in remote Chilean fjord (Mongabay, 04/06/2025)

by | Jun 6, 2025 | Patagonia, Environment, Local news, Scientific news

by Barinia Montoya

An outbreak of avian flu in 2023 hammered a colony of southern elephant seals in Chile’s Tierra del Fuego region, leading to a 50% decline in its population.

  • But over the 2024-2025 breeding season, the colony’s population recovered, with 33 pups being born.
  • An alliance between the Chilean branch of the Wildlife Conservation Society and the regional environmental department has been monitoring this particular colony for years, braving the remoteness and extreme weather at the southern tip of the Americas.
  • Experts posit that the site, Jackson Bay, may serve as a natural refuge from the avian flu because it’s geographically isolated as a fjord.

Source: https://news.mongabay.com/2025/06/signs-of-hope-as-elephant-seals-rebound-from-avian-flu-in-remote-chilean-fjord/

Year after year, a colony of elephant seals arrives in Jackson Bay, on the islands of Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of Chile, to molt and breed. However, in 2023, an outbreak of avian flu devastated the region, and the colony’s population dropped by half.

In 2020, when avian flu caused devastating losses in seabird colonies in Europe and Southern Africa, experts initially thought the virus’s spread to mammals would be limited to terrestrial carnivores. However, during the outbreak in 2021 and 2022, the virus affected seals and whales in both Europe and North America. In 2023, when the virus arrived on the South American coast, the pathogen showed that it was capable of causing large-scale mortality among marine mammals. The southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) was one of the most heavily impacted species.

But good news arrived in April 2025, when researchers found that the elephant seal population in Jackson Bay had doubled to 200 individuals, including 33 pups.

“It is great news for the conservation of the species, because Jackson [Bay], by being in inland waters of fjords and canals, may act as a protective barrier against pandemics,” says Cristóbal Arredondo, a veterinarian and terrestrial program coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Chile,. Since 2008, WCS Chile has monitored this colony alongside the environmental department of the Magallanes region, which encompasses Tierra del Fuego.

southern elephant seals chilean fjord tierra del fuego mirounga leonina
Elephant seals in Jackson Bay. Image courtesy of Francisco Brañas.

A refuge from the virus

Jackson Bay is home to “the largest elephant seal colony in Chile,” according to Javiera Constanzo, a veterinarian and the One Health approach manager for WCS Chile. The bay is located between two protected areas: the Multiple Use Marine and Coastal Protected Area Seno Almirantazgo, or Admiralty Sound, which is administered by the Ministry of the Environment, and Karukinka Natural Park, which is a private conservation initiative administered by WCS Chile.

Karukinka Natural Park is a vast natural refuge that spans approximately 300,000 hectares (741,000 acres) of diverse ecosystems. Admiralty Sound, which surrounds the coasts of Karukinka, receives freshwater from several glaciers in the Cordillera Darwin, an ice-capped mountain range. Since Admiralty Sound is a large fjord — a deep, narrow valley with glacial origins that has been filled with seawater — it’s mix of freshwater and saltwater makes it highly productive. And as a government-protected area, Admiralty Sound is vital for the elephant seal population, Constanzo says, by prohibiting activities that could affect the species.

Above all, Jackson Bay’s isolation might make it a refuge for the colony of elephant seals. This hypothesis is still being studied, but “what is being observed is very positive for the conservation of the species,” Constanzo says.

southern elephant seals chilean fjord tierra del fuego
During the most recent season, 33 pups were born. Image courtesy of WCS.

Successful monitoring after 2023 avian flu

Data from satellite transmitters show that some of the Jackson Bay elephant seals stay put while others migrate from different places, coming from the Pacific Ocean or traveling in the Atlantic until they reach the Valdés Peninsula in the central Argentine Patagonia.

In 2023, during the highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak, there was a mass die-off of elephant seals in Argentina: according to a study published in Nature Communications, approximately 17,000 of the animals died.

At Jackson Bay, researchers recorded only about 100 individuals in the colony that year, less than half of the number recorded in prior years.

“We eagerly hoped that in the following season, the colony’s numbers would recover,” Arredondo says. And they did. The 2024-2025 season resolved any doubt: 200 elephant seals were seen in Jackson Bay in December, which is the month when the colony’s population normally peaks. Researchers also recorded the births of more than 30 elephant seal pups, the same number as recorded in 2023.

wildlife conservation society chile elephant seals
Researchers from WCS Chile and the Magallanes regional department of the environment in Jackson Bay. Image courtesy of Francisco Brañas.

The colony in Jackson Bay has “now recovered its numbers after the avian flu,” Constanzo says.

Experts attribute the rapid reestablishment of the elephant seal colony in Jackson Bay to several factors. For one, its location in the inland waters of fjords and canals, far from other affected colonies, may have served as a natural barrier against avian flu, reducing the risk of contagion.

The researchers suggest that elephant seals that contracted the highly pathogenic avian flu virus may not have managed to return to Jackson Bay, likely dying before reaching their destination.

southern elephants seals tierra del fuego avian flu chilean fjords
About 200 elephant seals were seen in Jackson Bay in December 2024. Image courtesy of WCS.

Monitoring in an extreme area

Wind speeds in Jackson Bay can hit up to 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour), presenting significant challenges for researchers as they disembark. However, this didn’t stop marine biologist Marina Maritza Sepúlveda from traveling to Jackson Bay in 2023 with a team of Chilean and British scientists. They fitted satellite transmitters on several elephant seals arriving in Jackson Bay, part of an ongoing project that WCS Chile is supporting.

Sepúlveda says the transmitters help scientists track the colony as it travels along the Cape Horn Current, one of the “least-studied and [least-]known currents in Chile,” and one that is “extremely important to understand.”

WCS Chile has also joined the team to monitor the colony of elephant seals. Given the high logistical cost of reaching the area, every opportunity to collect data is taken advantage of.

“The opportunity to have the animals there lets us maximize the chance to gather valuable scientific data,” Sepúlveda says. For example, veterinarians like Arredondo and Constanzo collect nasal and anal swabs to study the elephant seals’ microbiome, including their bacteria and virus loads.

southern elephant seal in tierra del fuego remote chilean fjord
Jackson Bay is located in an area where wind speeds can hit up to 120 km/h. Image courtesy of WCS.

The researchers also gather data by using an ultrasound to measure the elephant seals’ fat layers, which allows for an assessment of their body condition. They extract whiskers and fur samples to analyze the seals’ trophic ecology and check for the presence of heavy metals, and they collect droppings to test for parasites.

During the most recent season, researchers also collected samples to confirm the presence of avian flu in the colony. Those samples are now being processed.

“Teamwork allows us to optimize resources, share knowledge and ensure the collection of valuable data that contribute to the understanding and conservation of this colony of elephant seals,” Arredondo says.

Researchers have been monitoring the elephant seal colony in Jackson Bay as a long-term project for more than 16 years.

Every year between October and April, a small team hikes across the entire beach and coastal area. During these inspections, the researchers categorize the elephant seals by age and sex, which helps them understand the population composition of the colony. However, depending on a seal’s position on the ground, some individuals can’t be identified; in those cases, scientists put them into the “sex not determined” category, Constanzo says.

two southern elephant seals in chilean fjords studied by wildlife conservation society chile
Every year between October and April, a small team of researchers travels across the entire beach and coastal area to gather information about elephant seals. Image courtesy of WCS.

Elephant seals spend most of their lives in the water and only travel onto land to breed and molt, in a process that takes about one month. During this time, they don’t enter the water for food. This means that any change that increases their energy consumption is a problem, according to Arredondo. That’s why the researchers ensure they maintain a safe distance from the seals that “does not disrupt” their behavior.

In addition to counting elephant seals in person, they also used drones to map the area. These help researchers collect detailed images of the locations of the elephant seals.

Francisco Brañas, an expert with the protected areas unit of the regional environmental department, says processing these images can allow researchers to obtain additional information, such as individual measurements. Researchers can estimate the elephant seals’ body weight and evaluate their physical condition to determine whether they have sufficient food, according to Brañas.

“The images captured by the drones provide us with a more complete and precise view of the colony,” he says.

Regular monitoring has been key to evaluating the recovery of the colony, which was first described in 2006. That year, 46 individuals were recorded. Since then, the numbers have grown overall.

The striking increase in the elephant seal population in Jackson Bay is not only a testament to the species’ resilience, but it also reflects the collaborative efforts that are crucial to carrying out this monitoring work in a remote and extreme-weather area.

two southern elephant seals in chile tierra del fuego patagonia
Elephant seals spend most of their lives in the water and only travel onto land to breed and molt. Image courtesy of Pablo Lloncón.

Banner image of an elephant seal in Jackson Bay, courtesy of Francisco Brañas.

This story was first published here in Spanish on May 1, 2025.

Discover more news related with Patagonia wildlife and culture on Karukinka blog

What role does the new 20-meter sailboat play in enabling Karukinka’s activities?

What role does the new 20-meter sailboat play in enabling Karukinka’s activities?

by | May 20, 2025 | Patagonian channels 2025-2030, Expeditions, Karukinka Expeditions, North Cape to Cape Horn, Ocean and sailing news, Patagonia, Polar expeditions, Polar Research, Poles, Scientific news, Sports news, Yagan/Yamana

The new vessel, Milagro, serves as a cornerstone for Karukinka’s operations. More than a means of transportation, this 20-meter steel ketch is a fully equipped, autonomous floating base that allows Karukinka to carry out ambitious scientific, artistic, and cultural expeditions in Patagonia, Cape Horn, and even Antarctica #patagonia sailing

A versatile floating base camp in insular Patagonia

Milagro is an expedition sailboat acquired by the Karukinka Association in 2023 thanks to the support of its members. This 20‑metre Bruce Roberts steel ketch plays a fundamental role in the implementation of our association’s activities. Built in Sweden and having already completed two circumnavigations, the Milagro is a true “floating base camp” able to host a range of initiatives — artistic, scientific, or sporting.

With its tailored technical features (length 20 m, beam 5.25 m, draft 2.30 m, Cummins 180 HP engine, 180 m² upwind sail area and 295 m² downwind), the Milagro provides a robust, well‑adapted platform for our expeditions in polar and subpolar regions, Karukinka’s primary fields of activity.

patagonia sailing patagonian channels chilean fjords expedition darwin range fueguian channels expedition ushuaia
The sailing vessel Milagro at the foot of a glacier in the Darwin Range, Tierra del Fuego, Patagonian Channels, Chile (Photograph: Diego Quiroga, from the sailing yacht Pic La Lune, Ushuaia)

A support vessel for the logistics of our scientific, sporting, and artistic expeditions

An infrastructure adapted to field research

The Milagro is an essential logistical support for Karukinka’s scientific and artistic expeditions. Fully equipped and insulated, the vessel can host up to 12 people (10 for projects lasting more than a week) in five cabins (four doubles and one quadruple). This large capacity facilitates the creation of multidisciplinary teams, in line with our association’s goal of bringing together sporting, artistic, and scientific expertise.

Her considerable autonomy (1,500 L of diesel, 1,000 L of water + desalination system, generator, solar panels…) allows her to reach remote areas and remain on site long enough to complete our work. The vessel is also equipped for telecommunications in zone A4 and has internet access, ensuring safety and connectivity even in the most isolated regions such as the Patagonian channels (Tierra del Fuego, Darwin Range, Cape Horn, Antarctica).

glacier patagonia sailing cape horn chilean fjords darwin range expedition in patagonia by sailboat sailing vessel puerto williams
Exploration of a fjord in the Darwin Range (Tierra del Fuego) where one of Patagonia’s many glaciers flows (sailing vessel Milagro, Chilean Fjords, March 2025)

A tool for ambitious projects

Thanks to Milagro, Karukinka has greatly expanded its activities, enabling truly independent scientific and artistic research expeditions and residencies. The vessel is crewed by a volunteer professional team of two to three holders of the French State Sailing Certificate and Merchant Navy qualification.

The acquisition of this yacht made possible, among others, the North Cape to Cape Horn Expedition (2023‑2025), a major project supported by the French Ministry of Culture’s “Mondes Nouveaux” programme. This voyage, linking Norway’s North Cape to Cape Horn under sail, concluded with arrival in Tierra del Fuego on 24 January 2025, after travelling over 15,000 nautical miles and rounding Cape Horn under sail in March and April 2025.

sailing ushuaia sailing toierra del fuego patagonia expedition by sailboat sailing vessel puerto williams navarino island
Milagro at anchor in one of the many bays of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (2025)

Funding the association’s activities

A sailing section for self‑financing

Since 2023, Karukinka has had a sailing section affiliated with the French Sailing Federation. The association offers sailing courses reserved for its members, which help fund its actions in support of indigenous peoples and ensure the delivery of ambitious projects.

Given the budget required to maintain and operate a 20‑metre yacht — and the scope of the association’s long‑term projects (digitising documents and archives, creating online databases, funding travel to Europe for members of indigenous communities) — Karukinka’s Annual General Assembly sets the membership fee needed to take part in the various sailing activities and thus sustain its work.

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Sailing in the Patagonian Channels with our members from Scotland and Belgium: Norena, David, Morag, and Morgan (Beagle Channel, Chile, February 2025)

Supporting independent research

Aware of the difficulties laboratories and researchers face in obtaining funding for work in polar and subpolar regions, Karukinka does everything it can to support projects of a scientific, artistic, sporting, or humanistic nature. The Milagro plays a crucial role in this self‑financing and independent research‑support strategy.

Artisanal fishing in the Patagonian Channels with José Germán Gonzalez Calderón (fisherman and Yagan craftsman, honorary member of Karukinka and godfather of the sailing vessel in Puerto Williams)
Artisanal fishing in the Patagonian Channels with José Germán Gonzalez Calderón (fisherman and Yagan craftsman, honorary member of Karukinka and godfather of the vessel, from Navarino Island)

The association also offers services for field missions aboard Milagro to laboratories, institutes, and groups of researchers and/or artists. This approach allows resources to be pooled and makes difficult‑to‑reach study areas more accessible.

A tool of freedom for future projects

The acquisition of Milagro has greatly broadened the horizons of our association. Thanks to this vessel, we now have full freedom to continue our actions and research south of the Strait of Magellan, from 2025 to 2030 and beyond.

The yacht allows the association to conduct multidisciplinary projects in hard‑to‑reach regions such as the Patagonian Channels, Antarctica, and South Georgia. It also facilitates the continuation of work with the Selk’nam, Haush, and Yagan indigenous peoples of southern Patagonia, one of the association’s main areas of focus.

Arrival of the sailing vessel Milagro in the Beagle Channel, Patagonia, after 15,000 nm (photograph by José Germán González Calderón, near Puerto Williams, Navarino Island, Cape Horn region, Chile, 2025)
Arrival of the sailing vessel Milagro in the Beagle Channel, Patagonia, after 15,000 nm (photograph by José Germán González Calderón, near Ukika Puerto Williams, Navarino Island, Cape Horn region, Chile, 2025)

The Milagro represents far more than just a means of transport and is not an end in itself, but a means. It is an essential strategic tool, allowing the association to fully carry out its mission of exploration, scientific research, and artistic creation in polar and subpolar regions.

Thanks to this vessel, Karukinka can undertake ambitious projects, self‑finance its activities, support independent research, and continue its collaboration with indigenous peoples. The Milagro thus embodies the association’s philosophy: independence, goodwill, and commitment to knowledge and the preservation of the cultures and environments of our planet’s extreme regions.

Departure of the expedition sailing vessel Milagro from the fishing port of Puerto Williams with an international crew (Argentina, Chile, and France): Aude, Lauriane, Sébastien, Clément, Alejandro, Shenü, Damien, Mirtha (godmother of the vessel), Alicia, Maria, and Vaïna, filmed by José, the godfather of Milagro (January 2025).