Antarctica Cruises From Ushuaia
The end-of-the-world port where most expeditions begin.
Get Ushuaia Departure QuotesThe Gateway to the White Continent
Ushuaia, in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, is the departure port for most Antarctic expedition cruises. It sits on the Beagle Channel between mountains and sea, and it is the closest major port to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Through the Antarctic season, expedition ships come and go from Ushuaia’s pier almost daily. Many voyages begin with an afternoon embarkation and an evening sail east along the Beagle Channel before turning south into the Drake Passage. Because the cruise starts at the end of the world, the journey to Ushuaia needs careful planning.
Getting There
Via Buenos Aires
Most travelers fly into Buenos Aires and take a domestic flight to Ushuaia. Many expedition lines include a hotel night in Buenos Aires and a charter flight to Ushuaia in the voyage price; check what yours covers.
Arrive early
Weather and connections in Patagonia can be unpredictable. Plan to reach Ushuaia, or at least Buenos Aires, a day or more before embarkation.
Luggage
Charter flights to Ushuaia may have tighter weight limits than international flights. Confirm the allowance before you pack.
Documents
Check passport validity and entry rules for Argentina, and for Chile if your trip includes it, well before you travel.
A Day or Two in Ushuaia
If you arrive early, Ushuaia has plenty to fill your time. Tierra del Fuego National Park lies just west of town, with walking trails along lakes and the channel. Boat trips on the Beagle Channel pass sea lion and cormorant colonies and the much-photographed lighthouse. The town’s former prison now houses a maritime museum. Our sister site has Ushuaia shore tours with tours you can book before you go.
Ushuaia is also a stop on many Cape Horn cruises that sail between Buenos Aires and Chile, so you may share the waterfront with larger ships during the season. The town is compact: hotels, restaurants and outdoor gear shops line the streets just above the waterfront, so if you forgot something for the voyage, this is your last chance to buy it. Evenings in summer are long and light, and a seafood dinner of local king crab is a popular send-off.
Itineraries That Start in Ushuaia
| Voyage type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Classic Antarctic Peninsula | The Drake both ways, with several days of landings and cruising along the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands |
| Antarctic Circle | A longer Peninsula voyage that continues south across 66°33′S when ice conditions allow |
| Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica | A longer voyage, often close to three weeks, adding the Falkland Islands and South Georgia’s king penguin colonies |
| One-way with a flight | Sail from Ushuaia and fly back from King George Island, or the reverse |
For more about South American gateways and the voyages around Cape Horn, browse our sister site South America Shore Excursions.
Start Your Expedition in Ushuaia
Tell us your preferred voyage length and month. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare Ushuaia departures, including flights and hotel nights, and send free quotes.
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