Boat Excursion to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers, Patagonia

4.5 (15 reviews)
Enjoy a guided boat ride to view lush native forests, sea lion and cormorant colonies, and the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers.
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V
Vineetha K.
Feb 07, 2024
Whiskey with glacier ice at the end of the trip was great!
Karen
Karen L.
Nov 24, 2023
This was exactly what we wanted- lunch was amazing, the captain was great- maneuvered the boat so everyone could get a view.
Malcolm
Malcolm S.
Jan 22, 2023
The hike at the glacier face was just about right for a 70 year old man. The views are spectacular and the ship crew went out... Read more
Betsy
Betsy R.
Jan 15, 2023
This was an incredibly beautiful day. The boat ride was cold and windy (not unexpectedly) but we saw all kinds of amazing birds and the glaciers... Read more
K
Kelly R.
Jan 03, 2023
This tour was very organized despite being very large. On the itinerary it said small group. It included a nice large lunch. The lamb lunch was... Read more
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Overview

Head out on a 7-hour boat excursion from Puerto Natales to the southern end of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, home to the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. During this scenic ride, you can enjoy panoramic views of native forests and sea lion colonies. Next, you may leave the boat for a short hike to a vantage point where you'll have up-close views of the massive ice structures. Often, the day concludes with a traditional Patagonian barbecue at a local ranch before returning to Puerto Natales.

Highlights

  • Take a boat ride where you'll pass evergreen forests and sea lion and cormorant colonies
  • Leave the boat for a short hike to get an up-close view of two well-known glaciers
  • Enjoy a glass of whiskey served with glacier ice before savoring a traditional Patagonian barbecue

Know before you go

Recommended for
All ages
Group
Group tour
Food & Drink
Lunch Included

What you'll do

For this excursion, it's common to start your day at a dock near Puerto Natales. Here, you may meet your knowledgeable guide, who will be available to educate you about what you see on the journey. Then, you may board a boat, traveling down the Última Esperanza Fjord ("Last Hope Fjord") toward the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers.

During your boat ride through the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, you can relax and enjoy light snacks and beverages, but keep your camera ready. Often, guests can take in panoramic views of native forests with coihue, Canelo, and lenga beech trees. You might also spot native wildlife, as you float by popular gathering places for sea lion and cormorant colonies. 

Once you're near the glaciers, you may disembark the boat and take a short hike through a forest to a popular glacier viewpoint, where you can get a close-up view of the massive ice structures. Some guides even offer guests a glass of whiskey served with glacier ice at this spot. From here, you'll likely stroll to a nearby ranch to indulge in a traditional Patagonian barbecue. After eating, your journey concludes with a boat ride back to Puerto Natales.

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Traveler photos
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Traveler reviews

15 total ratings, 8 with reviews
4.5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.5
Food
4.1
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.5
Transport
4.8
L
Lisa S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 06, 2024
Full disclosure: The day we took this tour could not have been wetter. It poured rain the whole time, and everyone on the boat was soaking wet before we were finished. It limited the views of this incredibly scenic place. The windows were steamed up, and most people never went out on the decks because it was raining so hard. Read more

Full disclosure: The day we took this tour could not have been wetter. It poured rain the whole time, and everyone on the boat was soaking wet before we were finished. It limited the views of this incredibly scenic place. The windows were steamed up, and most people never went out on the decks because it was raining so hard.

Tips for future travelers

Consider choosing another experience if the weather is bad.

Quality of Experience
Food
Everything. We stopped at an "estancia" for lunch. It seemed more like an event venue, a giant room filled with tables. The wait staff was insufficient for the number of people they were trying to serve. We waited forever to be served, making the lunch take hours. The food was poor. The specialty of the house--lamb--was dry and overcooked. What a disappointment! We would have preferred to have skipped this part of the experience altogether.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
There was little in terms of a guide. The narration came over a loud speaker, and because of the noise level of conversation on our deck, we could hardly hear what was being said.
Transport
Paige
Paige S.
Tysons Corner, VA | Reviewed on Feb 29, 2024
This was some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen between the glaciers, waterfalls and mountains. It was also very cool to visit the ranch and see the horses and dogs. Lunch was also good! Read more

This was some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen between the glaciers, waterfalls and mountains. It was also very cool to visit the ranch and see the horses and dogs. Lunch was also good!

Tips for future travelers

This is a great activity of you want a “rest” day where you don’t walk as much. There was a short hike involved, but less than 2.5 miles total and the trail wasn’t too rocky. I would recommend wearing proper walking shoes though

Quality of Experience
Beautiful scenery, transportation was really well run, the lunch was tasty and in a beautiful facility
Food
Very good, several options
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The staff on the boat and servers at lunch were great and very accommodating
Transport
Clean, well run
V
Vineetha K.
Pleasanton, CA | Reviewed on Feb 07, 2024

Whiskey with glacier ice at the end of the trip was great!

Karen
Karen L.
Waxahachie, TX | Reviewed on Nov 24, 2023
This was exactly what we wanted- lunch was amazing, the captain was great- maneuvered the boat so everyone could get a view. Read more

This was exactly what we wanted- lunch was amazing, the captain was great- maneuvered the boat so everyone could get a view.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
S
susan l.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2023
Tour boat packed with people...weather was good..some sun and cloud.. visited first glacier which was amazing...meal was ok at a local hall.. Read more

Tour boat packed with people...weather was good..some sun and cloud.. visited first glacier which was amazing...meal was ok at a local hall..

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Malcolm
Malcolm S.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2023
The hike at the glacier face was just about right for a 70 year old man. The views are spectacular and the ship crew went out of their way to get us close to fauna along the route. Read more

The hike at the glacier face was just about right for a 70 year old man.

The views are spectacular and the ship crew went out of their way to get us close to fauna along the route.

Quality of Experience
Food
Food preparation was a bit marginal, but certainly edible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Their extra effort to show us everything along the way
Transport
Betsy
Betsy R.
Concord, NH | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2023
This was an incredibly beautiful day. The boat ride was cold and windy (not unexpectedly) but we saw all kinds of amazing birds and the glaciers were just stunning. We really enjoyed the short hike into see the glacier within the Bernardo Higgins park. The lunch was such a wonderful experience - we sat with two French couples who also spoke English and solved many of the world's problems over several courses and a couple glasses of wine. Wow! Read more

This was an incredibly beautiful day. The boat ride was cold and windy (not unexpectedly) but we saw all kinds of amazing birds and the glaciers were just stunning. We really enjoyed the short hike into see the glacier within the Bernardo Higgins park. The lunch was such a wonderful experience - we sat with two French couples who also spoke English and solved many of the world's problems over several courses and a couple glasses of wine. Wow!

Quality of Experience
Food
The traditional Patagonian barbecue was AMAZING!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jan Erick was a terrific guide, full of great stories about his work/travels all over the world. He was very good at spotting wildlife, too.
Transport
K
Kelly R.
Crossville, TN | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023

This tour was very organized despite being very large. On the itinerary it said small group. It included a nice large lunch. The lamb lunch was delicious!

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Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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