Boat Cruises in El Calafate

Argentina is a beautiful country, but its rugged coastline, especially the islands off Southern Patagonia, and its glacier lakes, are not to be missed when planning an Argentina vacation. El Calafate is located in Southern Patagonia on the banks of Lago Argentino, near the Perito Moreno Glacier. The Lago Argentino is absolutely stunning, and there are several boat cruises to choose from.

If you're coming from Buenos Aires, you can fly to the El Calafate airport, and sleep in an El Calafate hotel. El Calafate is on the shores of Lago Argentino, and you can either take a boat cruise right from the dock Punta Bandera in El Calafate, or you can take a bus to the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is situated on the Lago Rico arm of Lago Argentino. At Lago Rico, you can board a cruise at the Bajo de las Sombras dock. The boat cruise will take you around the Perito Moreno Glacier, a huge glacier that runs into the lake. Often, ice chunks will break off from the massive ice wall and splash into the lake. The lake itself is a brilliant blue green, and the surrounding ice floes are various shades of blue and white. You might want to take a bottle of champagne to chill in the water, or drink the refreshing glacier ice water.

Another great El Calafate boat cruise goes to the Upsala, Onelli, and Spegazzi Glaciers. At Punta Bandera, board the cruise for a day long tour. You will cruise along Lago Argentino, drifting past icebergs until you reach the Upsala Glacier. This glacier, at 37 miles long and three miles wide, is one of the largest in the region. Continue on to Onelli Bay, where you can disembark and walk around the lagoon, admiring the nearby glacier. This is where the Onelli, Bolados, and Agassiz glaciers converge. The lagoon is a great spot to have a picnic lunch, or there is a restaurant nearby where you can enjoy a meal. You will embark on the cruise again and head for the Spegazzini Glacier and the Seco Glaciers. Then, you will head back to El Calafate in the early evening.

Alternatively, you can take an Upsala Glacier Boat Cruise to Estancia Cristina, an excellent way to see the landscape and experience the way of life of Argentina's estancias, or gaucho ranches. Estancias all around El Calafate are still working ranches, where visitors can enjoy a home-cooked meal, horseback riding, and a warm bed. Estancia Cristina is one of the most remote estancias, only accessible by boat cruise or a several day trek. Launching from Puerto Banderas, you head north along Lago Argentino to Upsala Glacier. Nearby is the estancia, an 85000 acre ranch where you can enjoy a traditional Patagonia meal and a tour to the Upsala Glacier lookout point. Then return to El Calafate.