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Full-day tour · Year-round departures

Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers Boat Tour

Sail by catamaran across Última Esperanza (Last Hope) Sound to the two glaciers of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, walk through the forest to the foot of the Serrano Glacier and enjoy lunch at Estancia Perales, with the family that has sailed this route since 1965.

Book online See itinerary
About 9 hoursBack in Puerto Natales at 5:00 pm
Departs from Puerto BoriesCheck-in 7:00 am at our office, Eberhard 560
Easy walk to the SerranoThrough coihue and ñirre forest to the glacier
Lunch at Estancia PeralesOn-board drink served with glacier ice
From CLP $XX,XXX per personChildren aged 2 to 12 pay 50%

Puerto Natales' classic boat tour

A full day across Última Esperanza Sound to two glaciers in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park

The Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers boat tour leaves every morning from Puerto Bories, 5 km from Puerto Natales, and sails Última Esperanza (Last Hope) Sound by catamaran for about two and a half hours. Along the way you'll pass the area's historic estancias, waterfalls tumbling down from the mountains, colonies of cormorants and sea lions, and with a bit of luck a condor soaring above the cliffs.

At the head of the sound rises Mount Balmaceda (2,035 m) with its hanging glacier, which you'll see from the boat. A few minutes further on we land at Puerto Toro and walk through a forest of coihue and ñirre trees to the viewpoint of the Serrano Glacier, where the ice drops straight into the lake. On the way back we serve a drink on board, poured over ice collected from the glacier itself.

The day ends at our Estancia Perales, a family ranch on the shore of the sound, where lunch is served before sailing back to Puerto Natales. The Álvarez family has run this route since 1965 with its own catamarans, WFR-certified guides and Bernardo O'Higgins National Park admission included. Departures are confirmed with a minimum of 30 passengers: in high season (September to March) the tour runs daily, and from April to August confirmed departures are on Sundays.

Itinerary

Our itinerary by season

High season · daily departures with a minimum number of passengers

About 10 hours in total
  1. Check-in in Puerto Natales

    At the Turismo 21 de Mayo office, Eberhard 560, or directly at the Puerto Bories pier at 07:30. There is no hotel pick-up.

  2. Departure from Puerto Bories

    Sailing along Última Esperanza Sound with views of mountains, waterfalls, estancias and Patagonian birdlife.

  3. Balmaceda Glacier

    View of Mount Balmaceda's hanging glacier from the boat.

  4. Serrano Glacier

    Landing and walk through a coihue and ñirre forest to the viewpoint at the foot of the glacier.

  5. Return with a drink on board

    Sailing back towards Estancia Perales, with whisky served over glacier ice.

  6. Lunch at Estancia Perales

    Lunch at the family ranch on the shore of the sound.

  7. Arrival in Puerto Natales

    End of services.

Times are approximate and may vary depending on conditions in the sound.

What's included

Everything you need for a day on the sound, with national park admission included

Children under 2 travel free and children aged 2 to 12 pay half fare. Prices are in Chilean pesos (CLP).

Included

  • Bernardo O'Higgins National Park admission

  • Lunch at Estancia Perales

  • Drink on board Whisky over glacier ice

  • Coffee, tea and juice on board

  • Walk to the Serrano Glacier viewpoint

  • WFR-certified guides Wilderness First Responder

  • Safety briefing before departure

  • Boat trip insurance

Not included

  • Hotel transfer Check-in is at our office or at Puerto Bories

  • Helmet

  • Trekking poles

Gallery

The sound, the glaciers and the estancia, in photos and video

Swipe to see more · tap a photo to enlarge it

Tap any image to see it full size. The video shows the whole trip from Puerto Bories.

Video of the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers boat tour, Turismo 21 de Mayo
Watch the boat tour video
Turismo 21 de Mayo catamaran sailing Última Esperanza Sound from Puerto Bories
Setting sail from Puerto Bories across Última Esperanza Sound
Mountains and waterfalls along Última Esperanza Sound, Chilean Patagonia
Mountains and waterfalls along the sound
Balmaceda hanging glacier on Mount Balmaceda, Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
Balmaceda Glacier, seen from the catamaran
Kingfisher perched by Última Esperanza Sound, Patagonian birdlife
A kingfisher, one of the sound's birds
Trail through coihue and ñirre forest to the Serrano Glacier viewpoint
Walking through the forest to the Serrano Glacier
Serrano Glacier from the trail, Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, Puerto Natales
First view of the Serrano Glacier from the trail
Serrano Glacier front dropping into the lake, Última Esperanza
The Serrano Glacier front above the lake
Icebergs in the Serrano Glacier lake, Patagonia
Icebergs in the lake at the foot of the glacier
Serrano Glacier ice wall seen from the viewpoint
The Serrano's ice wall from the viewpoint
Serrano Glacier and its glacial lake with icebergs, Última Esperanza Sound
The Serrano Glacier and its lake
Passengers on the catamaran deck facing the glaciers of Última Esperanza Sound
On deck, facing the glaciers
Drink on board: whisky with Serrano Glacier ice
A drink on board with glacier ice
Estancia Perales on the shore of Última Esperanza Sound, Puerto Natales
Arriving at Estancia Perales
Patagonian lunch served at Estancia Perales
Lunch at the estancia
Lunch at Estancia Perales on the shore of Última Esperanza Sound
The Estancia Perales dining room
Serrano Glacier from the viewpoint, Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
Serrano Glacier from the viewpoint

Before you sail

What to know to make the most of your day

Where to check in

At the Turismo 21 de Mayo office, Eberhard 560, Puerto Natales, or directly at the Puerto Bories pier. There is no hotel pick-up.

Weather permitting

Sailing depends on conditions in the sound. If the captain cancels a departure due to conditions, your trip is rescheduled or a refund is arranged.

No-sailing days

There are no departures and the office is closed on December 25, January 1 and Good Friday.

Children

Children under 2 travel free. Children aged 2 to 12 pay 50% of the fare. Prices are in Chilean pesos (CLP).

What to bring

Patagonian weather changes fast. We recommend:

  • Gloves and a hat
  • Windbreaker or waterproof jacket
  • Comfortable shoes for the walk
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Camera with a charged battery

Frequently asked questions

The most common questions before booking

The boat tour runs year-round. In high season, from September to March, it is scheduled daily; in winter, from April to August, confirmed departures are on Sundays. Every departure is confirmed with a minimum of 30 passengers, so it's best to ask about your date by email or WhatsApp.
It's a full-day tour. In high season check-in is at 07:00 and you're back in Puerto Natales around 17:00; in winter everything runs an hour later. Times are approximate because they depend on conditions in the sound.
It's a short, easy walk along a forest trail to the glacier viewpoint, suitable for most people with normal mobility, including children and seniors. Comfortable shoes are recommended. If you have questions about reduced mobility, write to us before booking.
Yes. The tour includes lunch at Estancia Perales, Bernardo O'Higgins National Park admission, a drink on board with glacier ice, coffee, tea and juice, the safety briefing, WFR-certified guides and boat trip insurance. Helmets and trekking poles are not included.
We don't offer hotel pick-up. Check-in is at our office at Eberhard 560 in Puerto Natales, or directly at the Puerto Bories pier at the stated time.
You can book by emailing info@turismo21demayo.cl with your date and each passenger's details. For quick questions, message us on WhatsApp. You can pay by bank transfer, payment link, or at our office by card or cash. We recommend booking at least one week in advance.
Sailing depends on conditions in the sound, and the final decision is the captain's, always putting safety first. If a departure is cancelled due to weather, it's rescheduled for another date or a refund is arranged.
2025–2026 season rate

Price per person · full day

$180,000 CLP / person

Valid from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026.

  • Children aged 0 to 2 Free
  • Children aged 2 to 12 50% of the fare
  • Adults and over-12s $180,000
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Price

One all-in rate that covers the essentials of the day, with no hidden costs.

  • Round-trip sailing on the sound
  • Bernardo O'Higgins National Park admission
  • Lunch at Estancia Perales
  • Transfer from our office to Puerto Bories
  • WFR-trained guides
  • Boat trip and tour insurance

Children's rates apply up to 12 years and 25 days of age. Prices are in Chilean pesos (CLP) and subject to seasonal conditions. The full list of what is and isn't included appears further up this page.

Booking

Save your seat to sail the sound

Book and pay online in just a few minutes, or email us with your date and number of passengers. Questions before booking? Message us on WhatsApp. We recommend booking at least one week in advance.

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Download rates (PDF) or call us at +56 61 261 4420

How to book, step by step

  1. Book online by choosing your date and passengers, or contact us by email/WhatsApp.
  2. Get your confirmation with the departure details.
  3. Pay online securely, or with the method of your choice if you booked by email.
Payment methods
  • Card
  • Bank transfer
  • Payment link
  • Cash at our office