Navigating Patagonia's wilder fjords since 1965

A family timeline

• 1904
  1904

  The arrival of the pioneers

  Don Manuel Álvarez Ruiz and doña Isabel Coste, Joaquín's grandparents, arrive in the Última Esperanza region. From them descends the third generation of pioneers who still navigate these channels today.

• 65
  Mid-1960s

  The origins at Península Roca

  Don Joaquín, together with his brothers Nelson and Víctor Álvarez Estefo, sets up a sawmill at Península Roca. From that work with timber comes the idea of building their own vessel: the first 21 de Mayo.

• 7
  yrs
  Seven years of construction

  The first 21 de Mayo, built by hand

  At 26 years old, Joaquín and his brothers build the first 21 de Mayo entirely in wood: hewing the masts and even forging the bolts and nuts, which were nearly impossible to source in the region at the time.

• ✦
  Early 1970s

  The first tourists

  Before the new vessel was ready, the small launch Roca was already making trips to the glacier, though with limitations. Together with pioneer Nicolás Marcos Blanch, the first tourism routes to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers are opened.

• 68
  1968

  The estancia and the first lodgings

  Joaquín and his brothers are awarded Estancia Perales, receiving it under a shared rental concession. There the family's first guesthouse is born.

• ♥
  A family that grows with the business

  Joaquín and doña Juana

  Don Joaquín marries doña Juana Rodríguez Teveni. Together they have four children, who throughout their lives have worked to grow the family business.

• 93
  Winter 1993

  From timber to naval steel

  The Alberto de Agostini is launched, built at the then-new Puerto Bories Shipyard: a naval-steel hull with timber interiors — a major technical leap for the family fleet.

• 00s
  Early 2000s

  21 de Mayo III, capacity for 100 passengers

  Also at Puerto Bories, the 21 de Mayo III is built with a capacity of 100 passengers. The project is overseen by Ernesto Joaquín Álvarez Rodríguez, naval engineer and son of Joaquín and Juana — the next generation joins the fleet-building effort.

• 🏔
  Hostería Monte Balmaceda

  Tourism and hospitality come together

  The family acquires Hostería Monte Balmaceda, integrating lodging with fjord and Serrano River navigation and completing the experience for visitors to the area.

• Now
  Today

  The same family, a modern fleet

  Today the family remains at the helm, with state-of-the-art catamarans and barges for the region's logistical transport — serving both tourism and the development of Última Esperanza. Their own docks and workshops, and a mostly family crew, remain the hallmark they've always had.