Day 8 – January 2, 2026 Punta Arenas, Chile (Day 6 on the ship)

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Day 8 – January 2, 2026

Punta Arenas, Chile
(Day 6 on the ship)

Soooo… we definitely slept in this morning. 😄 After not getting to bed until after 1 am—and doing that two nights in a row—it finally caught up with us. John was not thrilled that we got up so late. I, on the other hand, couldn’t have cared less. I’m on vacation, after all!

We headed to Compass Rose for breakfast, and full bellies made everything better. Afterward, we returned to the room where John caught up on some work while I started going through photos and organizing them—always a bigger task than expected.

We met Catherine and Scott for lunch at Prime 7. I wasn’t overly hungry, so I went with a Caesar salad topped with chicken, while John opted for a burger. After lunch, John headed to the gym, and I spent a little time working on the blog before showering and getting ready for the afternoon.

Once we arrived in Punta Arenas, we headed off the ship and walked around town for about an hour and a half. Since we’ll be here today and tomorrow—and have an excursion planned for the morning—it was nice to stretch our legs, get some fresh air, and get a feel for the town.

After returning to the ship, we made our way up to La Veranda, where they were hosting a Grand BBQ. The spread was impressive—pretty much anything and everything you could think of—and it was all delicious. With an early excursion planned for the morning (more penguins!), we decided to call it an early night.

Another great day in the books. 🐧✨

A Little About Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is a major port city in Chilean Patagonia and serves as the gateway to Antarctica, as well as a jumping-off point for adventures to Torres del Paine National Park. Highlights include the waterfront boardwalk along the Strait of Magellan, historic sites like Fort Bulnes, and nearby natural attractions such as Magdalena Island, home to thousands of Magellanic penguins. The city is also known for its Patagonian cuisine—especially king crab and slow-roasted lamb.

Founded in the mid-19th century as a penal colony, Punta Arenas quickly grew into an important commercial and shipping hub thanks to its strategic location along one of the world’s most vital natural sea routes. It’s the southernmost major city on the Chilean mainland.

The weather here is famously unpredictable, with strong winds and sudden changes that serve as a reminder you’re nearing the edge of the continent. On clear days, you can even see the distant outline of Tierra del Fuego across the water—an unforgettable “end of the world” feeling.

Almost to Punta Areanas!
Looking across the Strait of Magellan toward the city of Punta Arenas.
Taken at the port – A “certificate” that says “I crossed the Magellan Strait”.
One of the historic street clocks located along the waterfront.
Walking around the Plaza Munoz Gamero, the central part of the city. The trees grow this way (branches spread outward rather than upward) because of the strong winds off the Straight of Magellan.
The monument to Ferdinand Magellan located in the city square.
One of the urban drainage canals that are used to prevent flooding and manage drainage efficiently.
Egads!!!! Look at all of those wires!
General Manuel Bulnes, a Chilean general and later president. He played a crucial role in establishing Chilean sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan.
Loved how they painted the building!
Called a “red hot poker” or “torch lily”. Native to Africa, it does good here because it’s hardy and adaptable and tolerates cool, windy conditions. Beautiful!
Cementerio Municipal Sara Braun – known for its elaborate mausoleums and European-style design. Though not nearly anything like what we saw in Buenos Aires, it was still neat to walk around and look at the different designs.
An old pier that has now been taken over by the birds, lol! The red sculpture is part of the city’s coastal art installations.
One of the many beautiful concoctions the ship comes up with…..
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