Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

Les Eclaireurs is a red and white striped brick tower standing on the northeasternmost island of the small Les Eclaireurs island group in the Beagle Channel, roughly 9 kilometers from Ushuaia. The cylindrical structure rises 11 meters (36 feet) above a masonry base, with a single door facing west and no windows in its walls.

The Argentine Navy began building the tower in December 1918 and finished in January 1919, but operations were delayed until December 1920 due to material shortages. Since then, the structure has guided ships through the dangerous waters near the southernmost city in the world.

Visitors often hear locals and tour guides call this structure the Lighthouse at the End of the World, though that name belongs to San Juan de Salvamento on Isla de los Estados. The confusion stems from Jules Verne's novel and remains part of the way travelers experience boat trips through the channel.

The tower can only be seen from the water, so boats from Ushuaia approach for photographs without landing. On calm days, visitors get close views of the brickwork and circling seabirds, while rougher conditions shift focus to the wider channel landscape.

The beacon sends white flashes every ten seconds visible up to 19 kilometers (12 miles) and red flashes visible up to 13 kilometers (8 miles), now powered by solar technology. The original brick construction remains unchanged despite the technical upgrades over the decades.

Location: Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands Province

Inception: 1920

Height: 11 m

Made from material: brick

GPS coordinates: -54.87144,-68.08426

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30