Puerto Williams, Naval base and port settlement in Navarino Island, Chile
Puerto Williams stretches along the northern coast of Navarino Island at 6 meters elevation, home to 2,874 residents facing the Beagle Channel. The settlement comprises naval facilities, residential neighborhoods, a small museum, and services for researchers and travelers heading to subantarctic destinations.
Founded in 1953 as Puerto Luisa, the settlement received its current name honoring John Williams Wilson, who established the first permanent settlement in the Strait of Magellan during the 19th century. Development accelerated following the Beagle conflict between Chile and Argentina in the 1970s.
The Yámana community inhabited these shores for over 10,000 years, developing specialized skills for maritime life including bark canoe construction and seal hunting. The Chilean Navy maintains a significant presence here, contributing to regional sovereignty in the southernmost inhabited areas of the Americas.
Daily flights from Punta Arenas to Guardiamarina Zañartu Airport take approximately 90 minutes, while a weekly ferry service operates across the Beagle Channel. Accommodation options are limited and should be booked in advance, particularly between November and March during trekking season.
The University of Magallanes operates a research center here serving as a logistical base for scientific expeditions to the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. The center coordinates international studies on subpolar ecology and climate research, providing year-round support for fieldwork.
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