Fin del Mundo Lighthouse

The beacon at Cape San Juan stands on a rocky outcrop at the northeastern tip of Staten Island and reaches a height of 6 meters (20 feet). The octagonal wooden structure supports a lantern that once helped ships navigate the waters off Tierra del Fuego.

Argentina built the structure in 1884 as the country's first beacon to help ships navigate the dangerous passages south of Tierra del Fuego. It remained operational until 1902, when a newer installation took over and the old tower was abandoned.

Jules Verne drew inspiration from this tower for his novel about a remote beacon, published in 1905. The book's title gave the structure its popular name and continues to make it a literary landmark in the Magellan region.

Reachable only by boat from Ushuaia, visiting requires permission from Argentine naval authorities and depends heavily on weather conditions. Because of its location within a protected area, access is limited and usually arranged through organized tours.

For nearly a century the structure lay in ruins before reconstruction began in 1998, combining modern building methods with the original plans. Today the rebuilt tower stands as a testament to the region's maritime past and draws literature enthusiasts and history fans alike.

Location: Isla de los Estados

Inception: 1884

Height: 6 m

Website: https://hidro.gov.ar/Historia/FSanJuandelSalvamento.asp

GPS coordinates: -54.73235,-63.85692

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28