Puerto Almanza

What Puerto Almanza is

It is a charming, picturesque fishing village on the Beagle Channel, right at the mouth of the Almanza River and on the shore of Almirante Brown Bay. It is a small, welcoming community of about 150 residents and some 30 little houses, where most locals make their living from small-scale fishing. From its waters they harvest fresh delicacies such as southern king crab (centolla), centollón crab, mussels and ribbed mussels. The views are amazing too: right across the channel you can see Puerto Williams, on Navarino Island (Chile).

A little history

The place dates back to February 28, 1899, when the decree officially authorizing the port under the name of Puerto Almanza was signed. However, permanent settlement only began to take shape in 1966, with the arrival of an outpost of the Argentine Naval Prefecture, until in 1987 the urban settlement we know and enjoy today was formally created.

How to get there

Puerto Almanza is 75 km from Ushuaia: you take National Route 3 and then complementary Route J (also known as Route 30), which crosses dense forest to the Beagle Channel shore. On our tour you get a round-trip transfer and a guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese (a Chinese-speaking guide is available on request). The program does not state the meeting point or time: ask about them when you check availability.

The King Crab Route, stop by stop

It is the road we travel to Puerto Almanza and back to the port of Ushuaia, in about 8 hours, through forests, lagoons, beaver dams and coastal viewpoints:

• Laguna Victoria: a country breakfast in a natural, ancestral setting.
• Brown Bay: a stop on the way to the village.
• Puerto Almanza: the fishing village, with lunch facing the Beagle Channel.
• Duende Waterfall: an easy walk of about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Flag Tree: with a panoramic viewpoint, before the return.

The itinerary ends at the port of Ushuaia; if you need to be dropped off at your accommodation, ask when you book.

What the tour includes and what it does not

It includes the round-trip transfer, the country breakfast at Laguna Victoria, the walk to the Duende Waterfall, lunch and a guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese (a Chinese-speaking guide is available on request). It does not include any service not listed in the program.

Around the village

The surroundings of Puerto Almanza offer very accessible, easy trails, ideal for short walks among native forests and crystal-clear streams. A very short distance to the west is Punta Paraná, a unique spot known for its long beach facing the channel. There are boat trips along the Beagle Channel to get here, but on our tour we travel overland to enjoy the scenery along the way.

When to go

The best time to visit Puerto Almanza is spring, summer and fall, when the days are longer and road conditions make it easier to make the most of the walks and the local food. Ask in advance about our tour’s departure dates and days.

More of the channel and the area

To see the Beagle from the water, with islands, a lighthouse and penguins, see the Beagle Channel. If you only have one day in Ushuaia, read Ushuaia in one day; with more time, Ushuaia in 3 or 4 days.