The Isla de los Estados in Tierra del Fuego

Overview

Isla de los Estados (Staten Island) is a remote, rugged island located east of the main Tierra del Fuego island, separated from it by the Le Maire Strait. It belongs to Argentina and is part of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. It is famous for its dramatic scenery, wild weather, and historical maritime significance.

• Coordinates: ~54°47′ S, 64°15′ W

• Size: Around 65 km long and 8 km wide

• Status: Protected area — access is strictly limited

 

Geography & Landscape

The island’s terrain is mountainous and heavily indented with deep bays and fjords. It is mostly covered by dense subantarctic forests and mossy tundra. The coastline is steep and rocky, with cliffs plunging directly into the sea.

• Highest point: Monte Bove (~823 m)

• Climate: Cold oceanic climate, with strong winds, high humidity, and frequent rain or snow even in summer.

• Vegetation: Dominated by lenga beech and ñire forests, peat bogs, and alpine tundra in higher elevations.

History

• Discovery: Sighted by Dutch navigators Jacob Le Maire and Willem Schouten in 1616 during their voyage around Cape Horn. They named it “Staten Landt” (meaning “States Land”).

• Maritime Significance: In the 18th and 19th centuries, the island was a dangerous point for ships navigating between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Many wrecks occurred in the area.

• Lighthouse: In 1884, Argentina built the Lighthouse at the End of the World (Faro del Fin del Mundo) on Isla de los Estados at Puerto Cook — made famous by Jules Verne in his posthumous novel Le Phare du bout du monde.

• Penal Colony: In the late 19th century, Argentina briefly used Puerto Cook as a penal colony before moving prisoners to Ushuaia.

Wildlife

Isla de los Estados is rich in marine and bird life, with many species thriving in its remote, undisturbed environment.

• Birds: Magellanic penguins, rock shags, kelp geese, giant petrels, albatrosses, and the elusive striated caracara.

• Marine mammals: South American sea lions, fur seals, and southern elephant seals breed on its shores.

• Endemic species: Some subspecies of birds and plants are unique to the island due to its isolation.

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Conservation

• The island and surrounding islets are protected as part of the Reserva Provincial Isla de los Estados y Archipiélago Año Nuevo.

• Access is heavily restricted to protect its fragile ecosystem — there are no permanent settlements except for a small Argentine Navy detachment at Puerto Parry and researchers’ facilities.

 

Visiting. Is it possible to go to The Isla de los Estados?

Because it is a strict nature reserve, tourism is very limited:

• No regular ferry or public transport exists to the island.

• Visits are generally possible only on special expedition cruises (such as those operated by Australis or small charter vessels) that may navigate along the coast but do not always allow landings.

• Landing permits are required from the Tierra del Fuego provincial government.

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Key Points of Interest

1. Puerto Cook – Historic site of the original End of the World lighthouse and former penal colony.

2. Faro San Juan de Salvamento – The famous lighthouse described by Jules Verne, rebuilt as a replica in Ushuaia’s Maritime Museum (the original location is too fragile to be restored).

3. Puerto Parry – Natural harbor and naval outpost.

4. Fjords & Bays – Stunning, unspoiled inlets surrounded by jagged mountains.

Cultural References

• Jules Verne’s The Lighthouse at the End of the World immortalized the island’s mystery and danger.

• The island remains a symbol of extreme remoteness and raw nature in Argentina’s southern frontier.