It would be a shame to visit the Tierra del Fuego without taking a trip along the Beagle Channel. It is serenely spectacular. Flanked by snow-capped peaks, the channel runs through some of the most wild and fabulous scenery, where small rocky islands are home to innumerable seal and penguin colonies.

Most boat excursions leave and return to the city of Ushuaia and many companies have kiosks from where you can buy tickets on the Muelle Turistico. All year round there are trips to the Isla de los Lobos (seal island), the Isla de los Pajaros (bird island) and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. During the summer there are more options still with the Isla Martillo penguin colony and Haberton among the destinations. It’s an all-day trip. Boats also journey west to the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and beyond, or opposite to Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino in Chile.

There are several companies offering boat trips along the Beagle Channel, which include: RumboSur on San Martin 350. Tel: +54 (0) 2901 421139. Tres Marias has a small motorised sailing boat with room for 10 passengers run by long-time resident Hector Monsalve. Tel: +54 (0) 2901 421897. Alternatively Canoero Catamaranes run excursions along the Beagle. Tel: +54 (0) 2901 9 513291.