Sharon Sparlin: USHUAIA: THE END OF THE WORLD

Founded October 12, 1884 by Augusto Lasserre, Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina and commonly referred to as “The Southern most city in the world” and “The end of the world”.

Welcome to Ushuaia Sign

Map of Tierra del Fuego archipelago

To reach Ushuaia the Royal Princess would first pass Cape Horn Lighthouse, the southern most point of South America whose face is a massive 1,391-foot rock. The time was just after 8pm on Wednesday, 2/27/2019. Plenty of light was available as Cape Horn and the Lighthouse came into view. This is also the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet and is only 500 miles from Livingston Island, representing the shortest crossing distance from Antarctica to any land mass.

Cape Horn and the Lighthouse

I have read many times that the seas are typically rough as you round Cape Horn and my experience confirmed that. You know your in for rough seas when your cabin steward finds it necessary to tie his cart to the handrail.


High seas preparation

With wave heights pushing 40 feet, I decided to take a short video of some of the wave action. Click on this link to watch the short 20 second video. Remember, it was shot from my vantage point on deck 5 of the Royal Princess.

We docked in Ushuaia on Thursday 2/28/2019 at 7am but I did not disembark until shortly after 10am as my tickets for the sightseeing bus were for the 10:30am departure.

Royal Princess in the background docked at Ushuaia

The town itself is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel

in the Bay of Ushuaia and is the only town located on the south side of the AndesMountains. Many boats and cruise ships dock here from Chile and other parts of Argentina, and many, if not most, cruises to Antarctica leave from there.

Exploration boat in Ushuaia harbor

M/V Ushuaia - Antarctic Exploration Boat Photo: PD

M/S Expedition - Antarctic Expedition Photo:PD

Ushuaia is home to some interesting museums, including the Maritime and Prison Museum which is housed in what used to be the Old Prison. In the first wing, each old cell now displays information on the old prison, prisoners and prison history.

Wall mural at Prison museum Photo: Jon Garth Swim

Map of the Maritime and Prison Museum Photo: Jon Garth Swim

On the grounds of the Old Prison Photo: Jon Garth Swim

Prison Museum Photo: PD

To experience Ushuaia I had purchased tickets online through Shore Excursions at a cost of $19. The website and my confirmation listed my purchase as “Ushuaia HOHO double decker City tour”. This was to be a 1-hour sightseeing tour of Ushuaia aboard a London-style double-decker bus.

Ushuaia double decker city tour bus

After disembarkation from the Royal Princess it was a relatively short walk to the pier exit.

Pier exit

The day was overcast and rainy, reaching a high temperature of only 49 degrees. After exiting the pier it was just a short walk to the ticket booth where I would need to exchange my voucher for an actual ticket.

Signage to the ticket booth

Cute little ticket booth

The bus arrived about 10 minutes before our scheduled departure time of 10:30am. I was traveling with a small group and our tickets were for the top deck. Fortunately, the bus was covered as it rained the entire tour.

Waiting area for the bus

Our group seated in the top of the bus

The 1-hour trip would take us completely around the city, making just one stop at the Ushuaia airport for views of the harbor and our ship.

Route map

Ushuaia airport sights


Ship view from Ushuaia airport

Although the day was dreary, Ushuaia does not lack for color and character.

One nugget of information retained from our tour was “There are no ants in Ushuaia.” I guess this is good to know in the event the weather were to turn sunny and you want to have a picnic.

The tour concluded by dropping me back at the starting point next to the pier. From here I met up with friends and walked up the hill to the Bar Ideal Restaurant.