❄️ The Southernmost Hotel on Earth Opens in Puerto Williams: What The Cormorant at 55 South Means for Antarctic Travelers

🧭 A New Gateway to Antarctica Opens in Chile

As the 2026/27 Antarctic season gets under way, a new address is changing how travelers reach the White Continent. The Cormorant at 55 South, Silversea's 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, is already welcoming its first guests on early fly-cruise departures, with its official inauguration set for 5 November 2026. It follows an earlier January 2026 target that was moved back.

🏔️ Why Puerto Williams Matters

Puerto Williams, on Navarino Island at 55° South, is often described as the world's southernmost city. Silversea moved its Antarctic homeport there from Ushuaia, Argentina, in 2022, and the new hotel, developed by the Chilean Pivcevic family together with Silversea, is designed as a comfortable first stop before polar voyages begin. It is expected to operate seasonally, from October to March.

✈️ How the Fly-Cruise Works

Silversea's Antarctica Fly Cruise lets guests skip the Drake Passage. The journey goes like this:

1. A Night in Santiago

Travelers begin with a hotel stay in the Chilean capital.

2. A Direct Charter Flight

A charter flight reserved for Silversea guests connects Santiago with Puerto Williams. It is the only direct flight between the two.

3. One Night at The Cormorant

Guests stay one night at the hotel before continuing south.

4. On to King George Island

From there, guests fly to King George Island to board their expedition ship. On the way back they stay at the hotel again before flying to Santiago.

Good to know: the hotel is intended for Silversea Antarctica Fly Cruise guests and is not bookable on its own.

🌲 A Hotel Shaped by Its Place

• Rooms: 150 rooms looking onto either forest or water, with handcrafted pieces by Chilean artisans.

• Team: made up of local residents trained to Silversea's standards.

• Dining: Latitude 55, the main restaurant, celebrates Patagonian flavors, while Bar Sur serves Chilean wines and cocktails made with local ingredients.

• Outdoors: nature walks, hiking, kayaking and birdwatching around the Beagle Channel and the Dientes de Navarino mountains.

🛎️ The Next Step: Add Days in Central Chile

Because the journey starts in Santiago, many travelers have time to add days on the mainland. Julio Private Tours arranges private transfers and private day tours of Santiago, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar and the Casablanca wine region, a relaxed way to settle in before heading south or to unwind on the way back.

Planning a journey to Antarctica via Santiago?

Ask us about private transfers and day tours

Julio Private Tours is not affiliated with Silversea. Details come from Silversea's public announcements and may change, so please confirm with your cruise operator. Contact: info@julioprivatetours.com | +1 (917) 809-5150