Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse proudly signifies the southern tip of Argentina, south of which lie only several islands and Antarctica. The structure is a cone-shaped brick tower in traditional red-and-white lighthouse colours. Take a boat out to the lighthouse for a closer look and some excellent photo opportunities of Argentina’s southernmost structure.
Gaze up at the iconic structure at the southern end of the world. It reaches a height of 33 feet (10 metres) with a base width of 10 feet (3 metres). Capture photos of the tall structure that is decorated in red and white stripes. The lighthouse stands on a small islet of green mossy rock. In the background are rows of snow-capped Patagonian mountains.
Tour Ushuaia by boat to get a closer look at the lighthouse. Make sure to dress warm, as it can be windy and cold on the boat. See the birds and sea lions resting on the rocks of nearby islets. Many boat trips continue around the Beagle Channel from Port Ushuaia. The tours often stop at the lighthouse on the way for passengers to see penguins and other wildlife farther south.
The lighthouse was built in 1920. Its light is now powered by solar energy and flashes once every 10 seconds. This beacon can be seen at a distance of 7.5 nautical miles (14 kilometres) and continues to function in present day. Admire the structure’s exterior. The interior is not open to the public.
The name of the site is French for “The Enlighteners” and takes its name from the set of islets. Although it is often referred to as the “Lighthouse at the End of the World,” in reference to a Jules Vernes novel, this is not the site from his book.
Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is on the northeast islet of the archipelago south of Argentina, just across a small channel of water, known as the Beagle Channel, from the city of Ushuaia. Make the lighthouse one of your photo stops when you visit the province of Tierra del Fuego in the vast Patagonia region.
