I want to introduce you to the most amazing place you’ve never heard of Staten Island. Hmm Staten Island you think? Wonderful – a visit to New York City! But no – there is another Staten Island, more often referred to by its Spanish name, Isla de los Estados. This island sits at the Eastern Entrance to the Beagle Channel and can best be described as Jurassic Park meets Penguins meets history. About the only 2 things the two Staten Islands have in common are having been named by Dutch explorers and they are both islands. From there they diverge significantly.
Isla de los Estados has been a bit of everything throughout its history. It was named by the Dutch Explorers Jacob le Maire and Willem Schouten in 1615. Since then it has been a haven to Sealers, referenced by Richard Henry Dana Jr. in his “Two Years Before the Mast“, used as a prison, and the back drop for Jules Verne’s “Lighthouse at the end of the World.” Essentially – this is the end of the world! Currently the island is home to a small Argentine Naval base (consisting of 4 people) and has been designated an Ecological, Historic, and Tourist Provincial Reserve.
Why is this place so amazing? Its remote location and designation as a reserve have kept it well protected. It is the only place in Argentina with Fjords and the constant moisture it gets from the southern storms also keeps it moist and green. A recent guest described it as a spiritual place. It feels prehistoric. Sometimes even a leopard seals plays in the fjords adding even more to this illusion of entering a world millions of years old.
Three types of penguins call this island home – Magellanic Penguins, Rockhopper Penguins, and King Penguins. The King penguins were at one point almost decimated by sealer and other inhabitants throughout the island history. Now, while small the colony is growing by a few each year – 3 years ago there were 10, the next 13, and this year a few more. Its exciting to watch this colony grow.
On the Eastern tip of the island there is a reconstruction of the light house of Jules Verne fame. The few privileged visitors can actually go inside and explore this light house. Luckily those from the story are no longer there (the story centers around a murder).
In another cove the fjords extend so far in that one is able to walk across the island to see its south side.
Everywhere one goes on this island there is a surprise – a hidden lake high in the mountains, an old cemetery overgrown by grasses, a sea lion one didn’t notice at first. It is truly another, amazing world.
An argentine channel put together an excellent documentary. Its in spanish, but the beautify of the place speaks louder than anyone’s lack of spanish.
Interested? We have 3 trips going next year! Check them out here.