Cape Horn

Geography: Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island. Although not the most southerly point of South America, (which are the Diego Ramírez Islands) Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage.

Terrain: ICE!

Weather You Should Expect: The climate in the region is generally cool, owing to the southern latitude. Winds were reported to average 30 kilometres per hour, with squalls of over 100 kilometres per hour occurring in all seasons. Average summer (January–February) temperatures range from highs of 14 °C (57 °F) to lows of 5 °C (42 °F) and in winter (July) average temperatures range from 4 °C (40 °F) to −2 °C (29 °F).

What You Must See: The violent stretch of chaotic water between Antarctica and South America, one frequented by icebergs, huge waves and plagued by gale-force winds!

How to Get Around: The Strait of Magellan, between the mainland and Tierra del Fuego, is a major - although narrow - passage, which was in use for trade well before the Horn was discovered. The Beagle Channel, between Tierra del Fuego and Isla Navarino, offers a potential, though difficult route and there are various passages around the Wollaston and Hermite Islands to the north of Cape Horn.

Historical Fact: In 1525 the vessel San Lesmes commanded by Francisco de Hoces, member of the Loaísa Expedition, was blown south by a gale in front of the Atlantic end of Magellan Strait and reached 56° S where they thought to see Land's End. In September 1578, Sir Francis Drake, in the course of his circumnavigation of the world, passed through the Strait of Magellan into the Pacific Ocean. Before he could continue his voyage north his ships encountered a storm, and were blown well to the south of Tierra del Fuego. The expanse of open water they encountered led Drake to guess that far from being another continent, as previously believed, Tierra del Fuego was an island with open sea to its south. This discovery went unused for some time, as ships continued to use the known passage through the Strait of Magellan.

Science Fact: The prevailing winds in latitudes below 40° south can blow from west to east around the world almost uninterrupted by land, giving rise to the "roaring forties." The strong winds of the Southern Ocean give rise to correspondingly large waves. If the strong eastward current through the Drake Passage encounters an opposing east wind, this can have the effect of further building up the waves. In addition to these "normal" waves, the area west of the Horn is particularly notorious for rogue waves, which can attain heights of up to 30 meters  or 100 ft.

Fun Fact: There are two lighthouses near or in Cape Horn. The one located in the Chilean Navy Station is the more accessible and visited, and is commonly referred to as the Cape Horn lighthouse. On the real Cape Horn, there is a smaller 4 m fiberglass light tower. This is the authentic Cape Horn lighthouse and the world's southernmost traditional lighthouse.

Interesting Fact: The waters around the Cape are particularly hazardous, owing to strong winds, large waves, strong currents and icebergs. These dangers have made it notorious as a sailors' graveyard!!