From the catwalks, Perito Moreno looks big. From a boat on the Canal de los Tempanos, it looks enormous. The navigation sails along the south face of the glacier, keeping a safe distance because falling ice can create waves, and the boat creeps close enough for you to see the stripes of compressed blue ice, the caves at the waterline and the ridges that climb back toward the Ice Field. The Tiqets cruise product offers roundtrip transport from El Calafate on an eleven-hour day with a seven o'clock start, and the day can be combined with time at the walkways. The page notes that the national park entrance, lunch and the premium area are not included, so plan to pay the park fee and bring or buy food separately. Pickup is arranged from your hotel at checkout and cancellation is flexible until the evening before. A boat trip is slower and quieter than the catwalks, which suits travellers who want to sit back and look, and it is a nice complement to a walk rather than a replacement. On cold or windy days, the cabin is heated, but the best views are from the open deck, so dress warmly.
The boat experience varies from day to day. In calm weather the water is a glassy grey-green and the glacier face is mirrored in it, while in wind the lake can be choppy and sprays reach the deck. Icebergs of all sizes drift past, and a calving event seen from the water carries a different drama, with the roar arriving through the hull. Crews keep a respectful distance, and on rare days when conditions are unsafe, a departure can be delayed or changed, so keep some flexibility in your plans.
Combine the boat and the catwalks for the best day. Where your booking allows it, pair an hour or so on the water with a few hours of independent viewing at the walkways. This gives you both the close-up from below and the elevated panorama from the balconies. Because the day is long, eleven hours with transfers, pack snacks, a flask of something warm and a windproof layer, and bring cash for the park fee. A camera with a decent zoom helps for details on the ice face, while a phone is enough for wide shots.
If your budget is tight, consider the guided walkway tour with an optional boat ride added instead, or skip the boat and spend your money on a mini-trek. If seasickness is a worry, note that the lake is generally calm, but wind can create chop; sit in the middle of the boat and watch the horizon. In November the boats operate regularly, and the springtime light is often crisp and clear, which makes for excellent photography. Booking in advance is recommended, since boat capacity is limited and higher-end departures sell out in peak months.
What to expect
The experience
A roundtrip transfer from El Calafate and a boat navigation along the south face of the glacier, combined with time on the walkways.
Best time
Mornings tend to offer the calmest water, and spring light is crisp, which flatters the blue ice.
How long
Around eleven hours door to door, with about an hour on the water.
Tips
Wear a windproof layer, bring cash for the park fee, and check the optional premium area and lunch separately.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a second perspective on the glacier from the water.
- Families
- Good for school-age children who like boats; the cabin is heated and the trip is short on the water.
- Couples
- Quiet deck views of a calving wall, followed by a warm drink at the walkways.
- Pair with
- The catwalk circuit on the same day, and an estancia dinner the next evening.
- Time needed
- One long day.
Good questions
Is the park fee included?+
No. The national park entry, lunch and the premium area are listed as not included, so budget for them separately.
Can I combine the boat with the walkways?+
Yes. Check your booking, but a day like this normally pairs the water with time at the catwalks, so you see the glacier from both angles.
Will I get seasick?+
The lake is usually calm, but wind can create chop. Sit in the middle of the boat and look at the horizon if you are prone to motion sickness.
What should I wear?+
Dress in layers with a windproof jacket, hat and gloves. The deck is cold even when the sun is out.
Is it worth adding the boat?+
If you can afford the extra time and money, yes. The water view gives a strong sense of the glacier face height and is a very different experience from the catwalks.