Marble Caves. I cannot remember the first time I had seen a photo of it but I know it was at least a decade ago. It’s been a dream of mine to visit and I finally got to see it for myself! It’s located along the Carretera Austral – a beautiful, dramatic and wild region of Chile. While Torres del Paine NP and El Chalten are famous in Patagonia, I would dare argue that Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol) stands out to me as a surreal natural wonder in Patagonia!!! Albeit, it’s hard to get to 😀

Formed over 6000 years by the turquoise waters of Lago General Carrera, these marble caverns look otherworldly. But despite their popularity, planning a visit isn’t straightforward. Information online is inconsistent, schedules shift seasonally and transport to Puerto Río Tranquilo can be confusing.

This guide gives you everything you need to know. I did this route in November 2025 so all the information is recent and traveller tested.

Let’s dive in.

What Are the Marble Caves?

The Marble Caves are a group of naturally carved formations located on the shores of Lago General Carrera, the third largest lake in South America. It is comprised of different attractions.

• La Catedral de Mármol (Marble Cathedral)
• La Capilla de Mármol (Marble Chapel)
• Las Cuevas de Mármol (Marble Caves)

The sunlight reflecting through the glacier waters gives the cave walls a beautiful shade of blue. Depending on the weather and time of day, this can change dramatically.

No two visits are ever the same.

So, Where are the Marble Caves?

It is located in Northern Chilean Patagonia, along the Carretera Austral (Ruta 7). The group of attractions are located along the shores of Lago General Carrera, not too far from Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Actually, all tours will depart from Puerto Rio Tranquilo. As it is along the shores, the only way to get there is by boat or by kayak. Unfortunately, this means you cannot visit the caves independently.

Marble Caves (Everything You Need to Know)

As mentioned, visiting any of the Marble Caves means you can only join a tour. Don’t worry, I actually did both kayak and boat tours so I’d like to think I’m well equipped to give you all you need to know!

Kayak Tours (more photogenic & immersive)

This is really the reason why I went to Marble Caves, to kayak it! It’s not the cheapest tour, especially when you consider how long you get on the water. But I thought it was worth it for the immersive, more intimate feeling.

• Duration: 4 hrs total (1.5 hrs on the water)
• Cost: 50 000 CLP per person
  Attractions:
  • Marble Tunnel (Tunel de Mármol)
  • Marble Cathedral (Catedral de Mármol)
  • Marble Chapel (Capilla de Mármol)
• Requires: Basic fitness, warm layers
• Booking: If possible, book in advance.
• Difficulty: Beginner friendly but depends on the weather conditions!
• Pick this: You want low-angle photography, intimacy and slow paced exploration.

As you’re on a kayak, you can’t go as far as the boats can. For this, you are driven 5km to the starting point. It’ll be a 20min kayak to the attraction. But keep in mind that you are a lot more exposed to the weather. We postponed our tour by a day because of the wind! But the next day we had beautiful sunshine and NO wind. Wow.

Boat Tours (most popular + easiest)

There are actually two boat tours you can do. If you want a simple, easy, relaxing and cheaper tour that fits any schedule -> go for the boat tour.

The first is Capilla de Mármol.

• • Duration: 1.5 hrs
  • Cost: 20 000 CLP per person
    Attractions:
  • Marble Caves (Cavernas de Mármol)
  • Marble Formation (Formaciones de Mármol)
  • Marble Tunnel (Tunel de Mármol)
  • Marble Cathedral (Catedral de Mármol)
  • Marble Chapel (Capilla de Mármol)

The second tour option is the Full Mármol.

• • Duration: 2.5 hrs
  • Cost: 30 000 CLP per person
    Attractions:
  • All of the attractions in Capilla de Mármol
  • Puerto Sanchez Caves
  • Shipwreck
  • Panichini Island

I personally did the Full Mármol because – why not? I really did enjoy my time here. It’s interesting because you get to visit some of the Marble Caves/attractions that are too far to go with a kayak.

• Departures: During high season, there are multiple departures
• Booking: In person, same day
  You can honestly go to the portside and there are so many tour agency booths to pick from. Most of them work together and leave generally about the same time.
• Safety: Life jackets mandatory

Do You Need to Book a Tour in Advance?

Boat tours: No. There are so many operators around Puerto Rio Tranquilo to pick from. They all offer the same tour for the same price. However – check if the guides speak English (!!!) because not all tours are equal. I know for a fact that Mármol Expediciones has an English speaking guide so I recommend going with them.

Kayak tours: If you can, yes. There aren’t as many operators for the kayak tours (although, still plenty!) but spaces tend to be a bit limited. While I did message them in advance asking if the guide spoke English, we ended up on a Spanish tour… it was fine enough but unfortunately my Spanish is limited on explaining the details about the caves!!!

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Marble Caves?

The best season is of course, high season: Patagonian Summer, which runs from November to March.

Being in Patagonia, you might’ve heard about the Patagonian Winds. It’s not a myth, they are strong winds! Patagonian summer is when you have the “lowest” winds, the sun is shining so you get those amazing colours being reflected and tour frequency is the highest.

When booking, the tour operator said the best time to visit is about 1030hrs and towards early afternoon. This is when the sun light hits the water just right giving the blue colours to the caves. But of course, this is the busiest time. I did the boat tour at 1630hrs (after the kayak) and I can confirm that the water isn’t as vibrant as when the sun is high, especially in the shadow.

Wind, Weather & Cancellations

As mentioned, Patagonian Winds are no joke. Delays happen and sometimes, tours get cancelled. Just like our kayak tour! It’s not too fun being on the lake with the wind as you might get cold sprayed. You’ll probably have more than a night in Puerto Rio Tranquilo, so just keep an eye on the weather. Tour operators won’t post online if tours are cancelled so chat with them!

What to Wear & Bring

Kayaking: You will be wearing a kayak skirt, so best not bring very much with you.

• Warm fleece (if it’s overcast) or long sleeve UV shirt (if sunny)
• Sunglasses
• Wear your sunscreen
• Potentially a dry bag
• Your mobile – there’s a pocket in the lifejacket to store it

Boat Tours: Even when it’s sunny, people underestimate the wind chill!

• Waterproof jacket
• Wear a fleece
• Sunglasses
• Wear your sunscreen
• Dry bag
• Your camera/mobile

How to Get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo

I’ve written probably the most detailed post about how to get to Puerto Tranquilo, which covers the bus routes, schedules and border crossings… You can read that here.

A Cliffnotes version:

• From Chile Chico → Bus, hitchhiking, or car (4–6 hrs)
• From Coyhaique → Direct bus or drive (3–4 hrs)
• From Los Antiguos / Argentina → Border crossing to Chile Chico + bus

Read more about how to Border Cross from Los Antiguos, Argentina to Chile Chico, Chile here. It’s a detailed breakdown on what to do!

Safety

What sort of engineer would I be if I didn’t cover safety! It’s pretty self explanatory but still worth a mention:

• Life jackets are required for all tours
• Children must be accompanied
• Drones are not allowed near the formations
• Don’t touch the cave walls.
  If Kayaking – avoid hitting the walls with the paddles.

Short on time? Read this!

How do you get to the Marble Caves in Chile?

The Marble Caves can only be visited by boat or kayak from Puerto Río Tranquilo on the Carretera Austral (Ruta 7). All tours depart from the small pier in town. There is no way to walk or drive there and you cannot visit independently without a registered boat operator.

Are the Marble Caves worth visiting?

Absolutely! It’s one of Patagonia’s most iconic natural formations and a highlight of the Carretera Austral.

Can you go inside the Marble Caves?

Yes, by boat or kayak only. You cannot walk into the caves.

Is the Marble Caves tour safe?

Yes. Boats are regulated, captains are experienced and safety standards are enforced.
For kayak tours, it can be tricky if you don’t understand Spanish but if you’ve got kayaking experience, you’ll be perfectly fine. Kayaking is subject to weather conditions.

Do you need to book in advance?

Not usually. Mid November, we had booked the boat tours an hour before going. We did reserve our spots for the kayak tour a couple of days in advance.

Do Marble Caves tours get cancelled?

Yes. Lago General Carrera is extremely windy. Morning is the safest time but also keep an eye on the weather forecast!

Is the boat ride bumpy?

Sometimes, very… expect spray and wind!

Do you need travel insurance for activities?

I mean, I don’t recommend travelling without insurance. Check your insurance as kayaking generally is a covered activity.

Do you need a tour to visit the Marble Caves?

Yes..! the Marble Caves are only accessible by boat or kayak tour. There are no public boats, ferries, or self-drive options. All visitors must go with a registered operator due to safety requirements and lake conditions.

How much does a Marble Caves tour cost?

The price depends on the activity:

• Boat tour Capilla de Mármol: 20 000 CLP per person
• Boat tour Full Mármol: 30 000 CLP per person
• Kayak tour: 50 000 CLP per person

Most operators accept credit/debit card payments.

How long does the Marble Caves tour take?

Boat tours last 1.5 to 2.5 hours, including travel time across Lago General Carrera. Kayak tours take about 4 hours depending on conditions.

What’s the best time of year to visit the Marble Caves?

The Marble Caves are best visited in summer (November–March).

What time of day is best for the Marble Caves?

Morning tours (around 1030hrs) offer the best conditions:

• Calmer water
• Better lighting inside the caves
• Lower chance of wind cancellations

Can Marble Cave tours be cancelled?

Yes, it happens! Our kayak tour was cancelled because of wind. It will only be cancelled due to safety reasons. Kayak tours tend to cancel more than boat tours.

Is the Marble Caves trip suitable for kids or non-swimmers?

Yes. Boat tours are safe, life jackets are mandatory and you never enter deep water.
Kayaking requires basic fitness but is still beginner friendly. Although, I would probably say you should know how to swim for this.

Is the water really turquoise in real life?

Depends on the weather! The sunlight definitely brings out the colours more. The colour is caused by glacial mineral runoff suspended in the water. On sunny days, the reflections inside the Marble Caves are genuinely spectacular and not exaggerated.

Can you visit the Marble Caves without a car?

Yes you can, although it will be more time consuming. We did it, just needs a bit of planning!

• Bus from Chile Chico
• Bus from Coyhaique
• Shuttles and pre-booked transfers
• Hitchhiking (common along the Carretera Austral)

Once in town, everything is walkable.

Is Puerto Rio Tranquilo safe?

Yes, it’s a small quiet lakeside village. It’s very community based and typical Patagonia village. The only “risk” is the weather cancelling your plans.

How many days do you need in Puerto Río Tranquilo?

Plan on 2 nights at least:

• 2 nights for the best chance of completing the tour
• If you have more time, spend another night so you can visit Exploradores Glacier.

Is the Marble Caves tour accessible for people with limited mobility?

It’s hard for me to speak on this. Getting on the boats involves stepping down from a floating dock. I’d say the Kayak tours aren’t very accessible. But please, contact tour operators in advance if you need assistance or want to know more!