General Carrera Lake

General Carrera Lake is a large glacial lake in Patagonia, straddling the border between Chile and Argentina and known in Argentina as Lago Buenos Aires. On the Chilean side it is the largest lake by surface area and is renowned for its clear, blue-green waters and shoreline marble formations.

The most visited highlight on the Chilean shore is the Marble Caves - sculpted, colorful marble caverns and tunnels visible from small boats; these natural formations sit at the lake edge and are reached by short boat trips. The lake is extensive and winds through mountainous, sparsely populated Patagonian terrain.

The basin is glacial in origin and the modern shoreline and caves have formed through wave action on the marble over thousands of years. The lake’s coastal features became well known to tourists and boat operators in the late 20th century, increasing visitation to the caves and nearby viewpoints.

General Carrera lies in the Aysén region on the Chilean side and in Santa Cruz Province on the Argentine side. The main Chilean gateway town is Puerto Río Tranquilo; the lake sits amid Patagonian steppe and glaciated highlands.

• Access: Boating access is the normal way to visit the Marble Caves and local operators run day trips from Puerto Río Tranquilo when weather allows.
• Cross-border Name and Colour: The lake is shared with Argentina where it is known as Lago Buenos Aires; water colour varies from deep blue to turquoise depending on glacial melt and light conditions.

What to See #

• Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol): Known in Spanish as Capillas de Mármol or Cuevas de Mármol, the marble formations are carved into the lake's shoreline and are reached by boat from Puerto Río Tranquilo on the Chilean side.