The largest island in Chile is Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, at 47,272 km², although it is shared with Argentina. The largest island lying entirely within Chilean territory is Chiloé, at 8,321 km², followed by Wellington (5,864 km²) and Riesco (5,110 km²). These are the figures from the Global Islands database by the US Geological Survey (USGS), Esri and the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), in its March 16, 2026 version, compiled in the list of islands by area.
*Updated on November 4, 2026.* The ranking includes the Chilean islands of 1,000 km² or more that appear in that database and leaves out those of the Chilean Antarctic Territory, which is subject to the Antarctic Treaty. Eleven of the fifteen are in Magallanes.
Ranking of the largest islands in Chile
| Rank | Island | Area (km²) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (shared with Argentina) | 47,271.77 | Magallanes |
| 2 | Chiloé (Isla Grande de Chiloé) | 8,320.61 | Los Lagos |
| 3 | Wellington | 5,864.04 | Magallanes |
| 4 | Riesco | 5,110 (2003 figure) | Magallanes |
| 5 | Hoste | 4,251.45 | Magallanes |
| 6 | Santa Inés | 2,729.04 | Magallanes |
| 7 | Navarino | 2,513.86 | Magallanes |
| 8 | Magdalena | 2,082.22 | Aysén |
| 9 | Desolación | 1,616.91 | Magallanes |
| 10 | Dawson | 1,519.94 | Magallanes |
| 11 | Capitán Aracena | 1,289.04 | Magallanes |
| 12 | Campana | 1,213.35 | Aysén |
| 13 | Clarence | 1,162.79 | Magallanes |
| 14 | Madre de Dios | 1,138.21 | Magallanes |
| 15 | Serrano | 1,034.93 | Aysén |
Source: USGS, Esri and UNEP-WCMC, Global Islands database (2026). Riesco's area does not appear in that database and is a 2003 measurement cited in the same list. Tierra del Fuego is also the largest island in South America. The area is for the whole island, including the Argentine part; the database does not split each country's share.
This ranking is based on a single international database and may leave out islands it has not measured. Chile does not publish a single official table of island areas: if a national source gives a different figure, it will be noted here. Other records of the territory are in Chile's natural records.
The largest islands in Chile by region
| Region | Islands in the ranking | Combined area (km²) | Islands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magallanes | 11 | 74,467 | Tierra del Fuego, Wellington, Riesco, Hoste, Santa Inés, Navarino, Desolación, Dawson, Capitán Aracena, Clarence, Madre de Dios |
| Los Lagos | 1 | 8,321 | Chiloé |
| Aysén | 3 | 4,331 | Magdalena, Campana, Serrano |
Viajando Chile calculation using the database areas (Tierra del Fuego includes the Argentine part). Magallanes holds eleven of the country's fifteen largest islands. It is the result of the fragmented coastline of the far south, where the glaciers of the last ice age left channels, fjords and archipelagos. That is why several of these islands are almost uninhabited and can only be seen from a boat.
Which of the largest islands in Chile you can visit
| Island | How to get there | What to see |
|---|---|---|
| Tierra del Fuego | Ferry from Punta Arenas to Porvenir, or the strait crossing at Primera Angostura | Porvenir, king penguins, the San Sebastián crossing toward Ushuaia |
| Chiloé | Ferry across the Chacao Channel from Pargua | UNESCO World Heritage wooden churches, the stilt houses of Castro, curanto |
| Navarino | Flight or ferry to Puerto Williams from Punta Arenas | Puerto Williams and the Dientes de Navarino circuit, the Beagle Channel |
| Riesco | Barge across the Fitz Roy Channel, north of Punta Arenas | Estancias, steppe and forest landscapes |
| Magdalena | By sea from Puerto Cisnes | Isla Magdalena National Park, the fjords of Aysén |
| Wellington, Hoste, Santa Inés and others | By sea only, on cruises or ferries through the channels | Puerto Edén (Wellington), channels and glaciers |
Source: Viajando Chile, with information from the operators of each route. Schedules and fares change with the season: check them before you travel. Chiloé and Tierra del Fuego are the only islands on the list with roads, towns and services to explore by car. Navarino is home to Puerto Williams, one of the southernmost towns in the world; the guide to the departure point for these crossings is what to do in Punta Arenas.
If you are planning a trip south: Chiloé, mythology, stilt houses and food, the largest lakes in Chile and the largest glaciers in Chile, which complete the map of records in the far south.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest island in Chile?
Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, at 47,272 km², shared with Argentina. The largest island lying entirely in Chile is Chiloé, at 8,321 km², according to the USGS, Esri and UNEP-WCMC database (2026).
What is the second largest island in Chile?
Chiloé, if Tierra del Fuego is counted. If only islands lying entirely within Chilean territory are considered, the second is Wellington, in Magallanes, at 5,864 km².
Which region has the largest islands in Chile?
Magallanes: eleven of the fifteen islands over 1,000 km² in the ranking. Aysén has three (Magdalena, Campana and Serrano) and Los Lagos one, Chiloé.
Is Easter Island among the largest islands in Chile?
No. Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, is much smaller than the islands in the ranking, which exceed 1,000 km². Its importance is cultural: see what to know before traveling to Rapa Nui.
How to cite this data
Viajando Chile (2026). *The 15 largest islands in Chile in 2026: Tierra del Fuego, Chiloé and Wellington top the ranking*. With data from USGS, Esri and UNEP-WCMC. Available at: https://viajandochile.com/en/news/largest-islands-in-chile-ranking
