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Observations of seabirds during two visits in the yacht Towrore to the southern extremity of South America in the summer and autumn of 1984 and 1985 are summarised with comments on their status in South America. Rockhopper and Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome and E. chrysolophus) are commoner than in the past, but larger penguins were not found breeding and may be more vulnerable since penguins still appear to be taken for bait. Chile holds about a sixth of the world’s breeding Black-browed Mollymawks (Diomedea melanophrys), a tenth of the Grey-headed Mollymawks (D. chrysostoma), many Blue Petrels (Halobaena caerulea) and Narrow-billed Prions (Pachvptila belcheri), and some Southern Giant Petrels (Macronectes giganteus). The White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) probably breeds, and possibly the Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur), collected in the past, and Antarctic Cormorant (Leucocarbo bransfieldensis). The first Manx Shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) for Chile were also seen in the Magellan Strait and near Cape Horn.