| Noir Island | |
| Native Name: | Isla Noir |
| Map: | Tierra del Fuego |
| Coordinates: | -54.4833°N -75°W |
| Archipelago: | Tierra del Fuego |
| Waterbody: | Pacific Ocean |
| Area Ha: | 22,500 |
| Length Km: | 20 |
| Width Km: | 8 |
| Elevation M: | 183 |
| Country: | Chile |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | Region |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Magallanes Region |
| Country Admin Divisions Title 1: | Province |
| Country Admin Divisions 1: | Punta Arenas |
| Country Admin Divisions Title 2: | Commune |
| Additional Info: | NGA UFI -893783 |
Noir Island (Spanish: Isla Noir) is an island located 17abbr=onNaNabbr=on west of Tierra del Fuego. Cabo Noir (sometimes called "Cape Noir" in English) is the south-western cape of Isla Noir.[1] The island reaches a height of approximately 183m (600feet).
The island has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of southern rockhopper and macaroni penguins, southern giant petrels, Chilean skuas and striated caracaras.[2]
Cape Noir plays a crucial role in a dramatic episode in Patrick O'Brian's novel, The Golden Ocean, which is based on the historical events of Commodore George Anson's circumnavigation of the world. In the story, a squadron of ships believes they have successfully rounded Cape Horn westwards[3] and reached safe waters. However, upon sighting Cape Noir, they are confronted with the shocking realization that their longitude reckoning is grossly in error.
The episode is described by the chaplain of the Centurion:[4]