Beagle Channel Paddle Tour: Gable Island & Penguins

Ten hours: canoe through the channel, hike an empty island, watch penguins breed

A full-day tour from Ushuaia that combines paddling inflatable canoes across the Beagle Channel to Gable Island, hiking its uninhabited terrain, and motorboat access to Martillo Island for penguin viewing. The route follows paths the native Yámana people traveled for thousands of years. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch with Patagonian wine, and a bilingual guide are included. Minimum age is 6, and moderate fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Beagle Channel1h 30m
2. Martillo Island25m · entry included

Full-day Beagle Channel eco-adventure

• Depart Ushuaia towards eastern peninsula
• Arrive at canoeing starting point
• Paddle through Beagle Channel to Gable Island
• Enjoy hot lunch with Patagonian wine
• Hike on Gable Island
• Take motorboat to Martillo Island
• Observe penguins from boat
• Sail back to mainland
• Return to Ushuaia by vehicle

The experience

The day starts with a drive east from Ushuaia along National Route 3 to the coast, where you'll suit up in rubber boots, over-pants, and a life jacket before paddling inflatable canoes into the Beagle Channel. You paddle the same waters the Yámana navigated for millennia, crossing open water toward Gable Island. The crossing itself is the point, not a transfer to a destination, but the passage as the experience.

Once on Gable Island, you'll eat a hot lunch cooked on site, with Patagonian wine, soft drinks, and mineral water. After coffee, the hike begins across the island's uninhabited landscape. There's no trail marked for tourists, no interpretive signs. The terrain is raw and the views stretch to the edge of the continent. The island sits at the far eastern reach of the channel, and the isolation is deliberate. This is what "End of the World" means in Ushuaia.

A motorboat then carries you to Martillo Island, where you'll watch penguins at their breeding site from the water for about twenty minutes, close enough to see them on the beach. The boat then heads back to the mainland where your vehicle waits to return you to Ushuaia. The whole day runs ten hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• inflatable canoe and paddling gear including rubber boots, over-pants, and life jacket.
• hot lunch cooked on Gable Island with Patagonian wine, soft drinks, and mineral water.
• coffee and snacks.
• motorboat access to Martillo Island for penguin viewing.
• bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Canal Fun & Nature S.R.L

Is this one for you?The ten-hour commitment means this tour fills most of a day in Ushuaia and rules out combining it with other activities. If you have a full day free and moderate fitness for paddling and hiking, the length is what makes both the canoe crossing and the island hike possible without rushing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What's the paddling like on the Beagle Channel?

You paddle inflatable canoes across open water in the channel itself, following the historic routes of the Yámana people. The crossing takes you to Gable Island. The distance and conditions depend on the day's weather, and the operator runs tours in all conditions, so dress for wind and spray.

Can I see penguins on this tour?

Yes, Martillo Island is a penguin breeding site. You'll watch them from the motorboat docked on the beach, close enough to see them clearly for about twenty minutes before the boat heads back to shore.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is cooked on Gable Island and includes a hot meal with Patagonian wine, soft drinks, and mineral water. Vegetarian, vegan, and coeliac options are available if you request them when booking.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. You'll need to dress appropriately for wind, rain, and cold: rubber boots and over-pants are provided, but bring warm layers and a waterproof jacket.

Can cruise passengers book this tour?

Cruise passengers cannot join the regular group tour because the ten-hour schedule doesn't fit port call windows. A private service option is available to accommodate ship departure times.