Beagle Channel Penguin Tour from Ushuaia: Martillo Island

Penguins and shipwrecks on a five-hour sail through Patagonia's most storied channel

A catamaran tour from Ushuaia navigates the Beagle Channel eastward to Martillo Island, where you watch Magellanic and Papua penguins on the beach. The route passes sea lion colonies on Isla de los Lobos, cormorant cliffs at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and the wreck of the SS Monte Cervantes, sunk in 1930. A live guide narrates in English, Spanish or Portuguese, and children from age 4 are welcome aboard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Martillo IslandEntry included30m
2. Beagle ChannelEntry included5h

Sail Beagle Channel to Martillo Island

• Depart from Ushuaia tourist pier
• Sail through Paso Chico to Beagle Channel
• Circle Isla de los Pájaros to see birds
• Observe sea lions at Isla de los Lobos
• Visit Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
• Sail eastward past Puerto Almanza and Puerto Williams
• Arrive at Martillo Island to see penguins
• Return sailing north coast of Beagle Channel
• View historical sites Estancia Túnel and Estancia Remolino
• End trip with views of Ushuaia mountain range

The experience

The boat leaves the tourist pier in Ushuaia Bay and enters the Beagle Channel through Paso Chico, a narrow passage that opens into one of the world's most dramatic waterways. Early stops include Isla de los Pájaros, where Skuas, Black-browed Albatrosses, Steamer Ducks and Kelp Gulls wheel overhead, and Isla de los Lobos, where one and two-hair sea lions haul out on the rocks. At Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, the guide points out Imperial and Rock Cormorant colonies clinging to the cliff face and tells the story of the SS Monte Cervantes, a steamship that went down in 1930 and still marks the channel's treacherous history.

The catamaran then sails eastward along the channel's length, passing Puerto Almanza on the Argentine coast and the Puerto Williams Naval Base across the water on the Chilean side. The mountains that ring the channel rise higher as you move deeper into Patagonia, and the guide identifies the characteristic flora and historical estancias (Estancia Túnel and Estancia Remolino), where the semi-sunken hull of the Steamship Monte Sarmiento has rested since 1912. The journey ends at Martillo Island, where you step ashore or view from the boat a breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins and smaller numbers of Papua penguins, the only place in Argentina where both species gather.

The return route hugs the north coast of the channel, giving a final view of Ushuaia's mountain backdrop before the boat reaches the pier. The whole trip runs five to six hours, including time on the water and at Martillo Island. Port taxes are included in the fare.

What’s included

• Catamaran sailing through the Beagle Channel.
• port taxes.

Information

Lasts 5h–6h, runs every day at 09:00 and 15:00, from US$ 180 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 150 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.3 with pickup ›

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by SALUM TOUR & TRAVEL

Is this one for you?Join a shared catamaran sailing east along the Beagle Channel to Martillo Island for penguin viewing, or book a private charter if your group prefers to sail alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What penguins will I actually see on Martillo Island?

Martillo Island hosts a breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins, the species most common to Patagonia, along with some Papua penguins: the only place in Argentina where both types gather together.

Does the tour stop at Martillo Island or just sail past it?

The catamaran arrives at Martillo Island, where you can step ashore to see the penguins up close, or stay aboard if you prefer to view the colony from the water.

What other wildlife will I see besides penguins?

The route passes Isla de los Pájaros, where Skuas, Black-browed Albatrosses, Steamer Ducks, Geese and Kelp Gulls fly overhead, and Isla de los Lobos, where one and two-hair sea lions rest on the rocks. At Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Imperial and Rock Cormorant colonies cling to the cliffs.

What is the story behind Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse?

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse marks the site where the SS Monte Cervantes, a large steamship, sank in 1930. The guide narrates the wreck's history as the catamaran passes the lighthouse and its cormorant colonies.