Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Catamaran & Martillo Island Penguins

The Beagle Channel's penguin colony waits 40 minutes on the beach, just meters away

You board a modern catamaran in Ushuaia and navigate the Beagle Channel past sea lion colonies, bird islands, and the iconic Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse. The main event is a 40-minute stop on Martillo Island's beach, where you stand among 6,000+ Magellanic and Gentoo penguins (and possibly King penguins) as they swim and walk just meters away. Navigation, guidance, air-conditioned cabin, and port fees are all included. The tour takes you through the same waters the Yámanas once paddled.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse20m · entry included
2. Martillo Island40m

Catamaran tour through Beagle Channel

• Navigate Beagle Channel waters
• See varied local flora and fauna
• Visit Isla de los Lobos sea lions
• Pass by Bridges archipelago islands
• Stop at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
• Learn about SS Monte Cervantes shipwreck
• Pass fishing village Puerto Almanza
• View Chilean town across channel
• Pass Gable Island, Yámanas home
• Stop at Martillo Island penguin colony

The experience

The engine cuts and the catamaran drifts toward Martillo Island's black sand. You hear them before you see them: thousands of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins calling across the beach, their voices carrying across the water like a crowd at a market. The boat pulls right up to the shore, and for the next 40 minutes you're standing on the sand watching them swim and waddle past you at arm's length, no barriers, no glass. If the timing is right, you might spot a King penguin among them, though that's rarer. It's the kind of moment that feels both impossible and completely ordinary once it's happening.

The tour runs on Canoero's modern catamarans: 2018 and 2019 models with air conditioning and restrooms, which matters when you're spending hours on the Beagle Channel. Before you reach Martillo, the boat stops at Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, the one everyone photographs because it's the one in every postcard of Ushuaia. You'll see the cormorants nesting on the rocks, and the guide will mention the SS Monte Cervantes, a ship that wrecked here in the 1930s. Then there's Isla de los Pájaros and Isla de los Lobos. The sea lions are the main draw there, both the one-haired and two-haired varieties, though honestly the birds are everywhere. Skuas, albatrosses, gulls. The water is cold and grey and the light changes constantly, which is why the photos never quite capture it the way you remember it.

The whole route follows the waters the Yámanas paddled in canoes centuries ago, and the guide will point out Gable Island, where they lived. It's not a lecture. It's more like someone showing you where the story happened. You'll also see the fishing village of Puerto Almanza and catch a glimpse of the Chilean side of the channel across the water. The port fee is already included, so there's nothing to sort out at the dock. Just show up, board, and let the catamaran handle the logistics while you stand on deck and watch the landscape unfold.

What’s included

Navigation and guidance throughout the Beagle Channel, entry to Martillo Island with 40-minute beach stop, visits to Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, Isla de los Pájaros, Isla de los Lobos, and Gable Island, modern air-conditioned catamaran with onboard restroom, and port fee included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:15 and 14:15

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 160

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Info de Ushuaia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Ushuaia's penguin colony and the Beagle Channel's main landmarks without arranging separate transport or worrying about timing. The catamaran handles the route and the 40-minute stop puts you on the beach with the penguins instead of watching from a distance.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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.

How close do you get to the penguins on Martillo Island?

The boat stops directly on the beach for about 40 minutes. Penguins swim and walk just 4 or 5 meters from you without barriers.

What other wildlife will I see besides penguins?

Sea lions on Isla de los Lobos, cormorants at Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, and various seabirds including skuas, albatrosses, and gulls on Isla de los Pájaros.

Is the catamaran comfortable for a long time on the water?

Yes. The boats are modern 2018–2019 models with air conditioning and onboard restrooms.

Is the port fee included in the price?

Yes. The port fee (USD 1 or ARS 400) is included.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Yes. Strollers are allowed, and all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, including the catamaran.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the dock?

Public transportation options are available nearby. Check locally for pickup details when you book.

What if I want to see King penguins?

King penguins are occasionally spotted on Martillo Island, but sightings are not guaranteed. Magellanic and Gentoo penguins are always present.

Can service animals come on the tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on board.