Beagle Channel: Small-Group Yacht Tour & Minitrek Ushuaia

Summary

Wildlife, lighthouse stories and Yámana history on the Beagle Channel

You’ll board a small yacht in Ushuaia for up-close views of cormorants and sea lions along the Beagle Channel, hear stories at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and walk among ancient Yámana shell mounds on Bridges Island with your local guide. Expect wild weather, laughter over hot drinks, and moments that linger long after you’re back ashore.

What’s the experience like?

You step off the dock in Ushuaia and there’s this cold, salty wind that hits your face right away — sharper than I expected, but it wakes you up. Our group was small, maybe 15 or so, everyone shuffling around with hats pulled low. The boat (ours was called KAMS) felt sturdy but not fancy, which I liked. As we drifted out into the Beagle Channel, our guide switched between Spanish and English so everyone could follow. She pointed at these black-and-white birds crowding Isla de Pájaros — cormorants, apparently — and I swear their calls cut through everything else for a second. You could smell the seaweed when the breeze shifted.

We got ridiculously close to Isla de Lobos; sea lions everywhere, some barking like they were arguing about breakfast. One of them just stared back at us for ages while I tried (and failed) to get a photo without my fingers in the shot. The Beagle Channel feels huge from that low on the water — it’s hard to explain unless you’re there. And then suddenly there’s Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse looking kind of lonely out on its rock. Our guide told this story about shipwrecks and why it’s called “the lighthouse at the end of the world.” I didn’t expect to feel anything about a lighthouse but… yeah.

Later we landed on Bridges Island for what they called a “minitrekking.” It’s not really hiking — more like wandering along a muddy path while our guide pointed out weird little plants (one looked like red moss but apparently isn’t). She talked about the Yámana people who used to live here, showing us these ancient shell mounds by the path. There was this moment where everyone just went quiet at the lookout point — city behind us, channel stretching out forever ahead. Someone handed me hot chocolate from a thermos and it tasted way better than it had any right to be after all that wind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Beagle Channel navigation and minitrekking

• Visit Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
• Navigate Beagle Channel islands
• Observe marine fauna and birds
• Disembark at Bridges Island
• Mini trekking with flora and fauna
• Learn Yámanas history
• Visit panoramic viewpoint

Top questions

How many people are on each Beagle Channel tour?

The group size is up to 25 passengers per yacht.

Is there food included on this Beagle Channel day trip?

No meals are provided, but coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are served onboard.

Do guides speak English during the tour?

Yes, guides speak both Spanish and English throughout the tour.

What wildlife can I see during this Ushuaia boat trip?

You’ll see cormorants on Isla de Pájaros and sea lions on Isla de Lobos.

Is there any walking or trekking involved?

Yes, there’s a short guided minitrek on Bridges Island with stops for nature interpretation.

Are infants or children allowed on this Beagle Channel cruise?

Yes, infants can join if seated on an adult’s lap or in a stroller/pram.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet at the dock in Ushuaia.

Can travelers with reduced mobility join this trip?

This tour is not recommended for those with reduced mobility issues.

What’s included

Your day includes navigation aboard a 15-meter yacht with professional bilingual guides sharing stories along the way; close-up stops at Isla Alicia, Isla de Pájaros, Isla de Lobos for wildlife watching; coffee, tea or hot chocolate served onboard; landing at Bridges Island for a guided walk exploring local flora and ancient Yámana sites before returning to Ushuaia by boat.