Beagle Channel tour to penguin islands: Sea lions and lighthouse

Watch Magellanic penguins from the boat on Hammer Island

A 5.5-hour catamaran tour of the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia explores three stops: Wolves and Birds Islands for sea lions and cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse near where a ship sank in 1930, and Hammer Island for close views of Magellanic and Papuan penguins in their habitat. A live guide narrates in English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Beagle Channel nature and wildlife tour

• Visit Island of Birds and Sea Lions
• See Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
• Observe penguins at Isla Martillo

The experience

How do you see penguins and sea lions without leaving the boat? The Beagle Channel tour circles each stop several times so you can photograph wildlife from the deck. Wolves and Birds Islands come first, where two species of sea lion haul out on the rocks and Magellanic and Imperial cormorants nest in colonies. The catamaran holds position long enough to watch them move, not just snap a single frame.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse sits in an archipelago near the wreck of the Monte Cervantes, which sank in 1930. The boat circles the lighthouse so you see it from different angles, and the guide explains what you're looking at. Then comes Hammer Island and the penguins: Magellanic and Papuan species that nest there. You stay on the boat and observe them in their own space, which is the point: the tour respects the animals' living area while giving you a clear view.

The tour runs 5.5 hours total and includes all fees and taxes. A live guide speaks English or Spanish throughout. The catamaran is wheelchair accessible, and the pace suits all fitness levels, though the operator notes it's not recommended if you get dizzy on the water. Infants can ride in a stroller or sit on an adult's lap.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes are included.
• a live guide in English or Spanish narrates the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 150

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio guideEnglish and Spanish

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TOLKEYEN PATAGONIA TURISMO

Is this one for you?The tour works best for small groups or families who want to watch wildlife without hiking or leaving the boat. The fixed stops and circling pace let you photograph penguins and sea lions at your own pace while the guide handles the route and the history.

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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 (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.

What animals will I actually see on the Beagle Channel tour?

Wolves and Birds Islands hold two species of sea lion and both Magellanic and Imperial cormorants. Hammer Island is home to Magellanic penguins and Papuan penguins, which you observe from the boat in their natural habitat.

Why does the catamaran circle each stop multiple times?

The boat circles so you can photograph wildlife from different angles and watch the animals move, rather than passing each site once. It gives you time to see behavior and capture images without rushing.

What is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and why is it on this tour?

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is a historical landmark in the archipelago near where the ship Monte Cervantes sank in 1930. The catamaran circles it so you see the lighthouse from the water and learn its story from the guide.

Is this tour safe if I get motion sickness on boats?

The operator notes the tour is not recommended for people who suffer dizziness when sailing. If you're prone to seasickness, you may want to take precautions or consider a different activity.