Beagle Channel Wildlife Cruise: Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse

Sail past cormorants and sea lions to the most photographed lighthouse in Patagonia

A three-hour guided cruise on the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia takes you to Seabird Island to watch cormorants and gulls, then Sea Lion Island where animals rest meters from the boat, and finally to the iconic Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse: a red-and-white structure 5 nautical miles offshore. The tour ends with a landing on Bridges Island and a short walk to a viewpoint overlooking the city, mountains and channel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Beagle Channel wildlife and lighthouse tour

• Stop at Isla de los Pájaros
• View Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse
• Visit Bridges Islands and walk viewpoint

The experience

Three hours on the water means you cover the Beagle Channel's main wildlife stops without the fatigue of a full-day expedition. The boat passes Seabird Island first, where imperial cormorants, black-necked cormorants, southern gulls and skuas fill the rocky outcrops. On occasion Magellanic penguins appear in the nearby waters. Sea Lion Island comes next: the animals haul out on the rocks close enough that you can photograph them without a telephoto lens.

Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse is the centerpiece. Inaugurated in 1920 and still automated today, the red-and-white tower sits on a small rocky archipelago 5 nautical miles from Ushuaia and has become the most photographed landmark in Tierra del Fuego. Its French name means "The Explorers." The boat positions you to frame it against the Fuegian landscape before moving on to Bridges Island, where you disembark for a short walk to a natural viewpoint that holds the city, mountains and canal in a single image.

A live guide in English or Spanish narrates the route and identifies the wildlife as it appears. Insurance is included. Bring layers for wind and water spray, and note that the boat's motion means this tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Spanish.
• insurance.
• access to all stops on the Beagle Channel including Seabird Island, Sea Lion Island and Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse.
• landing and short walk on Bridges Island.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30, 15:00 and 15:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 50

Live 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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ni Lo Pienses Tour

Is this one for you?Small groups share the boat, so you travel with other travelers rather than as a private party. The three-hour window fits a half-day itinerary in Ushuaia without eating into a full day of other activities.

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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 (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What birds and animals will I see on the Beagle Channel cruise?

Seabird Island hosts imperial cormorants, black-necked cormorants, southern gulls, kelp gulls and skuas. Magellanic penguins sometimes appear in the waters nearby. Sea Lion Island is where sea lions rest on the rocks, visible from just meters away.

How close does the boat get to Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse?

The lighthouse sits on a small rocky archipelago 5 nautical miles from Ushuaia, and the boat positions itself to give you a clear view of the red-and-white tower against the landscape for photography.

What happens at Bridges Island?

Bridges Island is where you land and take a short walk to a natural viewpoint overlooking the city, mountains and Beagle Channel: the final stop before returning to Ushuaia.

Is this tour suitable for someone who gets seasick easily?

The Beagle Channel can have wind and water spray, and the boat's motion is part of the experience. If you are prone to seasickness, bring medication and sit on deck where the horizon is visible. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels otherwise.

What should I bring on the cruise?

Layers and a windproof jacket are essential. The channel is exposed and cold even in summer. Bring a camera with a good zoom if you want to photograph sea lions and seabirds. Sunscreen and a hat also help, as there is little shelter on deck.