Beagle Channel Yacht Sailing: Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse & Islands

Sail close to three islands and a working lighthouse, then walk an interpretation trail through Yámanas history

A private yacht tour of the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia visits Isla Alicia, Isla de Pájaros and Isla de Lobos for close sightings of marine wildlife and seabirds, passes Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse built in 1919, and ends with a guided walk on Bridges Island through anthropogenic shell middens and a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the channel. A live guide narrates the route in English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse20m
2. Beagle Channel4h

Private yacht tour on Beagle Channel

• Visit Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
• Observe marine fauna and birds on islands
• Mini trekking on Bridges Island
• Learn about Yámanas history and flora
• Enjoy panoramic view of Beagle Channel

The experience

Four hours on a 15-meter yacht built for close approaches to the islands means you see the wildlife and bird colonies without the distance. The boat holds up to 26 passengers, so the group stays small enough that the guide can point out details as they appear: the seals on the rocks, the cormorants nesting on the cliffs, the penguins moving through the water. Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, built in 1919, sits on its own small island. The yacht passes near enough that the guide can tell you why it became the symbol of Ushuaia and what kept the lighthouse keepers there.

After the islands, you disembark on Bridges Island for a short walk with the guide through the flora and along a marked path. The trail passes the largest anthropogenic Yámanas shell middens in the region (the accumulated shells from centuries of settlement), and ends at a panoramic point where you can see the full width of the Beagle Channel with Ushuaia across the water. The guide explains the history of the Yámanas people who lived here before European arrival.

Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are served on board. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and small children sit on an adult's lap. The walk on Bridges Island is short but involves uneven ground, so it is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

What’s included

• Coffee, tea and hot chocolate served on board.
• a guided walk on Bridges Island with interpretation of Yámanas history and flora.
• close passage of Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse with historical narration.
• sightings of marine wildlife and seabirds at three islands.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 15:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Patagonia Explorer

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private yacht for your group: the twin 15-meter boats hold up to 26 people, letting you navigate the Beagle Channel together rather than joining a larger shared tour.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 wildlife will I see on the Beagle Channel tour?

The yacht passes Isla Alicia, Isla de Pájaros and Isla de Lobos, where you see seals, sea lions, cormorants, penguins and other seabirds nesting and moving through the water. The close approach of the 15-meter yacht lets you watch them without scaring them away.

What is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and why does the tour stop there?

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse was built in 1919 on a small island in the Beagle Channel and became an emblem of Ushuaia. The yacht passes close enough for the guide to tell you its history and point out the structure from the water.

What happens on Bridges Island?

You disembark and walk a marked interpretation trail with the guide. The path passes through the largest Yámanas shell middens in the region and ends at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia in the distance. The guide explains the history of the Yámanas people who lived on these islands.

How long is the walk on Bridges Island?

The walk is short and part of a four-hour tour that includes sailing time to and from the islands. The path is uneven in places, so wear sturdy shoes.

Can I bring young children on this tour?

Yes. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller on the yacht, and small children sit on an adult's lap during sailing. The walk on Bridges Island involves uneven ground, so it is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.