Penguin Watching Tour Ushuaia: Isla Martillo & Centolla Route

Sail to Isla Martillo and watch Magellanic penguins from a zodiac in the Beagle Channel

A guided penguin watching tour from Ushuaia takes you by road through Fueguino valleys and coastal forests to Puerto Almanza, where you board a zodiac for the Beagle Channel. The boat carries you to Isla Martillo, home to Magellanic and Papuan penguin colonies, for close observation in their natural habitat. You return to the village for lunch at a fisherman's restaurant featuring fresh regional produce, with a stop at Laguna Victoria's peatlands on the way back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Penguin watching and coastal exploration

• Drive along National Route No. 3
• Stop at Laguna Victoria for nature visit
• Continue on Provincial Route J to Puerto Almanza
• Walk through Puerto Almanza village
• Board zodiac at Puerto Almanza pier
• Sail Beagle Channel to Isla Martillo
• Observe Magellanic and Papuan penguins
• Return to Puerto Almanza
• Enjoy lunch at local fisherman’s restaurant
• Return to Ushuaia city

The experience

Your day starts with a drive south on National Route No. 3 through the Fueguino valleys, then Provincial Route J winds through centuries-old forests toward the coast. Along the way you pass mussel cultivation areas and centolla traps, the "red gold" of local fishing, before reaching Puerto Almanza, a small coastal town where the zodiac waits at the dock.

The zodiac carries you for roughly an hour and a half across the Beagle Channel to Isla Martillo, where Magellanic and Papuan penguins live in colonies. The boat's proximity to the shore lets you watch the birds move along the beach and dive into the water in their natural, wild environment: closer than you'd get from a larger vessel. A professional guide narrates the wildlife and the channel's ecology throughout the crossing and your time on the island.

After the zodiac returns to Puerto Almanza, you walk the village's single street and sit down at a local fisherman's restaurant for lunch built around fresh produce from the region: the Beagle's seafood and what the valleys grow. On the return journey, you stop at Laguna Victoria, a peatland lagoon ringed by mountains and forest, where the guide explains the ecosystem's role in the region before you head back to Ushuaia.

What’s included

• Professional tour guide in English or Spanish throughout the day.
• lunch at a fisherman's restaurant with fresh regional produce and a choice of beverages.
• zodiac transport on the Beagle Channel to Isla Martillo.
• hotel pickup from Ushuaia.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Explore Tierra del Fuego

Is this one for you?Small groups keep the zodiac intimate and let you move closer to the penguins than larger tour boats allow, making this choice better for travelers who want a more direct view of the wildlife and a quieter experience on the water. The eight-hour day suits a full morning and afternoon but means an early start from your hotel.

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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). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What penguins will I see on Isla Martillo?

Isla Martillo is home to colonies of Magellanic and Papuan penguins. You observe them from the zodiac and from the island itself, watching them move along the beach and swim in the water in their natural habitat.

How close does the zodiac get to the penguins?

The zodiac's small size and shallow draft let you approach the coastline much closer than larger boats can, giving you exceptional views of the birds and more time to watch their behavior without disturbing them.

What is the Centolla Route and what will I see along it?

The Centolla Route follows the Beagle Channel's working waterfront, where you pass mussel cultivation buoys, active fishing boats, and centolla traps: the red king crab pots that locals call "red gold." The route showcases the region's marine production before you reach Puerto Almanza.

What kind of lunch is included, and are there options for different diets?

Lunch is served at a local fisherman's restaurant and features fresh produce from the region, including seafood from the Beagle Channel. Vegetarian options are available. Ask when you book if you have dietary needs.

What is Laguna Victoria and why do we stop there?

Laguna Victoria is a peatland lagoon surrounded by mountains and Fueguino forests, with distinctive dark water. The stop gives you a moment to experience the landscape and learn from your guide about the peatland ecosystem and its environmental importance to the region.