Martillo Island Penguin Colony Boat Tour: Beagle Channel

A catamaran ride to one of the world's largest penguin colonies, with cormorants and sea lions along the way

A 5-hour boat tour from Ushuaia navigates the Beagle Channel to Martillo Island, where you watch a Magellanic penguin colony from the catamaran, accompanied by a professional local guide. The route also passes Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, sea lion colonies, and bird islands, with views of the city's mountain backdrop and the channel's landscape. A live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese is included. You choose morning or afternoon departure at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Beagle Channel1h
2. Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse1h
3. Martillo Island1h · entry included

Boat trip to Penguin Colony and Beagle Channel

• Start at Canoeros box office
• Board the catamaran
• View Ushuaia city and mountains
• Sail around Isla de los Pájaros and Isla de los Lobos
• Visit Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
• Navigate east along Beagle Channel
• Observe Magellanic Penguins at Martillo Island
• Enjoy mountain range views of Ushuaia

The experience

The catamaran departs from the Touristic Port of Ushuaia, where you board at the Canoeros box office. As the boat moves into the Beagle Channel, the city recedes and the landscape opens: Montes Olivia and the Cinco Hermanos peaks rise above the water, with the Encajonado River visible from the channel. The guide points out the geography and the estancias that shaped this corner of Patagonia.

The route passes two smaller islands first. At Isla de los Pájaros, you watch for Skuas, Black-browed Albatrosses, Steam Ducks and seagulls. At Isla de los Lobos, sea lions with one and two hairs haul out on the rocks. Then the catamaran reaches Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, where Imperial and Rocky Cormorants nest on the rocks, and the guide shares the story of the SS Monte Cervantes, a ship that wrecked here in 1930. From this point, you can see across the channel to Puerto Williams on the Chilean coast and Puerto Almanza on the Argentine side.

The final stretch heads east toward Martillo Island, where a colony of Magellanic penguins nests during the summer season. You observe them from the catamaran. The guide explains their behavior and social structure, and you get as close as the boat allows without landing on the island. The return journey gives you a final view of Ushuaia's mountain range and the channel's scale before you dock back at the port.

What’s included

• A professional local guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• 5 hours of catamaran navigation on the Beagle Channel.
• boarding tax fee.
• and an air-conditioned cabin for the journey.

Options for this experience

2 options

Afternoon option for the Penguin ColonyGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 15:00Check-in between 2:00 and 2:15 pm

Morning option for the Penguin ColonyGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 09:00Check-in between 8:00 and 8:15 am

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00Last departure this season: 31 Mar 2027

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

GroupUp to 120

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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 effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want the penguin colony and lighthouse before the afternoon light shifts, or the afternoon option if you prefer to start your day elsewhere in Ushuaia. Either way, the fixed schedule and included guide mean the route, timing and stops are arranged. You show up at the port and the day unfolds without you building it.

Traveler reviews

4.25★★★★★★★★★★

115 verified traveler reviews

5 ★73

4 ★16

3 ★14

2 ★6

1 ★6

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

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 penguins will I see on this boat tour from Ushuaia?

Magellanic penguins nest on Martillo Island during the summer season, and you watch the colony from the catamaran. The tour also passes bird and sea lion islands where you see other seabirds including albatrosses, skuas and cormorants.

Can I walk on Martillo Island or get close to the penguins?

The tour does not include walking on the island. You observe the penguin colony from the catamaran, which allows you to see them without disturbing the nesting birds.

What else does the Beagle Channel route show besides the penguins?

The catamaran passes Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, where you see cormorant colonies and hear the history of a 1930 shipwreck; Isla de los Pájaros with seabirds; Isla de los Lobos with sea lions; and views of Ushuaia's mountains, including Montes Olivia and the Cinco Hermanos peaks.

Do I need to bring food or drinks on the boat?

External food and drinks are not permitted on the catamaran for health reasons. Plan to purchase any refreshments before boarding or after the tour ends.