Beagle Channel Catamaran: Sea Lions, Lighthouse & Bridges

Sailing the Beagle Channel to see sea lions and a lighthouse built a century ago

You board a catamaran at Ushuaia's local port and spend two and a half hours on the Beagle Channel, stopping at sea lion colonies, a century-old lighthouse, and a guided walk on Bridges Island where you learn about the Yamana people and see their ancient shell middens. A professional guide narrates the wildlife and history, and the boat runs twice daily in both summer and winter schedules, with children under four riding free.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Beagle ChannelEntry included15m
2. Les Eclaireurs LighthouseEntry included15m

Beagle Channel navigation and island visits

• Depart from Ushuaia Bay port
• Visit Alicia's Island sea lion colony
• Observe royal and imperial cormorants
• Sail from Birds' Island to Sea Lions' Island
• See one and two hair sea lions
• Arrive at Les Eclaireurs lighthouse
• Disembark at Bridges Island for walk
• Learn about flora, birds, and Yamana history
• Return to Ushuaia with Martial Mountain views

The experience

There's something about the moment the catamaran pulls away from Ushuaia's dock that makes you forget you're at the bottom of the world. The water is cold and the light is strange (even in summer it feels like dusk), and then you round the first point and there they are: sea lions, dozens of them, hauled out on Alicia's Island. Your guide points out the difference between the one-haired and two-haired varieties as the boat cuts through the Beagle Channel, and you realize you're looking at something most people never will. The whole thing takes about two and a half hours, which is long enough to feel like a real journey but short enough that you're not exhausted by the time you're back on solid ground.

The route hits four main stops. After the sea lions, you pass Birds' Island, where royal and imperial cormorants nest in thick clusters on the rock face. The guide explains what you're seeing, and it matters because otherwise it's just birds. Then comes the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, a red and white structure built in 1929 that sits on its own small island and looks like something from a postcard, except you're actually there. On the way back, the boat pulls in at Bridges Island, where you get out and walk a path through the low scrub and wind. A local guide talks about the Yamana people, the Yaghan, who lived here for thousands of years, and you see the shell middens (concheros) they left behind. It's the kind of detail that sticks with you: people lived here, and you can still see the trace of their meals.

Two departures run every day: 9:30am and 4pm in summer (October to April), 10am and 3pm in winter. The boat is a catamaran, so it's stable even when the channel gets choppy, and the professional guide speaks English and knows the wildlife. Kids under four don't pay. The dock fee isn't included in the tour price, but it's small and you pay it when you arrive. Bring a jacket even if it looks sunny. The wind off the water is real, and you'll be on deck for most of the two and a half hours.

What’s included

Your tour includes a professional guide, catamaran passage through the Beagle Channel, visits to sea lion and bird colonies, the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and a guided walk on Bridges Island where a local guide interprets the flora, fauna, and history of the Yamana people. Children under four ride free.

Options for this experience

2 options

Without TransfersGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30 and 15:30Sea Lions sailing without transfer: This option does NOT include transfers to the dock. You must arrive 30 minutes early at Canoero's office, at the tourist dock.

With TransfersGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30 and 15:30Sea Lions sailing with transfer: This option includes a transfer from hotel to tourist dock and back to hotel. Pickup is 45 minutes before the navigation departure. Pickup is included.

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

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs every day at 09:30 and 15:30, from US$ 107.15 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 15:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to12h before

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

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 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by All Patagonia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Ushuaia's wildlife and landscape without arranging your own boat or guide: the fixed schedule and two daily departures mean you can fit it around other plans, and the walk on Bridges Island is the part that makes the history real instead of just something you read about.

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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 time does the Beagle Channel boat tour leave Ushuaia?

Two departures daily: 9:30am and 4pm (October–April), or 10am and 3pm (May–September).

How long is the Beagle Channel navigation?

Approximately two hours and thirty minutes.

What islands do you visit on this tour?

Alicia's Island (sea lions), Birds' Island (cormorants), Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Bridges Island (guided walk with Yamana history).

Is the Beagle Channel tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Public transportation is available near the dock.

What should I bring on the Beagle Channel boat tour?

A warm jacket and wind-resistant clothing. The water is cold and the wind is strong, even on sunny days.

Is the dock fee included in the tour price?

No, the tourist dock rate is paid separately when you arrive at the port.

Can you see sea lions on the Beagle Channel tour?

Yes. You visit Alicia's Island and De los Lobos Island, both home to sea lion colonies with one-haired and two-haired varieties.