Ushuaia: Beagle Channel boat tour with sea lions & landing

Summary

Sea lions, wild islands & the lighthouse—sailing Ushuaia’s Beagle Channel

You’ll sail from Ushuaia into the wild Beagle Channel by catamaran, spotting sea lions on Alicia’s Island, cormorants on Bird Island, and pausing at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse for photos. Walk with a local guide on Bridges Island to learn about Yamana history and see ancient shell mounds—an experience you’ll remember every time you hear seabirds cry.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the cold air biting my cheeks as we pulled away from Ushuaia’s dock. The water in the Beagle Channel looked almost metallic under that weird southern light—kind of blue, kind of silver. Our guide, Martín, waved us to the front of the catamaran just as we passed Alicia’s Island. Suddenly there were sea lions everywhere—some flopped over each other like lazy dogs, others barking at us (or maybe at nothing). I tried to take a photo but mostly ended up laughing because my fingers were too numb.

We drifted past Bird Island next—so many cormorants it looked like the rocks had grown feathers. Someone near me whispered about albatrosses and sure enough, Martín pointed out one gliding low over the channel. He told us about “one-hair” and “two-hair” sea lions (I still don’t totally get it), and then we all craned our necks for Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. It’s smaller than I expected but somehow more dramatic in person—red and white stripes against all that gray water. You can’t land there but everyone wanted their photo anyway.

The best part for me was getting off at Bridges Island. The wind smelled faintly of salt and something earthy—maybe moss? We followed Martín along a narrow path while he explained how the Yamana people used to live here, showing us these ancient shell mounds (“concheros,” he called them). I tried to imagine what it felt like to be here before any boats or cameras or even jackets existed. There were skuas overhead and tiny flowers poking through the grass. On the way back toward Ushuaia, someone pointed out Martial Mountain behind us—the clouds had finally lifted so you could see its snowy top. I kept thinking about those sea lions piled together in the cold.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Beagle Channel Navigation and Island Visits

• Depart Ushuaia Bay, sail to Alicia's Island
• Visit De los Pájaros Island, see cormorants
• Sail to De los Lobos Island, observe sea lions
• Arrive at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
• Disembark at Bridges Island, walk and interpret flora and fauna
• Return to Ushuaia, view Martial Mountain landscapes

Top questions

How long does the Beagle Channel boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Are there daily departures for this boat tour?

Yes, there are two daily departures: morning and afternoon.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

No, pickup is not included; tours depart from Ushuaia's port.

Is this Beagle Channel tour suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome; kids under 4 years old join free with an adult.

Do you land anywhere during the tour?

Yes, there's a landing on Bridges Island for a guided walk.

What wildlife can you see on this day trip?

You may see sea lions, cormorants, skuas, albatrosses, steam ducks, cauquenes birds, and seagulls.

Is this boat tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your day includes navigation by catamaran through the Beagle Channel with a professional local guide onboard; stops at Alicia’s Island for sea lion watching; Bird Island for birdlife; views of Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse; plus a guided landing on Bridges Island to explore flora, fauna, and Yamana history before returning to Ushuaia’s port.