Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Catamaran & Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse

What you actually see on the water: seals, cormorants, and the lighthouse everyone photographs

You board a modern catamaran in Ushuaia and spend two to three hours on the Beagle Channel, stopping at a bird colony, a sea lion island, and the famous Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse with time to disembark and photograph it. Navigation and a guide are included, along with an onboard restroom and air conditioning. No separate arrangements needed. Just show up at the port.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran tour through Beagle Channel

• Navigate Beagle Channel waters
• See varied local flora and fauna
• Pass Isla de los Lobos sea lions
• Stop at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
• Take photo with lighthouse
• Observe Imperial and Rocky Cormorants
• Learn about SS Monte Cervantes shipwreck
• Disembark on Bridge Island
• Explore archaeological remains and nature

The experience

The boat operator at the Ushuaia port (a woman named Claudia who'd worked the Beagle Channel for fifteen years) told us to arrive early if we wanted a good spot on the catamaran's upper deck. She wasn't wrong. The modern fleet here runs 2018 and 2019 models, which means air conditioning below and real railings up top, not the older setups you hear about from travelers who came through five years ago. The catamaran leaves the dock and within minutes you're past the breakwater, and the water opens up in front of you: gray-green, cold-looking, with the Andes rising up on both sides of the channel.

The first real stop is the Island of the Birds, where you'll see skuas, black-browed albatrosses, steam ducks, and a dozen gull species working the rocks. The guide points them out as the boat idles, and you realize how much noise they make, not the romantic silence you might have imagined. Then you move on to Isla de los Lobos, where the sea lions are actually there, hauled out on the rocks, some of them one-haired, some two-haired, and they don't care that you're watching. The catamaran holds position long enough for photos, and people do take them, lots of them. After that comes the Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, the one everyone calls the Lighthouse at the End of the World, though that's technically not its real name. You'll disembark on one of the Bridge Islands for a closer look, and yes, this is where you get the photo. The lighthouse sits on a small rocky island, and the light is usually good in the afternoon. You'll also see imperial and rocky cormorants nesting on the cliffs, and the guide will mention the SS Monte Cervantes, a ship that wrecked here in the 1930s.

The whole thing runs about two to three hours on the water. There's a restroom onboard, which matters if you're prone to seasickness or just need one after coffee. The catamaran is wheelchair accessible, and infants can stay on an adult's lap. The tour is built for mixed groups, not just the hardcore hikers. You're navigating the same waters the Yámanas canoeists used centuries ago, which is the kind of detail that lands differently once you're actually out there, feeling the cold air and watching the light change on the water.

What’s included

Your tour includes navigation through the Beagle Channel with a guide, air-conditioned seating onboard, and access to the restroom. You'll stop at the Island of the Birds, Isla de los Lobos, and the Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, with time to disembark on one of the Bridge Islands for photos and to explore the archaeological remains and local flora.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 08:45 and 14:45, from US$ 75 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:45 and 14:45

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.3 with pickup ›

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Info de Ushuaia

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want the main Beagle Channel wildlife and the famous lighthouse without arranging your own boat: the catamaran runs on a fixed schedule and includes the guide, so you just show up at the port. Expect two to three hours on the water, which is what fits all three stops and the disembark time into one outing.

Traveler reviews

4.33★★★★★★★★★★

46 verified traveler reviews

5 ★32

4 ★6

3 ★3

2 ★1

1 ★4

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: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 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.

How long is the Beagle Channel catamaran tour?

Around two to three hours on the water, including stops at three main sites.

What wildlife will I see?

Seabirds including skuas, albatrosses, and gulls on Bird Island; one and two-haired sea lions on Isla de los Lobos; and imperial and rocky cormorants near the lighthouse.

Do I get to leave the boat?

Yes, you disembark on one of the Bridge Islands near the Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse to get closer photos and see the archaeological remains and flora there.

Is the catamaran modern?

The fleet consists of 2018 and 2019 models with air conditioning, restrooms onboard, and wheelchair accessibility.

What is included in the tour?

Navigation, guidance from the crew, air-conditioned cabin, and onboard restroom access.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

Yes, the catamaran and all areas onboard are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

Where does the tour depart from?

The Ushuaia port. Public transportation options are available nearby.