Beagle Channel cruise: seals, penguins & lighthouse from Ushuaia

Sea lions, cormorants, penguins and a shipwreck in one afternoon on the water

This Beagle Channel cruise departs from Ushuaia's Tourist Pier and sails southwest past sea lion colonies, seabird islands and a 1930 shipwreck to reach Martillo Island, where Magellanic penguins nest and swim near the boat. A bilingual guide in Spanish and English narrates the full 5.5-hour route aboard a heated catamaran with onboard bathrooms. The itinerary and timing shift based on weather and the captain's assessment, and the boat stays near Martillo Island long enough for photographs.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cruise through Beagle Channel islands

• Depart from Ushuaia Tourist Pier
• Enjoy panoramic Ushuaia coast views
• Approach Los Lobos Island to see sea lions
• Visit Los Pájaros Island for marine birds
• See Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and shipwreck remains
• Cross Beagle Channel viewing Gable Island and Puerto Williams
• Observe Magellanic penguins at Martillo Island
• Return to Ushuaia passing Estancias Túnel and Fique

The Experience

The cruise leaves Ushuaia's Tourist Pier heading into the Beagle Channel, and the first stop is the coast itself—you pass the Maritime Museum (the former prison), the End of the World Museum, and Mount Olivia as the boat heads southwest. Within the first hour you reach Los Lobos Island, where sea lions rest in their permanent habitat and stay visible from the deck. The route then turns toward Los Pájaros Island, home to Magellanic and Imperial cormorants that nest on the rocky outcrops.

The boat continues to Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, standing in its own small archipelago. On the islets nearby sit the remains of the Monte Cervantes, a ship that sank in 1930—the wreck is visible from the water and marks a turning point in the day. From there the catamaran crosses the Beagle Channel north to south, passing Gable Island and the Puerto Williams Naval Base on the Chilean side before the final approach to Martillo Island. This is where the penguins are: a colony of Magellanic penguins that nest during the summer months, and they swim under and around the boat with enough curiosity that they surface repeatedly for photographs. The boat stays at Martillo long enough to watch them, then returns to Ushuaia, passing Estancias Túnel and Fique on the way back to the pier.

The catamaran has heating and bathrooms onboard, and the boat is wheelchair accessible with ramps at the pier and adapted restrooms. A bilingual guide in Spanish and English provides commentary throughout. Bring a waterproof jacket, hat and gloves—in summer, add sunglasses and sunscreen. Weather and sea conditions can shift the timing and the order of stops, and the captain makes the final call on what the day includes.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in Spanish and English.
• port fee.
• heated catamaran with bathrooms and wheelchair accessibility.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line Argentina

Is this one for you?The guide speaks both Spanish and English throughout the cruise, so you follow the commentary comfortably in whichever language you prefer. The boat's heating and onboard bathrooms make the 5.5-hour afternoon on the water manageable for families and anyone who needs accessible facilities.

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Top questions

What animals will I actually see on this Beagle Channel cruise?

Sea lions rest on Los Lobos Island, Magellanic and Imperial cormorants nest on Los Pájaros Island, and Magellanic penguins swim and nest on Martillo Island during the summer months. You also pass the remains of the Monte Cervantes shipwreck near Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse.

How long does the cruise take and when does it depart?

The cruise runs 5.5 hours total and departs from Ushuaia's Tourist Pier. The exact departure time and the order of stops may shift depending on weather conditions and the captain's assessment of sea conditions.

Is the boat comfortable for a full afternoon on the water?

The catamaran has heating throughout and bathrooms onboard, so you can stay warm and have access to facilities during the 5.5-hour route. The boat is also wheelchair accessible with ramps at the pier and adapted restrooms.

What should I bring for this cruise?

Bring a waterproof jacket, hat and gloves—the Beagle Channel is cold and exposed. In summer months, add sunglasses and sunscreen. The boat has heating, but layers and wind protection make the difference between comfort and being cold for five hours.

Does the guide speak English?

Yes, the guide is bilingual in Spanish and English and provides commentary throughout the cruise.

Will we land on any of the islands?

The boat stays on the water for all stops. At Martillo Island, the catamaran approaches the beach close enough to watch the penguins swim near and under the boat, but you do not disembark.