Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

The best part of this Beagle Channel cruise is the steady parade of wildlife and landmarks: sea lions sprawled on rocky islands, cormorants packed onto Bird Island, the famous Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and penguins along Martillo Island. You stay aboard the catamaran, but the boat gets close enough for good views and photographs.

I like the comfortable boat and bilingual guide, especially when the captain slows down for wildlife instead of rushing past it. I also like the range of scenery, from Ushuaia’s waterfront and mountain views to Chilean territory across the channel. The catch is simple: this is a long boat ride, and the penguin viewing can feel crowded at the best photo spots.

Key points

• Penguins from the water: See Magellanic and Gentoo penguins on Martillo Island during the summer nesting season, without leaving the catamaran.
• A full Beagle Channel circuit: The route includes Sea Lion Island, Bird Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Estancia Remolino, Gable Island, and views of Puerto Williams.
• Comfortable onboard setup: The vessel has indoor seating, outdoor viewing decks, bathrooms, and a café for drinks and snacks.
• Wildlife beyond penguins: Sea lions, Imperial Cormorants, Magellanic Cormorants, and possibly whales or dolphins may appear.
• Plan for changing conditions: The boat may be different from the one pictured, and weather or port closures can cancel the sailing.
• Good value for a long outing: At $92 per person, the price is reasonable for a 330-minute cruise, but less attractive if you want time on land or a short, focused wildlife trip.

Why Martillo Island is worth the long ride

Penguins are the headline act here, and rightly so. Martillo Island is home to Magellanic and Gentoo penguins during the summer nesting season. From the catamaran, you can watch them along the shore, often at close range, while the crew positions the boat so people on different decks get a view.

The important detail is that you do not get off on Martillo Island. This is a boat-based visit, not a walking penguin tour. That makes the outing easier for anyone who prefers to avoid a shore landing, but it also limits the time and angles you have for photographs.

The catamaran usually follows the island’s coastline rather than making one quick stop and turning away. That helps, especially if you are not standing at the bow when the boat arrives. Still, the front can become crowded. A few people may hold the best position for much of the viewing time, so use the upper deck or move around early rather than waiting until the last minute.

The penguins are not the only reason to go. You get a broad sense of the Beagle Channel, with its cold water, low islands, distant mountains, and changing weather. I would choose this cruise if you want both wildlife and scenery. If penguins are your only goal, compare it with a shorter outing or a tour that includes time on land.

Leaving Ushuaia’s pier with the city behind you

The tour begins at the tourist pier in Ushuaia. Departure is scheduled for 3 p.m., and you must report to the Tolkeyen Patagonia Turismo office, the blue house at the pier, 30 minutes before departure.

As the boat pulls away, look back at the city. You will see the Maritime Museum, the End of the World Museum, the industrial area, and the slopes around Mount Olivia and Mount Cinco Hermanos. This opening stretch gives you a useful orientation to Ushuaia from the water.

The city quickly becomes a narrow strip beneath the mountains. That view is one of the pleasures of the trip, even before the wildlife appears. I suggest taking a few photographs early, then finding a place where you can sit. The cruise lasts 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours, and the return can feel long if you spend every minute standing outside.

The boat has indoor seating and outdoor decks. One useful practical point comes from the cold: the lower floor can feel especially chilly, so bring warm clothing even on a sunny day. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and proper outdoor clothing all belong in your day bag.

Sea Lion Island and Bird Island

The first major wildlife stop is Sea Lion Island. The boat pauses near the rocks so you can watch sea lions resting and interacting. You will not walk among them, which keeps the viewing simple and gives you a wide view of the animals on the island.

Sea lions are often easier to watch than fast-moving birds. Look for movement between the animals, changes in posture, and the way they gather along the rocks. The crew may adjust the boat so people on different sides have a chance to see.

Next comes Bird Island, where Magellanic Cormorants and Imperial Cormorants gather. From a distance, cormorants can be confused with penguins, especially when they stand upright on the rocks. They are birds of flight, though, and their shapes and behavior become clearer through binoculars or a camera with a good zoom.

This stop adds useful variety. You are not simply sailing toward one penguin colony. The route shows how many kinds of marine life use the Beagle Channel, from sea lions on the rocks to seabirds packed onto narrow islands.

The captain may slow down or change the timing when wildlife appears. On some departures, passengers have also seen humpback whales or dolphins. These sightings are not part of the guaranteed itinerary, but the crew may pause if something large appears nearby. That flexibility is a real benefit, though it can also change how much time remains at later stops.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and two shipwreck stories

The familiar red-and-white Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is one of Ushuaia’s best-known sights. It sits in the Les Eclaireurs archipelago, and the boat approaches closely enough for clear photographs.

Many people call it the Lighthouse at the End of the World, though that nickname can cause confusion with the lighthouse in Jules Verne’s story. The more useful point for this tour is the setting: a small lighthouse surrounded by cold water, islands, and mountain views.

The guide also provides historical context about the area. The Mount Cervantes vessel wrecked in the archipelago in 1930. Later, along the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, you will pass Estancia Remolino, associated with the Mount Sarmiento, which ran aground there.

These details give the cruise more substance than a simple photo stop. The guide speaks in English and Spanish, but announcements may not always be easy to hear from every seat. One practical choice is to stay near a working speaker or step outside when the guide begins an explanation.

The best viewing point can become busy here too. On some boats, onboard photographers work at the front and sell photographs for about $50. That service is optional, but it can occupy part of the prime viewing area. If you want your own pictures, arrive at the bow before the boat reaches a major stop and be prepared to share the space.

Crossing toward Chile and Gable Island

After the lighthouse, the route follows the southern coast of Tierra del Fuego and crosses the Beagle Channel from north to south. You will see Estancia Remolino, Gable Island, and the Puerto Williams Navy Base on Navarino Island, which belongs to Chile.

This is the section where the trip feels most like a geographic journey rather than a series of wildlife stops. The channel separates Argentina and Chile, and the boat gives you a clear sense of how close the two countries are at the far southern end of South America.

Gable Island adds another quiet coastal view, while Puerto Williams provides a glimpse of Chilean territory across the water. Do not expect a visit ashore. These are passing views from the boat, valuable for the scale and setting rather than for detailed sightseeing.

The crossing can be calm, but conditions change quickly in Tierra del Fuego. One departure may be smooth, while another may include a rough return. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you can see the horizon and keep your medication or other usual precautions close at hand. The boat has indoor areas, but the ride is still a long one.

The Martillo Island penguin viewing

When the catamaran reaches Martillo Island, the crew follows the shoreline so you can see the nesting penguins. The two species named for this experience are Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. They share the island during the summer season, giving you the chance to compare their size, coloring, and behavior.

This is the emotional high point of the cruise. The boat can approach close to the colony, and the crew generally gives you time to take pictures rather than making a quick pass. Stay alert for movement along the shore because the penguins may appear in separate groups.

Because there is no island landing, you will see the colony from the boat’s decks and windows. The upper outdoor deck usually offers a wider view, while the lower level may give you shelter from wind. I would move between the two instead of committing to one place for the entire stop.

Crowding is the main weakness. People naturally gather at the front, and some may remain there for the full viewing period. If the crew asks everyone to keep moving but does not actively rotate people, you may need to politely shift position yourself. The penguins remain visible from the side of the boat, so a blocked bow does not ruin the experience, but it can affect your best photographs.

The return past Estancia Tunnel and Fique

After Martillo Island, the boat turns back toward Ushuaia. The return route passes Estancia Tunnel and Estancia Fique, two more coastal points connected with the historic ranching and settlement pattern around the channel.

The ride back is not packed with major stops. That can feel restful after the wildlife viewing, but it is also where the five-and-a-half-hour schedule becomes noticeable. If you want a quick excursion, this is not the right format. You are paying for a broad water route and a full afternoon, not nonstop activity.

Keep watching the water on the return. Dolphins or whales may appear, and the captain may slow down if conditions allow. A captain who changes course for wildlife can turn a routine return into a memorable extra, but sightings remain a matter of nature and luck.

There is a café onboard, along with bathrooms, but food and drinks are not included in the $92 price. Bring money for the café or pack what the operator allows. Since there is no transfer to the pier, you also need to make your own way to Ushuaia’s tourist dock.

Is $92 a fair price?

At $92 per person, this is not a budget boat ride, but the cost is reasonable for a 330-minute catamaran cruise with a guide, several wildlife areas, a lighthouse, international views, and penguin viewing. The comfortable boat and the chance to see sea lions, cormorants, and penguins in one outing improve the value.

The price feels less attractive if you expect a meal, a landing on Martillo Island, or a small private boat. Food and drinks cost extra, and the vessel type can vary according to the company’s operations. Some departures may feel more spacious than others.

I would compare this tour based on what you want from the day. It is a strong choice for a first visit to Ushuaia when you want a wide introduction to the Beagle Channel. It is a weaker choice if you dislike long boat rides or want several hours on land with penguins.

Comfort, access, and what to pack

The catamaran is described as clean, modern, and spacious, with seating upstairs and downstairs, outdoor viewing areas, bathrooms, and a café. It is wheelchair accessible, though the exact vessel can vary, so confirm any mobility needs before departure.

The live guide speaks English and Spanish. Explanations cover the sights, wildlife, and local history, but sound quality may differ by seating area. If hearing the commentary matters to you, sit near a speaker and ask the crew where announcements are clearest.

Bring:

• Warm layers and outdoor clothing
• Comfortable shoes
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• A camera with extra battery power
• Seasickness supplies if you normally need them

Pets and drones are not allowed. Weather can cancel the sailing, and the port may close. The operator aims to reschedule when possible, or provide a full refund if cancellation cannot be avoided.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I recommend it most for you if you want a full Beagle Channel experience rather than a quick wildlife stop. It works well for photographers, families who prefer viewing animals from a boat, visitors interested in the Argentina-Chile border region, and anyone who wants a comfortable way to see several sights in one afternoon.

It suits you less if you need a short activity, dislike wind and rough water, or want to walk on Martillo Island. The tour is also not ideal if you expect constant commentary. The guide provides information, but the sound system may not carry equally well throughout the boat.

The strongest reason to book is the mix: sea lions, cormorants, lighthouse, mountain views, Chilean territory, and penguins all fit into one outing. The strongest reason to hesitate is the length. Five and a half hours on the water is a commitment, especially if weather turns rough or the return feels quiet.

My recommendation

I would book this cruise if your Ushuaia plans include one major boat trip and you want the best chance to see penguins without paying for a private outing. Bring warm clothes, arrive early enough to choose a good seat, and treat the whale or dolphin sightings as lucky extras rather than promises.

Book something else if stepping ashore with penguins is essential. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to meet the Beagle Channel, with enough wildlife and scenery to justify the long ride, provided you accept the crowds and extra cost for onboard refreshments.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran tour last?

The scheduled duration is 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours. Actual timing can vary because of weather, wildlife movement, and the captain’s decisions.

What time does the boat depart?

Departure is scheduled for 3 p.m. You must arrive 30 minutes early at the Tolkeyen Patagonia Turismo office in the tourist pier, identified as the blue house.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the tourist pier in Ushuaia. Transportation to the port is not included.

Do you get off the boat on Martillo Island?

No. You view the Magellanic and Gentoo penguins from the catamaran as it follows the island’s coastline.

Which animals can you see?

The route includes sea lions, Magellanic Cormorants, Imperial Cormorants, and penguins. Whales and dolphins may also appear, but these sightings are not guaranteed.

Will the tour visit Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse?

Yes. The boat approaches Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse in its archipelago, allowing you to view and photograph it from the water.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although a café is available onboard.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide provides the tour in English and Spanish.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since the vessel can vary according to the company’s operations, confirm your specific needs before departure.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Bad weather or a port closure can cancel the sailing. The operator may reschedule it, or provide a full refund if rescheduling is not possible. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before departure.