Penguin Colony Navigation with penguin sighting.

5 hours
DIFFICULTY: LOW
Special boat tour for penguin watching at Martillo Island.

Price per adult from

$ 230.000,00

INCLUDED

Catamaran trip
Penguin watching
Onboard naturalist guide
Not included: Transfer to the tourist pier – Port fee – Island landing (watching from the boat only)

TOUR DETAILS

Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Low
Season: October to March

Penguin Watching Tour (Martillo Island)

Special boat tour for penguin watching at Martillo Island. The catamaran sets sail from the Tourist Pier, sailing through Ushuaia Bay and the Beagle Channel, with stops at Birds Island, Sea Lions Island, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. We then head to Martillo Island, where the boat stops right off the beach and turns off its engines so passengers can observe and photograph colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo (red-billed) penguins in their natural habitat, without invading their territory. The penguin season runs from October to early April. Due to its schedule, it can be perfectly combined with the Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train tour.

Price per adult from

$ 230.000,00

Beagle Channel and Martillo Island:

The most sought-after penguin sighting at the End of the World

Set sail on one of the most sought-after tours at the End of the World. If you are planning your trip to Ushuaia, penguin watching is a must-do experience for your itinerary. During this Penguin Watching Boat Tour through the legendary Beagle Channel, you will discover incredible landscapes, marine wildlife in its natural habitat, and much of our region's history.
penguin watching

avistaje de pingüinos

🛥️ The classic canal tour: Our journey begins by departing from the local tourist pier. As we sail away from the coast, you'll enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Ushuaia Bay and the surrounding mountains. Our first stop will be at Bird Island, where we'll observe various seabird species, including Magellanic and Imperial Cormorants. Next, we'll visit the famous Sea Lion Island, home to a large colony of South American sea lions. The trip continues to the iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, where you can take that classic souvenir photo of your visit to the End of the World, with the mountains as a backdrop.

🐧 The great sighting: After sailing through the canal, we arrived at the most anticipated point of the tour: Martillo Island. This is where the great penguin sighting. From the deck of our boat, we will approach the coast to see the wonderful colony of Magellanic Penguins and, with a bit of luck, the Gentoo Penguins that usually inhabit the area during the summer season.

💡 The Ideal Combination
This half-day excursion is the perfect complement to a visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park in the morning. If you want to learn more about the regulations and care of the islands' natural environment, you can visit the official website of InFueTur.

📋 Technical Specifications and Services:

  • ⏱️ Duration: 4:30 to 5 hours.

  • ⚠️ Difficulty: Low. The sailing is done in a closed and heated catamaran, making it a trip suitable for all ages.

  • 📅 Departures: From October to March (subject to weather conditions).

  • 📍 Presentation: At the Tourist Port of Ushuaia (Tourist Pier).

  • ✅ Includes: Full ticket for catamaran sailing.

  • ❌ Does not include: Port tax (payable on site) and transfers to the dock.

Experience Itinerary

TOUR DETAILS

08:15 AM - Check-in at Ushuaia Port

09:00 AM - Navigation begins

09:30 AM - Visit to Birds Island

10:00 AM - Visit to Sea Lions Island

10:30 AM - Visit to Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

12:00 PM - Penguin Watching

02:00 PM - Return to Ushuaia Port

Schedules may vary depending on the season, weather conditions, type of tour, and meeting point.

GALLERY

Can penguins be seen year-round?

No, the season for penguin watching at Martillo Island begins in October and runs until mid-April. During the winter months, penguins migrate to warmer waters, so this tour only operates during the summer season.

On this classic boat tour, the watching is done from the deck of the boat. The catamaran approaches right up to the beach of Martillo Island, allowing you to observe the colonies very closely and take excellent photographs, but it does not include landing or walking on the island.

No, the lighthouse is located on a rocky islet where disembarking is not allowed. The boat circles it at a very close range, stopping long enough in the Beagle Channel for all passengers to step out onto the outer deck and take the classic souvenir photo.

Yes! The boats used for this tour are very well-equipped. They feature a heated indoor area, comfortable restrooms for both men and women, and an onboard cafeteria service where you can buy cold and hot drinks, cookies, and snacks throughout the trip.

The voyage takes place in the inner waters of the Beagle Channel, which are generally very calm . Furthermore, the catamarans are large and very stable, so seasickness is uncommon. However, if you are particularly sensitive to motion sickness, you can consult your doctor about taking anti-nausea medication before setting sail.

No, departures are not canceled due to rain. The catamarans have a closed panoramic lounge from where you can enjoy the scenery without getting wet. The tour would only be canceled or rescheduled if the Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval) closes the port due to very strong wind gusts.

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