Ushuaia: Beagle Channel and Penguin Island

The best part of this Ushuaia cruise comes at Martillo Island, where the catamaran edges close to colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. You stay on board rather than walking on the island, but the boat gives you a clear view and the crew works to let people on both sides photograph the birds.

I like the steady mix of wildlife and scenery. You get sea lions, cormorants, skuas, albatrosses, and possibly whales or dolphins, while the Beagle Channel opens toward mountains, Puerto Williams, and Puerto Almanza. I also like that guides explain what you are seeing in English and Spanish. The main drawback is simple: it is a long boat ride, and the penguin stop can feel crowded. You should also arrive an hour early to exchange your voucher and collect boarding passes.

Key points at a glance

• Penguins from the boat: Reach Martillo Island after about 80 kilometers of sailing and view Magellanic and Gentoo penguins close to the catamaran.
• Wildlife beyond penguins: Look for sea lions, imperial cormorants, skuas, albatrosses, sheathbills, dolphins, and, if luck helps, humpback or minke whales.
• A full five-hour outing: Plan on roughly 4.5 hours of navigation, plus the port process before boarding.
• Good photography setup: The crew moves or positions the boat so people on different sides get a chance to see and photograph the animals.
• Comfortable but busy: The modern catamaran has indoor seating, an upper deck, and snacks, drinks, alcohol, and souvenirs for sale.
• Port logistics matter: You arrange your own way to the pier, find the green apple-colored Catamaranes Canoeros booth, and arrive about one hour before departure.

Sailing out from Ushuaia

Your day begins at Catamaranes Canoeros at the Ushuaia pier. Transportation from your hotel is not included, so you need to reach the port on your own. At the pier, look for the small tourist booths and the green apple-colored booth marked Catamaranes Canoeros.

Take your voucher or the name on the reservation to the booth. You will exchange it for boarding passes, then present those passes to the harbor staff near the boat. This process can take time, especially when several departures are being handled at once. I would not treat the stated departure time as your arrival time. Arrive one hour early, as requested, and you will have a much calmer start.

Once aboard, the catamaran leaves the Bay of Ushuaia and enters the Beagle Channel. The early part of the cruise gives you a useful sense of place. Ushuaia sits between the water and the mountains of Tierra del Fuego, and the view changes as the boat moves away from the city.

The vessel has indoor areas where you can warm up, along with an upper deck for open-air viewing. The outside deck is the better place for photographs, but the wind chill can be fierce. Wear several warm layers, including a jacket, and keep your gloves handy. One passenger even lost a glove in the channel and had it recovered by the crew, but I would not count on such a lucky rescue.

Bird Island and Sea Lions Island

The first wildlife stops are Bird Island and Sea Lions Island. These are not shore visits. The catamaran slows or positions itself for viewing, allowing you to watch from the deck or through the windows.

Bird Island is the place to watch for flying and resting seabirds. Depending on conditions, you may see albatrosses, cormorants, skuas, and sheathbills. The birds are part of the appeal of this trip because they keep the cruise active before you reach the penguins.

At Sea Lions Island, the animals are the main attraction. You may see them resting on rocks or moving through the water near the boat. The crew takes care with viewing time, and the catamaran may give people on different sides a chance to see the animals.

This is also where the open deck can become crowded. Several hundred people may be trying to take pictures at once, and an outdoor speaker may not carry clearly to the front of the boat. If the guide is speaking, move toward a position where you can hear, then step outside for photographs when the boat is in place.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the Beagle Channel

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is one of the cruise’s familiar sights. It is often associated with the end of the world, although the real value here is the setting: a small lighthouse surrounded by cold water, distant mountains, and open sky.

The guide provides commentary in English and Spanish throughout the ride. You may hear information about the islands, birds, marine mammals, and the channel itself. Guide David received particular praise for answering questions and explaining the surroundings, while other departures have featured a multilingual female guide.

The bilingual format is useful, but it can also mean that announcements take longer. People at the front of the outside deck may have trouble hearing every word. I would treat the commentary as an added benefit rather than the only reason to book. The views and wildlife remain worthwhile even when wind, engine noise, or distance makes a sentence hard to catch.

As the catamaran continues, you can see views toward the Puerto Williams Naval Base and Puerto Almanza. The cruise covers about 80 kilometers before reaching Martillo Island, so this is not a short sightseeing loop. The long run gives you more time on the water, but it also makes seasickness a real consideration.

Martillo Island and the penguin colonies

Martillo Island is the main reason most people book this outing. The catamaran reaches the island after about 80 kilometers of navigation, then approaches the shore so you can see Magellanic and Gentoo penguins from the boat.

You do not walk on Martillo Island during this tour. That distinction matters. If you want a shore-based penguin visit, this is not that type of excursion. Here, the reward is the chance to watch the colonies without leaving the catamaran, often with birds close to the hull.

The exact number of penguins can vary. One departure had fewer penguins than expected for the time of year, while other outings saw large numbers close to the boat. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but this route gives you several chances to see animals before the final stop.

Photography is handled fairly well for a large boat. The crew works to give people different viewing angles, and guides allow enough time for photographs. Still, you should expect people around you and occasional blocked views. A compact camera or phone with a reasonable zoom will be more practical than changing lenses in the wind.

Stay patient and watch the water as well as the island. Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and orcas have been seen on some cruises, but these are fortunate extras, not promised parts of the itinerary. A captain may follow whales for a while when conditions allow, giving everyone more time to see them.

The boat, food, and five-hour rhythm

The catamaran is described as modern and comfortable, with warm indoor seating and a more exposed upper deck. That combination works well for this route. You can warm up inside, then go outside when wildlife appears or the scenery opens up.

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy sandwiches, snacks, beer, wine, and other drinks on board, along with souvenirs. This is useful because the cruise lasts about five hours, but it also adds to the cost. If you are watching your budget, bring whatever is permitted and plan to buy only what you need.

The boat ride itself takes approximately 4.5 hours, while the advertised activity lasts five hours. The difference likely covers boarding and port procedures, but you should still leave plenty of time before and after the cruise. Do not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward.

The motion of the catamaran is another practical point. People prone to seasickness may find this outing uncomfortable. Sit inside if needed, keep your eyes on the horizon when possible, and dress warmly even if the weather looks mild at the pier. The operator specifically says the experience is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or those with animal allergies.

What the $178 price means

At $178 per person, this is a substantial half-day expense. The price includes the guided tour, sightseeing cruise, wildlife viewing, and the chance to see the Beagle Channel and surrounding mountains. It does not include hotel transport, meals, drinks, personal purchases, or the port tax.

I think the price makes the most sense if you want one organized outing that combines several sights: seabirds, sea lions, the lighthouse, penguins, and wide water views. The possibility of dolphins or whales adds excitement, though you should not pay for this trip expecting a whale encounter.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to walk among penguins. You will not land on Martillo Island, and the boat can be busy. But for a first visit to Ushuaia, the route covers a lot of the area in one morning or afternoon without requiring separate transport or wildlife planning.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The operator also lists the tour as wheelchair accessible, though the port and boarding process still deserve advance checking if you need specific assistance.

Choosing a morning or afternoon sailing

Departures run every day in the morning and afternoon, subject to availability. You need to tell the operator which time you want when booking. On December 25 and January 1, sailings operate only in the afternoon.

Your choice may depend on your wider Ushuaia plans. A morning sailing leaves the rest of the day open, while an afternoon departure can fit around another morning activity. Since the tour lasts about five hours, neither option is a quick add-on.

Build in the one-hour arrival time for the port. The voucher exchange and boarding pass process are not difficult, but they are separate from simply walking onto the catamaran. Clear instructions at the pier are important, and arriving late could put you under needless pressure.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a broad introduction to the Beagle Channel and do not mind spending much of the day on a boat. It suits people who enjoy photography, seabirds, marine mammals, and changing views more than those who need a short, active excursion.

Families and older visitors may appreciate the indoor seating and the fact that no hiking is required. The open deck remains optional, though it is where you will get the best photos. The bilingual guide makes the trip workable for English and Spanish speakers.

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike crowded viewing areas, or need guaranteed wildlife sightings. You should also understand that penguins are viewed from the boat. The close approach is good, but it is not the same as a walking penguin encounter.

Should you book the Beagle Channel and Penguin Island cruise?

Book it if penguins, sea lions, seabirds, and channel scenery are high on your Ushuaia list, and you are comfortable paying $178 for a long, organized cruise. The strongest features are the close boat position at Martillo Island, the crew’s effort to share viewing space, the comfortable catamaran, and the chance of surprise sightings such as whales or dolphins.

Skip it if you want a shore landing, a quiet small-group outing, or a short ride. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to see the Beagle Channel in one half-day, provided you dress warmly, arrive early, and accept that nature sets the schedule.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts five hours. The catamaran spends approximately 4.5 hours navigating the Beagle Channel and returns to the same port.

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from Catamaranes Canoeros at the Ushuaia pier.

How do I find the correct booth?

At the pier, look for the small tourist booths. The booth for this activity is green apple-colored and marked Catamaranes Canoeros.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive one hour before departure to exchange your voucher for boarding passes and complete the boarding process.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. You must make your own way to the pier.

Can I walk on Martillo Island?

No. You view the Magellanic and Gentoo penguins from the catamaran.

Which animals might I see?

The cruise offers the chance to see penguins, sea lions, skuas, albatrosses, cormorants, sheathbills, and other wildlife. Dolphins, orcas, minke whales, and humpback whales have also been seen, but they are not guaranteed.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but snacks, sandwiches, beer, wine, and other drinks are available to buy on board.

Are morning and afternoon departures available?

Yes. The cruise usually departs in the morning and afternoon. On December 25 and January 1, departures take place only in the afternoon.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guiding is offered in English and Spanish.

Is the catamaran wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you need specific help at the pier or during boarding, confirm the arrangements in advance.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and dress in layers. Smoking is not allowed on the cruise, and feeding the animals is prohibited.