Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

The penguins are the main event, and this five-hour catamaran cruise gives you a close look at Magellanic and Papuas penguins on Martillo Island without putting you ashore. Along the way, you pass sea lion colonies, busy seabird islands, the famous Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and snowy mountains lining the Beagle Channel.

I like the warm cabin and roomy outdoor decks, especially since the weather can turn cold and wet fast. I also like the slow, careful stops, which give you a fair chance to see the animals and take photos instead of rushing past them. The catch is simple: you cannot walk on Penguin Island, and the bilingual announcements can be hard to hear when the boat is busy.

Key points to know before you book

• Penguins from the water: The boat pulls close to Martillo Island, but this tour does not include a shore walk.
• A full Beagle Channel circuit: You see Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Puerto Almanza, and Puerto Williams.
• Comfortable in poor weather: The catamaran has a heated cabin, bathrooms, indoor seating, and outdoor viewing areas.
• Wildlife beyond penguins: Expect seabirds, two types of sea lions, cormorants, and a chance of whales.
• Five hours on the water: The ride to Martillo Island takes time, but the scenery and animal stops break up the journey.
• Plan for the ticket office: Arrive early at Catamaranes Canoero to exchange your booking code for a paper ticket.

Why Martillo Island is worth the boat ride

Ushuaia has plenty of boat trips, but this one earns its time on the water by going all the way to Martillo Island, also called Penguin Island. The catamaran approaches the shore so closely that you can often see penguins standing, waddling, and gathering near the beach without needing binoculars.

That close view is the reason to choose this longer cruise. You are not simply scanning a distant dot on a rocky island. The boat stays in the area long enough for people on both sides and on the deck to get a look. You should still expect a shared viewing experience, with plenty of passengers hoping for the same photograph, but the crew works to give people time and space.

The penguins are Magellanic and Papuas. They live here in their natural setting, which is more rewarding than seeing them in a managed enclosure. You will not walk among them, and that limitation matters if you have your heart set on a shore visit. From the boat, though, you get a clear, low-angle view of the colony without disturbing the birds.

The ride to Martillo Island is not short. It is part of a five-hour outing, so you should enjoy the channel itself, not just tolerate the trip to the penguins. The water was calm for some departures, while other outings faced rain, wind, and steamed-up windows. Pack for both possibilities.

From Ushuaia Bay into the Beagle Channel

You meet at the Catamaranes Canoero ticket office at Avenida Prefectura Naval Argentina 400. Look for the white and green building with the large logo. The boat leaves from the local tourist dock, first crossing Ushuaia Bay before passing through Paso Chico and entering the Beagle Channel.

One practical warning: arrive early. At least one passenger nearly missed the boat after discovering that a QR code still had to be exchanged for a paper ticket at a long line. This step was not clear to everyone in advance. Getting there early also gives you a better chance of finding a preferred seat near a window, though the most exciting animal views usually draw people onto the deck.

The catamaran is modern and comfortable, with a heated indoor cabin, tables, bathrooms, and outdoor viewing space. Food and drinks are sold onboard, including hot drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and basic refreshments. The selection is useful rather than gourmet, so you may want to eat before departure if you need a proper meal.

As the boat leaves Ushuaia, the city falls behind and the channel opens up. Mountains surround the water, and the scenery becomes the quiet star between wildlife stops. Bring a passport or identity card, which is required for the experience.

Bird Island and the first wildlife sightings

The first major wildlife stop is Bird Island, part of the Bridges Archipelago. Here you may see skuas, black-browed albatrosses, steamer ducks, cauquenes, kelp gulls, and gray gulls. The birds are not arranged for easy viewing, of course. They sit on rocks, circle the boat, and gather in colonies, so keeping your eyes moving helps.

This stop shows why the cruise is more than a penguin transfer. Seabirds are often overlooked when people focus on the larger animals, but the channel supports a wide mix of species. The guide provides information in English and Spanish, while an audio guide is also available in Chinese, English, Italian, and Spanish.

Sound quality can be uneven. Some passengers found the speakers difficult to understand, particularly when the guide switched between languages. If the commentary matters to you, try to sit near a speaker or use the audio guide. The staff generally give clear explanations, but the busy cabin and engine noise can work against them.

The crew usually allows enough time at each major stop for photographs. You may need to move between the indoor cabin and deck to find the best angle. On rainy days, staff members have wiped water from the windows so people could keep watching from inside.

Sea Lion Island and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

Sea Lion Island belongs to the Bridges Archipelago and is home to two species of sea lion. The catamaran moves close to the rocks, giving you a good chance to watch them resting, calling, and crowding together. The animals are often easier to spot than the birds because they gather in larger groups, but a zoom lens still helps.

Next comes Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, usually translated as The Illuminators. Its red-and-white tower is one of Ushuaia’s best-known sights, set against the mountains and open water. This is a photo stop, but it also carries a bit of local maritime history.

The guide tells the story of the SS Monte Cervantes, which sank in 1930. That detail gives the lighthouse stop more weight than a quick picture of a landmark. You get a sense of why this channel mattered to ships and why the lighthouse remains such a familiar symbol of the area.

Some people may find this portion slightly long if penguins are their only goal. The boat spends meaningful time at the lighthouse and nearby cormorant colonies, so you are trading a little extra sightseeing for a fuller picture of the channel. I think that is a fair exchange, though passengers with limited time may want a shorter wildlife cruise.

Imperial and rock cormorants gather around the lighthouse area. They can look like penguins at first glance, especially from a distance, but their upright posture and flight make them easy to distinguish once the guide points them out.

The channel to Puerto Almanza and Puerto Williams

After the lighthouse, the catamaran continues east through the Beagle Channel. This is the longest scenic stretch, with mountain ranges on both sides and fewer immediate wildlife distractions. It is a good time to settle into a window seat, warm up with a drink, or go outside for photographs if the wind is manageable.

From the water, you can see Puerto Almanza on the Argentine side and the Puerto Williams Naval Base on the Chilean side. The view gives you a sense of the channel’s international border and its remote position at the southern end of South America.

The scenery changes with the weather. On a clear day, the mountains frame the water in every direction. In rain or low cloud, the scene becomes moodier, but visibility can suffer. Windows may steam up in cold, wet conditions. The crew has been praised for wiping them down, but outdoor viewing is often the better choice for photographs.

The catamaran offers more room than a small open boat, and that matters during a five-hour trip. You can move around, sit inside, and return to the deck when something interesting appears. Still, the front viewing areas can become crowded when an animal surfaces or the boat reaches the penguin colony. A little patience helps.

Martillo Island and the penguin colony

Martillo Island is the highlight, and the approach is carefully timed around viewing the penguins from the water. The catamaran comes close to the beach, often closer than people expect. You can watch the birds along the shore and sometimes see them moving between the water and their nesting areas.

The boat does not land, and passengers do not walk on the island. If you want a guided penguin walk, this is not the right product. The advantage of staying aboard is that the whole group can view the colony from one stable platform, with no walking requirement and no need to follow a trail.

You should bring patience and a camera with a useful zoom. The penguins are close, but they are still wild animals, and they may not pose in the exact place you want. The crew generally keeps the boat in position long enough for passengers to get a proper look rather than a quick glimpse.

This is also the point where deck space matters most. Many people head outside, so arrive early or move into position as the boat approaches. Staff and onboard photographers may help organize the crowd, though the photography service can feel intrusive if you prefer to watch quietly. You can choose not to purchase photos.

Whales are an extra possibility, not the purpose of the trip. Humpback whales have been seen during some departures, including one outing with seven sightings and another with three close encounters. Captains may adjust the route when whales appear, but there is no guarantee. Treat any whale sighting as a welcome bonus.

Weather, comfort, and what to bring

The Beagle Channel can feel cold even during the warmer season because of wind on the open deck. Wear layers, including a warm outer layer, and bring rain protection. One spring or autumn departure was especially cold and wet, with windows steaming up despite regular cleaning.

The heated cabin is a major benefit. You can watch through the windows, take a break from the wind, and warm your hands with a drink. The boat also has bathrooms, which is not a small matter on a five-hour cruise.

You should bring:

• Passport or identity card
• Several warm layers
• Waterproof outer clothing
• Camera or phone with extra battery power
• Motion-sickness medication if you normally need it

The activity is specifically not suitable for people prone to seasickness. Even a comfortable catamaran moves on open water, and the trip lasts several hours. If you are uncertain, sit in the middle of the boat, look toward the horizon, and ask a pharmacist or doctor before your trip about suitable medication.

Smoking is not allowed onboard. Wheelchair access is listed, but you may want to confirm the exact boarding arrangements when booking if you need specific assistance.

How good is the guide commentary?

The tour includes a live Spanish and English-speaking guide, plus multilingual audio commentary. The strongest guides add useful information about the birds, sea lions, penguins, plants, and Ushuaia’s maritime past. Some have also answered questions throughout the cruise and kept the group engaged during longer stretches between stops.

The quality of the narration can depend on where you sit and how clearly the speakers carry. A few passengers found the English announcements hard to follow, while others praised the guide’s English and detailed explanations. The audio guide gives you another way to follow along, but it cannot replace a good live guide for questions and changing wildlife sightings.

Do not choose a seat only for comfort. Choose one that lets you hear. If the boat is crowded, step outside when the guide points out an animal, then return indoors for the longer commentary.

Is the $180 price fair?

At $180 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. The value depends on what you want from Ushuaia.

If your goal is simply to see the lighthouse, a shorter and less expensive harbor cruise may be enough. If you want penguins, sea lions, seabirds, mountain views, and a longer run through the Beagle Channel in one outing, the price is easier to justify. Port taxes, a local guide, the navigation certificate, and the full route are included.

The comfortable catamaran also affects the value. You are paying for a stable indoor and outdoor platform, not a basic transfer. Food and drinks cost extra, but they are available onboard, which is convenient during a five-hour trip.

The main value limit is the lack of a shore landing. Some passengers consider the close boat view enough. Others may feel the price is high because they cannot walk on Martillo Island. Decide that before booking. The boat-only format is the central difference between this trip and a penguin-walking excursion.

Who should book the Canoero catamaran?

I would choose this tour if you want a full Beagle Channel outing and prefer comfort over a small, rough boat. It suits photographers, families, first-time visitors to Ushuaia, and anyone who wants several wildlife stops rather than a single penguin encounter.

It is also a good choice if you are visiting on a tight schedule. In five hours, you cover a great deal of the channel and see several signature sights. The bilingual guide and audio options help international visitors follow the route, although the sound system is not perfect.

I would think twice if you strongly dislike boats, suffer from seasickness, or need a quiet, uncrowded wildlife experience. I would also compare it with a land-based penguin walk if stepping onto the island is important to you.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Ushuaia plans depend on weather, but they do not change the need to dress for the channel and arrive early at the ticket office.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if seeing penguins close to the boat is enough for you and you want sea lions, cormorants, seabirds, a lighthouse, and wide channel views in the same day. The warm cabin, roomy catamaran, helpful crew, and long viewing stops make the five-hour route easier to enjoy.

Skip it if you want to walk among penguins, avoid open water, or spend less for a shorter cruise. For most visitors who want a broad introduction to Ushuaia’s wildlife and scenery, this is a strong use of half a day, especially if you arrive early, dress warmly, and accept that whale sightings are luck rather than part of the promise.

FAQ

How long is the penguin watching tour?

The tour lasts five hours, including the boat journey from Ushuaia to the Beagle Channel, the wildlife stops, Martillo Island, and the return to the dock.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Catamaranes Canoero ticket office at Avenida Prefectura Naval Argentina 400, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The building is white and green with a large logo at the front.

Can I walk on Martillo Island?

No. The penguins are viewed from the catamaran, which approaches close to the shore. The tour does not include walking on the island.

Which penguins can I see?

The tour visits a colony of Magellanic and Papuas penguins in their natural habitat.

What other animals might I see?

The route includes sea lions, imperial and rock cormorants, skuas, black-browed albatrosses, steamer ducks, cauquenes, kelp gulls, and gray gulls. Whales have also been seen on some departures, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is food available on the boat?

Yes. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard. They are not included in the tour price.

Is the catamaran heated?

Yes. The boat has a heated cabin, indoor seating, outdoor deck space, and bathrooms. Cold and wet weather can still make the outside deck uncomfortable, so warm layers are important.

What languages are available?

The live guide speaks Spanish and English. An audio guide is available in Chinese, English, Italian, and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.