Birdwatching · ARGENTINA BIRDWATCHING TOURS

The 11 Best Birdwatching Tours in Argentina

11 tours  ·  from $46 a head

Magellanic penguins in the Beagle Channel, condors over the Andes, and the sheer bird noise of Iguazú. These 11 are priced and clear about the southern seasons that gate half of them.

Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran - From Ushuaia Bay into the Beagle Channel
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Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

1.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 5 hours · from $180Our pick

Sail from Ushuaia to Martillo Island aboard a comfortable catamaran, with bilingual commentary and an audio guide. See sea lions, cormorants, seabirds, Magellanic and Papuas penguins from the water, plus the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and Beagle Channel scenery.

“It was an amazing experience. We got up close to the Penguins and Sea Lions. The scenery was breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour. You see so much.”

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Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island - Leaving Ushuaia and entering the Beagle Channel
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Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

2.Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 5h 30m · from $92

From Ushuaia, you’ll sail the Beagle Channel to sea lion and bird colonies, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island’s Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. An English and Spanish guide provides commentary, while the catamaran offers indoor seating, outdoor decks, bathrooms, and a café.

“Good experience the Ship Captain was excellent in navigating the ship. Once in a life time experience we enjoyed.”

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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel and Penguin Island - Bird Island and Sea Lions Island
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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel and Penguin Island

3.Beagle Channel and Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 318 reviews · 5 hours · from $178

Set out from Ushuaia on a five-hour catamaran cruise with an English and Spanish guide. You’ll pass Bird Island, Sea Lions Island, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse before reaching Martillo Island, where Magellanic and Gentoo penguins gather close to the boat.

“This is a must experience in Ushuaia. Definitely worth to go and I am happy I did it. The upper deck has plenty of space and there were not too windy as in other places 😂”

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Puerto Iguazu: Iguaza Falls Brazilian Side & Bird Park Tour - Crossing from Puerto Iguazu into Brazil
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Puerto Iguazu: Iguaza Falls Brazilian Side & Bird Park Tour

4.Puerto Iguazu: Iguaza Falls Brazilian Side & Bird Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 260 reviews · 7 hours · from $46Best value

Travel from Puerto Iguazu into Brazil for sweeping views of Iguazu Falls and a visit to the Bird Park. Your guide handles the day’s logistics in English and Spanish, but most sightseeing is self-guided. Allow extra time for border checks, and bring snacks.

“The guide was great. I was the only non Spanish fluent speaker and he always made sure I knew what was happening before moving on. I was glad to have the seamlessness of the border crossings. I liked having the opportunity to go at my pace with reliable transportation. Everything was great!”

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Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo - Seating, weather, and getting good photographs
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Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

5.Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $240

Set out from Ushuaia’s tourist port on a 5 to 6 hour catamaran cruise with bilingual guidance, onboard restrooms, a café, and outdoor viewing decks. You’ll see seabirds, sea lions, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Magellanic and Gentoo penguins from the boat, without landing on Isla Martillo.

“It was amazing, the rocking was a bit rough but the areas to take pictures were amazing. We were able to see the prednisone and sea lions for a while.It was really fun.”

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Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel - Isla de los Pájaros and Isla de los Lobos
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Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel

6.Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 108 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $177

Cruise from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel to Martillo Island, with views of Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, sea lions, cormorants, and summer Magellanic penguins. A bilingual guide explains the wildlife, but you stay aboard the catamaran, and the ride can be rough in windy weather.

“Beware human thinkers! The boat was completely full and took awhile to board. It takes actually about 2h:30m to get to Martillo island. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, aways smiling and answering all questions. On each of the stops by islands on the way there. They’ve allowed plenty of time for the hordes of people to take turns on taking photos with the lighthouse, birds and seals. But unfortunately it didn’t happen that way. People that rushed to the front and to the straight sides of the catamaran would not give the chance to the other passengers to reach for the view. Very disappointing! At the Martillo Island…”

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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience - Getting to Harberton Ranch by road and water
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Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience

7.Beagle Channel Boat Tour and Penguin Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 86 reviews · 9h 30m · from $449

Travel from Ushuaia to Harberton Ranch, cross to Martillo Island, and walk for an hour among Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. You will also cruise past sea lions, seabirds, Bridges Islands, and Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse with a bilingual guide. The order depends on availability.

“Excellent and highly recommended. This tour is an experience of a lifetime. Our tour guys, Milko, Gerardo and Norbi…(apologies for misspelling) were amazing. Loved our day walking among penguins and learning about them. Thank you”

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Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands - Los Lobos Island and the sea lions
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Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands

8.Navigate through the Beagle Channel: Seal, Bird & Penguin Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 84 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $158

Spend about 5.5 hours on a heated catamaran from Ushuaia, with Spanish and English guiding, indoor and outdoor seating, and close boat views of sea lions, cormorants, the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Magellanic penguins at Martillo Island. Hotel transfers and food are not included.

“DON'T MISS THIS! It is a long trip, but really worth while. You travel all the way from Ushuaia down the Beagle Channel to almost the Atlantic Ocean. On the way there are several stops to see wildlife and the lighthouse. You do not get off but the boat takes you right up close. Then you travel to Estancia Harberton which is very interesting. A bus ride back gives you addition viewing of the landscape. Tremendous tour!”

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Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option - Meeting the Magellanic and Gentoo penguins
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Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option

9.Penguin walk in Ushuaia + navigation option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $291

Travel from Ushuaia to Harberton Ranch and Martillo Island for a guided walk near wild Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. Expect navigation on the Beagle Channel, bilingual guides such as Pablo or Julie, a marine museum, rough ground, wind, and about one hour on the island.

“Amazing walk through the penguin colony, seeing both Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. We went the second week of January and the babies were just shedding their baby plumage. The nests were active and it was an incredible experience. Dress for all weather as we applied sunscreen in the morning and needed our rain pants by the afternoon. Well worth the high price.”

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Unique Tailored Tours - The Hummingbird Trip - Plaza de Mayo and the city center
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Unique Tailored Tours – The Hummingbird Trip

10.Unique Tailored Tours – The Hummingbird Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 3 to 8 hours (approx.) Top rated

You choose the focus, pace, and neighborhoods for a private Buenos Aires tour with a bilingual guide. See Plaza de Mayo, Recoleta, Palermo, San Telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero, or Tigre. Driven tours include hotel pickup and drop-off; walking tours do not include private transport.

“We have recently returned from a magnificent three and a half week trip around Argentina that was organised by Hummingbird. Loli Delger spent a huge amount of time working with us and understanding the type of holiday we wanted. She got it spot on - exactly the right mix for us of the unmissable tourist highlights and off-the-beaten-track activities, lodges and authentic culture. We loved every moment in Argentina. Everything was meticulously put together and went smoothly, Loli and her team were following us and were available throughout the trip and we truly felt that this was a five star personalised service in every respect.”

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From Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran - Sailing out from Ushuaia’s tourist port
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From Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

11.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 55 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

Board a catamaran in Ushuaia for a five-hour cruise through the Beagle Channel. An English- or Spanish-speaking guide points out the Maritime Museum, sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, the SS Monte Cervantes wreck, and Magellanic penguins on Martillo Island. Hotel pickup is optional.

“Catamarano stra colmo di gente . As ogni attrattiva da vedere ci si ammassava fuori e se eri dietro non vedevi assolutamente nulla e la gente non si spostava. Siamo arrivati dai pinguini prima di tutte le altre barche e nonostante questo la nostra si é fermata dove c’erano solo una decina di pinguini mentre il “gruppo super grande “ non siamo riusciti a vederlo nemmeno ha fatto un giro per poter mostrare anche a chi non ha visto nulla. In prezzo assurdo si quasi 169€ a persona ! I peggio spesi. Sxonsiglko !!!meglio barca piccola”

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