Birdwatching · USHUAIA BIRDWATCHING TOURS
Every trip has one free morning too few. These 15 ushuaia birdwatching tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
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.”
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.”
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 😂”
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.”
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…”
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”
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!”
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.”
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”
Spend up to eight hours exploring the Beagle Channel and Martillo Island, with a one-hour guided walk near Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. Guides such as Fabrizio and Gabriel have led natural-history talks, while the boat also visits Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, and the famous lighthouse.
“Our guides were wonderful. Fabriseio was very knowledgeable about many natural history topics as well as penguins and it t was great to talk with him about the natural history. He was very protective of the dear little penguins and it’s obvious he lives what he does I would recommend this trip.”
From Ushuaia, you follow Routes 3 and J through Fuegian valleys and forests to Puerto Almanza. A guide such as Franco, Lucas, or Luciano leads the day, with a zodiac ride to Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, then a fresh seafood lunch.
“This was a fantastic trip! Only 4 participants, and as two of us spoke English, there was a second guide, who spoke English perfectly and gave us so much information, as well as being enthusiastic about discussing the social history of the region. I learned so much from him! The meal at the little restaurant was excellent, as was the wine, and the trip out to see the penguins was fantastic! A really smooth boat ride, and so many penguins!! The lady who worked on the boat explained the breeding cycle of the penguins to us, and although it wasn’t a ‘walk with the penguins’ the boat pulled up onto…”
Sail from Ushuaia with an English or Spanish guide, stopping at bird and sea lion islands before reaching Martillo Island’s Magellanic and Papua penguins. The catamaran is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and the group can include up to 150 people. Allow five to five and a half hours.
Spend six hours on the Beagle Channel with an English or Spanish guide, watching sea lions, cormorants, and Magellanic penguins from the boat. The route includes Bird Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Gable Island, and views toward Puerto Williams. Meet at Ushuaia’s Tourist Pier.
“Molto emozionante l’esperienza ma per il costo ci aspettavamo maggior comfort e organizzazione.”
From Ushuaia’s Tourist Port, you’ll spend about three hours cruising the Beagle Channel, circling Bird Island and Sea Lion Island, then stopping at Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse. Bring warm layers, gloves, and a hat. The advertised 4x4 caterpillar ride should be confirmed before booking.
From Ushuaia, you canoe down the Lasiphashaj River into the Beagle Channel, visit Martillo Island’s penguins, then eat steak and Malbec on Gable Island. English and Spanish guides, hotel pickup, equipment, and an optional vegetarian lunch are included.
“This was an incredible tour to a private island in the Beagle Channel; very isolated and almost untouched. Esteban and Vicky were very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, and provided us with quite a bit of information about the history of the settlement as well. I was very impressed with the care that they took to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves: they offer you several options along the way (e.g. canoe in the channel or visit a museum, long or short hikes over the island) to make sure that the tour is accessible to all. And the food was amazing! I was expecting cold cuts and fruit, but…”
Pick a bird, a colony or a coastline.
