Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

Martillo Island is the prize here. From the catamaran, you’ll watch Magellanic and Gentoo penguins gather along the shore, with sea lions, cormorants, mountains, and Chilean islands filling out the long ride through the Beagle Channel.

I like the comfortable catamaran, with bathrooms, indoor seating, outdoor decks, and a café. I also like the captain’s approach to wildlife viewing: when whales or dolphins appear, the boat may slow and turn so everyone gets a fair look. The catch is the length. At 330 minutes, this is a full afternoon of sailing, and the return trip can feel slow if wildlife is quiet.

Key points to know before sailing

• Penguins stay on Martillo Island: This is a boat-viewing trip, not a shore walk. You’ll see the colony from the water.
• The catamaran gets close to wildlife: Sea lions, cormorants, and penguins are the main sights, with occasional whales or dolphins.
• The lighthouse is part of a full Beagle Channel route: Les Eclaireurs is one stop among several, not the whole purpose of the trip.
• Bring serious warm clothing: Wind on the outside decks can be sharp, even when Ushuaia feels mild.
• The boat has useful comforts: You’ll find bathrooms, indoor seating, outside viewing areas, and a café, though food and drinks are not included.
• Photo position matters: The bow can become crowded, especially near the penguins, so move between viewing areas rather than holding one spot.

What this Ushuaia penguin cruise actually offers

This is a wildlife cruise rather than a landing tour. You leave from Ushuaia’s tourist pier at 3 p.m. and spend about five and a half hours on the Beagle Channel, returning to the same pier.

The main purpose is to reach Martillo Island, also called Penguin Island. During the southern summer, Magellanic penguins and Gentoo penguins use the island for nesting. You’ll watch them from the boat as it follows the coastline. That distinction matters: you do not get off on Martillo Island, so the experience suits you if a close boat view is enough.

The route also gives you a broad introduction to the channel. You’ll see Ushuaia from the water, several islands used by marine birds and sea lions, remote estates along the coast, and views toward Chile’s Navarino Island. If you want a short trip focused only on penguins, this will feel long. If you want the full setting around the penguin colony, the slow approach is part of the appeal.

Leaving Ushuaia and entering the Beagle Channel

Arrive at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the blue house at the tourist pier by 2:30 p.m. The stated departure is 3 p.m., and arriving early gives you time to check in and find a good place on the boat.

As the catamaran pulls away, Ushuaia opens up behind you. From the water, you’ll see the Maritime Museum, the End of the World Museum, the industrial area, and the city’s mountain backdrop. Mount Olivia and Mount Cinco Hermanos are especially useful points of reference as the boat moves away from the harbor.

This first stretch helps you understand Ushuaia’s position. The city sits at the edge of the Beagle Channel, surrounded by steep Tierra del Fuego scenery and open water. From a seat on deck, you get a much broader view than you do from the waterfront.

The boat type can vary according to the company’s operations. Still, the usual setup described for this activity includes indoor and outdoor seating, bathrooms, and a café. One practical point is worth stressing: the lower deck may feel warmer at first, but the upper deck and outside areas usually offer better viewing. Dress for the wind, not just the temperature beside the harbor.

Sea Lion Island and Bird Island

The first wildlife stop is Sea Lion Island. The boat approaches the island so you can watch sea lions resting and interacting on the rocks. The exact behavior changes from day to day, and the captain may adjust the boat’s position according to conditions and the animals’ movement.

You’ll want binoculars if you have them, but the catamaran is designed to bring you close enough for photographs. Keep your camera ready, since sea lions may be active for only a short spell before settling down again.

The next stop is Bird Island. Here, the main stars are Magellanic Cormorants and Imperial Cormorants. From a distance, cormorants can look a bit like penguins, but they are flying marine birds. Their upright posture and black-and-white coloring often cause confusion, especially when they gather in large numbers on the rocks.

This portion of the route is useful because it shows how much life occupies the channel beyond the penguins. You may also see other marine animals and a variety of seabirds. The boat’s English and Spanish commentary adds names and context, although sound quality can vary by seating area. If you care about the explanations, sit near a working speaker and ask the crew if you cannot hear clearly.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and two shipwreck stories

The boat then heads toward Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, in the archipelago that shares its name. The small lighthouse is often called the Lighthouse at the End of the World, though that popular name can create confusion with other lighthouses in Patagonia.

It is an excellent photo stop, especially with the mountains and open channel behind it. The boat usually allows time to look and take pictures rather than rushing past. That is important because the lighthouse itself is small. Its appeal comes from the setting, the isolated position, and the feeling of being far from any road or town.

The route also brings maritime stories into the trip. The Mount Cervantes vessel wrecked in the Les Eclaireurs archipelago in 1930. Later, while following the south coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, you’ll see Estancia Remolino, connected with the grounding of the vessel Mount Sarmiento.

These details give the cruise more meaning than a simple checklist of photo stops. The Beagle Channel was not an easy route for ships, and the calm-looking water can change quickly with weather. The guide’s commentary helps connect the scenery to the vessels that tried to pass through it.

Gable Island, Chile, and the long run to Martillo Island

After the lighthouse, the catamaran continues along the southern coast of Tierra del Fuego. You’ll see Estancia Remolino and then cross the Beagle Channel in a north-south direction.

Gable Island comes into view, followed by Port Williams Naval Base on Navarino Island in Chile. This is one of the more unusual aspects of the cruise. You are not simply sailing around an Argentine bay. The route reaches toward the Chilean side of the channel, giving you views across an international border from the water.

This section can feel long. The boat is covering real distance, and the penguin colony is not just outside Ushuaia’s harbor. If you are prone to seasickness, the open-water crossing and the return run deserve attention. One passenger described the ride back as very bumpy, while other accounts found the catamaran comfortable. Conditions depend heavily on wind and weather.

Use this time to alternate between the indoor seats and outside decks. The café is useful for a hot drink or snack, but food and drinks are not part of the $92 price. Bring something with you if you know you get hungry during long outings.

Martillo Island and its two penguin species

Martillo Island is the reason most people book this cruise. The catamaran follows the island’s coastline, allowing you to see the penguin colony from the water.

Magellanic penguins are the more familiar species here. Gentoo penguins, also called Papua penguins in some translations, share the island during the nesting season. Seeing both species in the same place is a special feature of this route.

The boat can approach close enough for good photographs, but you should not expect every penguin to fill the frame. You are viewing a wild colony from a moving boat, not visiting a controlled exhibit. The captain may reposition the vessel, and the order or length of the stops can change with the weather, the animals, and navigation conditions.

The main practical problem is crowding at the best viewing points. A small group may remain at the bow for much of the stop, making it harder for others to get an unobstructed view. I would not wait in one place. Start outside, take your pictures, then move to another deck or side of the boat so you give yourself more chances.

The lack of a shore landing has two sides. You miss the rare feeling of walking among a penguin colony, but you also avoid disturbing the birds on land. For many people, a close and respectful view from the boat is a sensible compromise.

The return route through Fique and Estancia Tunnel

After Martillo Island, the boat turns back toward Ushuaia. On the return, you’ll pass Estancia Tunnel and Fique.

This is usually the least eventful part of the trip, especially if the weather is gray or the water is rough. It is also when chance wildlife sightings can change the whole mood. Whales and dolphins have appeared during the route, and captains may slow down or maneuver to give the boat a better view.

Such sightings are not guaranteed, so do not book this as a whale-watching excursion. Think of them as possible additions to a route already built around penguins, sea lions, birds, and scenery. The same applies to the weather. The captain decides the route and timing, and the port can close in poor conditions.

The boat returns to the local tourist pier after roughly 330 minutes. Keep your schedule open afterward. The activity is planned as a five-and-a-half-hour outing, but wildlife stops, navigation, and weather can affect the timing.

Comfort, guides, and the onboard setup

The catamaran is clean, spacious, and comfortable enough for a long afternoon. You’ll have indoor seating, outside viewing areas, bathrooms, and a café. That makes a real difference compared with a small open boat, especially in Tierra del Fuego’s cold wind.

Guiding is available in English and Spanish. The commentary covers the islands, wildlife, geography, and shipwreck stories. In some seating areas, the microphone system may be difficult to hear, so do not assume that every announcement will reach you clearly. Sitting near the front or near a functioning speaker can improve the experience.

There may also be photographers working on board and offering paid pictures. One account put the cost at about $50. The main issue is not the service itself, but the possibility that the photography area near the bow can block the best viewing position. If you want your own penguin photographs, claim a place early, then move when the crew asks people to share the view.

Wear comfortable shoes, warm outdoor clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Patagonia can give you bright sun, cold air, and strong wind on the same afternoon. Drones and pets are not allowed.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the specific vessel can vary. If you need detailed information about boarding or deck access, confirm the setup before departure.

Is $92 a fair price?

At $92 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to see Martillo Island from Ushuaia, according to the available pricing information. The fee covers the ferry-style cruise and guide, but not transfers to the pier, food, or drinks.

Value depends on what you want. You are paying for a long route through the Beagle Channel, not just a brief penguin viewing. The price includes several wildlife areas, the lighthouse, views toward Chile, onboard facilities, and bilingual commentary.

The cost feels stronger when the captain finds whales or dolphins and gives you time to watch them. It feels weaker if you mainly want penguins and spend the return in rough water. A land visit or shorter wildlife trip may suit you better if you dislike long boat rides, but those options are not described as part of this activity.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose it if you want a full Beagle Channel outing with penguins as the main goal. It works well for photographers, first-time visitors to Ushuaia, families who value indoor seating and bathrooms, and anyone who wants wildlife viewing without walking on the island.

I would think twice if you have limited time in Ushuaia, strong seasickness, or little patience for a long return. The boat ride is the experience, not merely transportation to Martillo Island.

Book with weather flexibility. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and if poor weather or a port closure cancels the cruise, the operator will try to reschedule or provide a full refund. That protection matters in Tierra del Fuego, where conditions can change quickly.

Should you book the Martillo Island catamaran?

Yes, if you want a comfortable and fairly priced boat trip that combines penguins, sea lions, cormorants, and the Beagle Channel. The close views, clean catamaran, friendly crew, and occasional whale or dolphin sightings give the outing real value.

Just set the right expectations. You will not walk on Martillo Island, the trip takes most of an afternoon, food costs extra, and the best photo spots can become crowded. Bring warm clothes, arrive at the pier early, sit where you can hear the guide, and move around the boat when the penguins appear. For many visitors, that is a worthwhile way to meet the wildlife of Tierra del Fuego.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran tour last?

The stated duration is 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours. The timing can change because of weather, wildlife movement, and the captain’s decisions.

What time does the boat leave?

Departure is scheduled for 3 p.m. You must present yourself at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the tourist pier by 2:30 p.m.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office, located in the blue house at Ushuaia’s tourist pier.

Do I get off the boat on Martillo Island?

No. The catamaran follows the coastline, and you view the Magellanic and Gentoo penguins from the boat.

Which animals can I see?

The route includes sea lions, Magellanic Cormorants, Imperial Cormorants, Magellanic penguins, and Gentoo penguins. Whales and dolphins are possible but are not guaranteed.

Is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse included?

Yes. The route passes Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse in the archipelago of the same name.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but the catamaran has a café where you can buy refreshments.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Spanish.

What should I wear?

Bring warm outdoor clothing, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Wind on the channel can make the boat feel cold.

Can the cruise be canceled?

Yes. Bad weather or a port closure can cause cancellation. The operator will try to reschedule the activity, or provide a full refund if rescheduling is not possible.