Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

Penguins are only part of the show. This five-and-a-half-hour catamaran trip gives you a broad, scenic look at the Beagle Channel, with Magellanic and Gentoo penguins on Martillo Island, sea lions, cormorants, historic sites, and views of both Argentina and Chile. I like the comfortable boat and the careful way the captain pauses at wildlife stops so people have time to see and photograph the animals.

I also like the value at $92 per person, especially compared with shorter Ushuaia boat trips that may show only the lighthouse and nearby islands. The main drawback is the long time on the water. The return journey can feel slow, and if the microphone is hard to hear, some of the useful historical commentary may get lost.

Key points to know before booking

• Martillo Island is viewed from the boat: You do not walk among the penguins on this excursion. The catamaran follows the island’s coast and stops offshore for viewing.
• The sailing lasts 330 minutes: Plan on roughly five and a half hours, including the outward and return journeys.
• The boat gets close to wildlife: Sea lions, cormorants, and penguins can often be seen at useful range for photographs.
• The route includes two countries: You see Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, Gable Island, and the Port Williams Navy Base in Chile.
• A café is available onboard: Food and drinks are not included, but refreshments can be purchased during the trip.
• Weather matters: Strong conditions or a port closure can cancel the sailing, with rescheduling attempted or a full refund provided if that is not possible.

Leaving Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel

You meet at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the tourist pier, a blue house, at least 30 minutes before the scheduled 3 p.m. departure. There is no transfer from your hotel, so you need to reach the port yourself.

The trip begins with a useful orientation to Ushuaia from the water. As the catamaran moves away from the pier, you get wide views of the city and shoreline. The route points out the Maritime Museum, the End of the World Museum, the industrial area, Mount Olivia, and Mount Cinco Hermanos.

This first section is more than filler. Ushuaia can look compact from town, but the view from the channel shows how tightly the city sits between the water and the mountains. I recommend going outside early, even if the air feels sharp. You will want your warm clothing within reach rather than buried in a bag.

The vessel type can vary according to the operator’s schedule, but the boat used for this activity is described as clean, modern, spacious, and comfortable. There are indoor seats, outside viewing areas, bathrooms, and a café. One practical point matters here: the lower deck can feel cold, so try to spend time upstairs or on the top deck when conditions allow.

Sea Lion Island and Bird Island

The first wildlife stop is Sea Lion Island. The catamaran pauses near the island so you can watch the sea lions resting and interacting on the rocks. The animals remain in their natural setting, and the captain may adjust the boat to give people on different sides a view.

Sea lions are often more entertaining than expected. They shift, call, jostle, and pile together, giving you something to watch while you wait for a better angle. Bring binoculars if you have them, but the boat’s close approach should still make the scene easy to follow.

Next comes Bird Island, home to Magellanic Cormorants and Imperial Cormorants. From a distance, cormorants can look a little like penguins, especially when they gather in a tight group. They are different birds, and the guide helps explain what you are seeing.

This is a good place to pay attention to the commentary. The birds, islands, and channel are part of a working natural environment, not a staged wildlife park. You may also see other marine animals in the area, although exact sightings depend on the season, sea conditions, and animal movement.

The guide speaks English and Spanish. Most passengers should be able to follow the main information, but the sound system has not always worked equally well throughout the boat. If you want the historical and natural details, sit near a functioning speaker and ask a crew member if announcements are difficult to hear.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the wrecks nearby

The boat then heads toward Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, the familiar red-and-white beacon often marketed as the lighthouse at the end of the world. That nickname is catchy, but the real interest is its setting in a small archipelago surrounded by open water and steep Tierra del Fuego shores.

The lighthouse itself is not an old settlement or a building you can enter. You view it from the catamaran, usually with time to take photographs. The captain may position the boat so people on different decks get a chance to see it.

The guide also connects the area with the 1930 wreck of the Mount Cervantes. Later, along the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, you pass Estancia Remolino, associated with the Mount Sarmiento, which ran aground there.

These references add a human layer to the sailing. The Beagle Channel is beautiful, but it is also exposed water with a long record of difficult navigation. That helps explain why the captain’s choices, rather than a rigid sightseeing schedule, control the exact timing and order of the trip.

Views toward Chile and the southern shore

After following the coast, the catamaran crosses the Beagle Channel on a north-south route. You see Gable Island and the Port Williams Navy Base on Navarino Island, which belongs to Chile.

This is one of the tour’s quiet strengths. The trip is not only about reaching Martillo Island. You are also seeing a border region where Argentina and Chile face one another across the channel. The distant settlements and military base give the scenery a sense of place that a quick lighthouse cruise cannot provide.

The route passes Estancia Remolino before continuing toward Martillo Island. On the return, you will see Estancia Tunnel and Estancia Fique. These names may pass quickly if the weather is rough or the guide’s microphone is unclear, so the experience rewards passengers who stay outside and keep watching the shore.

The water can be calm, but it can also become bumpy, especially on the way back. If you are prone to seasickness, this is an important consideration. The five-and-a-half-hour duration means that an uncomfortable first hour can become a long day, so bring whatever personal remedy you normally use and choose a seat with a view of the horizon if possible.

Martillo Island and its summer penguin colony

Martillo Island is the main reason most people book this excursion. During the Southern Hemisphere summer, Magellanic penguins and Gentoo penguins nest along the island’s shore.

The catamaran continues along the coastline and views the colony from offshore. You do not get out and walk on the island, which makes this tour different from excursions that include a land visit. The benefit is a longer boat route with more channel scenery and several wildlife stops. The tradeoff is that your penguin viewing time is limited and crowding at the best viewing side can occur.

The boat can approach close enough for good photographs, but you still need patience. People naturally gather at the bow, and the same group may occupy the best position for much of the stop. I would move outside before the approach, keep your camera ready, and be considerate about rotating positions so everyone gets a view.

The crew has encouraged people to keep moving, but crowd control can be improved. If photography is your top priority, you may find that the side of the boat offers a less crowded angle and a steadier chance to watch the penguins rather than a brief attempt to claim the front rail.

You should also remember that wildlife does not follow a timetable. The captain may alter the route or viewing position because of wind, waves, animal movement, or navigation conditions. The exact stop length and order can change.

Whales, dolphins, and the value of a flexible captain

Whales and dolphins are not listed as guaranteed sightings, but they have appeared during some sailings. In one particularly fortunate trip, the captain slowed and maneuvered for extended views of humpback whales. Dolphins were also seen on another return journey.

That kind of sighting can make the day exceptional, but you should treat it as a bonus rather than a promise. The core experience is the channel, the islands, the seabirds, sea lions, lighthouse, and penguins.

I like that the captain may pause when something unexpected appears. A rigid schedule would protect the advertised timetable, but it could also mean missing a whale passing nearby. The downside is that extra wildlife viewing may reduce the time available at Martillo Island or extend the overall trip.

This is one reason not to schedule a tight connection afterward. The advertised duration is 330 minutes, but natural events and navigation conditions can affect the timing. Keep your evening open.

Boat comfort, photography, and onboard costs

The catamaran has received strong praise for its comfort, cleanliness, spacious seating, bathrooms, and outside decks. That matters because this is a long ride, not a short harbor outing.

You can warm up indoors, then step outside when the boat reaches an attraction. The upper deck usually offers the best views, though it is also the most exposed to wind. A practical strategy is to keep one warm layer with you and alternate between the inside and outside areas.

A café onboard sells refreshments, but food and drinks are not included in the $92 price. Bring water and a snack if you want to control costs, while remembering that eating and drinking options are available for purchase.

Photography requires a little planning. Wildlife stops give you time, but people cluster around the bow and railings. Crew photographers may also work near the front and sell photo packages for about $50. That service can be useful if you want a portrait of yourself on the trip, but it may reduce open space at the best viewing point.

Keep your sunglasses and sun hat handy. The light can be strong on the water even when the air is cold. Sunscreen is also sensible, since you may spend more time outside than expected once penguins or sea lions appear.

Price, timing, and who gets the most from it

At $92 per person, this is a reasonable choice if you want the full channel route and the penguin colony in one outing. You are paying for a long boat ride, a guide, several wildlife locations, cross-channel views, and the chance to see two penguin species.

It can feel expensive if your only goal is a few minutes of penguin viewing. You spend much of the day sailing, and there is no island landing, meal, or hotel pickup. A shorter trip may suit you better if you have limited time or dislike long periods on a boat.

The trip leaves at 3 p.m., which can work well if you want your morning free for Ushuaia museums, a city walk, or another activity. It also means a late return, particularly if the captain slows for wildlife or weather affects the route.

I would choose this tour if you want a broad Tierra del Fuego experience rather than a quick photo stop. It suits photographers, birdwatchers, families who prefer not to hike, and anyone who wants to see the Beagle Channel from the water.

It is less suitable if you need to walk on Martillo Island, want guaranteed whale sightings, or become uncomfortable on rough water. The tour is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm any personal boarding needs before departure.

What to bring for a five-and-a-half-hour sailing

Pack for changeable outdoor conditions. Comfortable shoes are useful on the boat, and warm clothing is essential even during summer. Add sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a wind-resistant outer layer.

Do not bring pets or drones. Drones are not allowed, and using one around wildlife would also disturb the very animals you came to see.

Keep your phone or camera charged. You will have repeated photo opportunities at Sea Lion Island, Bird Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island. A small bag with water, a snack, extra layers, and seasickness supplies will make the long return easier.

Cancellations are possible when bad weather or a port closure makes navigation unsafe. The operator tries to reschedule, and if that cannot happen, the amount paid is refunded. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, which gives you some useful flexibility when planning around Ushuaia’s changeable weather.

Should you book the Penguin Island catamaran?

Book it if you want penguins plus the full Beagle Channel experience, not just a short trip to one sight. The comfortable catamaran, close wildlife viewing, bilingual guide, lighthouse, cormorants, sea lions, and views toward Chile make this a substantial half-day outing.

Think twice if you need a landing on Martillo Island, have a strict evening schedule, or dislike bumpy water. Sit upstairs when possible, arrive early enough to choose a good position, and remember that whales and dolphins are lucky extras.

For most visitors with one open afternoon in Ushuaia, I think the tour offers fair value. You may spend nearly six hours aboard, but the route gives you a real sense of this remote channel and its wildlife, rather than reducing the region to one quick penguin photograph.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from the tourist pier in Ushuaia, at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the blue house.

What time should I arrive?

Departure is scheduled for 3 p.m. You should present yourself at the office 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours.

Can I walk on Martillo Island?

No. The catamaran follows the island’s coastline and views the Magellanic and Gentoo penguin colony from the water.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but a café is available onboard for refreshments.

What languages are offered?

The live guide provides the tour in English and Spanish.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

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