Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

Martillo Island is the star of this 5.5-hour catamaran trip, but the sailing there is part of the show. You will cross the Beagle Channel for sea lions, cormorants, Chilean views, old estancias, and the famous Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse before reaching a colony of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins.

I like the comfortable boat with outdoor viewing decks, and I like the patient wildlife watching. Captains have stopped for whales and dolphins when conditions allowed, giving people time to see them instead of rushing past. The catch is simple: this is a long boat ride, and you watch the penguins from the vessel rather than walking on Martillo Island.

Key points

• Penguins from the water: See Magellanic and Gentoo penguins nesting on Martillo Island during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
• A full Beagle Channel circuit: The route includes Sea Lion Island, Bird Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Gable Island, and views toward Chile’s Puerto Williams.
• Good wildlife range: Sea lions, Magellanic Cormorants, Imperial Cormorants, and possibly whales or dolphins may appear.
• Comfortable facilities: The catamaran has indoor seating, outdoor decks, bathrooms, and a café.
• Bring serious warm clothing: Wind and spray can make the open decks cold, and the return crossing can be rough.
• Strong value at $92: It is one of the less expensive ways to see penguins near Ushuaia, but the price is still substantial for a boat-only outing.

Sailing out from Ushuaia at 3 p.m.

You meet at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the tourist pier, a blue house, at 2:30 p.m. The catamaran departs at 3 p.m., so do not treat the presentation time as optional. You need to check in 30 minutes early.

The first stretch gives you a useful view of Ushuaia from the water. The city sits at the foot of the Fuegian mountains, and the boat soon pulls the waterfront into perspective. You can see the Maritime Museum, the End of the World Museum, the industrial area, Mount Olivia, and Mount Cinco Hermanos.

This opening section is more than a slow start. It helps you understand Ushuaia as a working port, not just a gateway for excursions. The view changes quickly as the city falls behind and the channel opens around you.

The exact boat depends on the company’s operations. The vessel used may vary, but the tour offers indoor seating, outdoor decks, bathrooms, and a café. Food and drinks are not included in the $92 price, so bring water and snacks or plan to buy refreshments aboard.

Sea lions and cormorants in the Beagle Channel

The first wildlife stop is Sea Lion Island. The catamaran approaches carefully, allowing you to watch the animals gathered on the rocks and interacting in the water. You may see adults resting close together, animals entering the sea, and the constant movement that makes a colony more interesting than a single distant sighting.

The boat does not land, so the quality of your view depends on where you stand and how the captain positions the vessel. The crew has generally given people enough time to take photographs, and the catamaran can maneuver so both sides get a useful look.

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 upright on the rocks. They are different birds, and the guide’s explanation helps you tell them apart.

This is one of the better parts of the trip for anyone who wants more than a single penguin photograph. The Beagle Channel supports several kinds of marine life, and the route lets you see how birds and sea lions share the same rocky islands.

The live commentary is given in English and Spanish. On some sailings, the guide’s explanations have been hard to hear from the lower deck because of the microphone and speaker setup. If the historical and natural details matter to you, sit near a speaker or spend part of the trip outside where the announcements may carry more clearly.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and two shipwreck stories

The catamaran then heads toward Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, often called the Lighthouse at the End of the World. The lighthouse sits in the Les Eclaireurs archipelago and has become one of Ushuaia’s most recognizable sights.

The name carries a little confusion. Jules Verne’s famous Lighthouse at the End of the World was inspired by a different lighthouse, but Les Eclaireurs is the one most people photograph from Ushuaia. You will have a clear chance to take pictures as the boat approaches.

The area also brings two shipwreck stories into the trip. The Mount Cervantes wrecked in 1930 near the lighthouse archipelago, while the Mount Sarmiento ran aground near Estancia Remolino. These details give the scenery a human edge. The channel was not simply a scenic route. It was a difficult passage for working ships and passenger vessels.

The boat may slow or reposition at the main sights. This matters because wildlife and weather control the timing. The captain can alter the order of stops or adjust the distance from the islands to protect both the animals and the vessel.

Crossing toward Gable Island and Puerto Williams

After the lighthouse, the route follows the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. You will pass Estancia Remolino and then cross the Beagle Channel toward Gable Island.

Across the water, you can see the Puerto Williams naval base on Navarino Island, which belongs to Chile. This is one of the trip’s quietly memorable details. You are not just making a short wildlife run from Ushuaia. You are crossing an international channel and looking toward one of the world’s southernmost settlements.

The views are broad and exposed here. On a calm day, the crossing can feel smooth and spacious. On a rough day, the return or cross-channel section may be bumpy. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you can see the horizon, keep your warm layers handy, and consider whether a long boat excursion suits you.

The catamaran has indoor seating, so you do not need to remain outside for the full five and a half hours. Still, the best photographs require time on the open decks, and those decks can be cold. Comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing are essential, not decorative packing advice.

Martillo Island and its summer penguin colony

Martillo Island is the reason most people book this excursion. During the Southern Hemisphere summer, Magellanic and Gentoo penguins nest along the island’s coast. The Gentoo penguins are also called Papua penguins in some descriptions.

The boat follows the shoreline and approaches close enough for strong views and photographs. You do not get off the catamaran. That point matters when comparing this trip with a land-based penguin visit. You receive a boat-level view of the colony, not a walk among the nests.

The captain may position the vessel more than once so people can see from different parts of the boat. Still, the front viewing area can become crowded. A small group may stay in the best position for much of the stop, while people farther back struggle to reach the rail. The crew asks people to move along, but the system is not always strict enough to give each person an equal turn.

My practical advice is to choose a viewing place early, then move when you have your photographs. You will get a better experience by sharing the front for a few minutes than by trying to hold it for the entire stop. A zoom lens or phone with a good optical zoom helps, since the boat cannot simply pull onto the beach.

You should also know that onboard photographers may offer paid photos, reported at about $50. They sometimes work near the bow, which can reduce your best viewing space. If you want unobstructed pictures, be aware of where the photography setup is before the penguin stop begins.

Penguin sightings are not guaranteed in a fixed pattern. The itinerary can change because of weather, port rules, animal movement, or the captain’s judgment. The colony is a seasonal sight, too, so this is not the same experience outside the nesting period.

The long ride back through Fuegian scenery

After the penguins, the boat returns toward Ushuaia, passing views of Estancia Tunnel and Estancia Fique. The return leg is where the trip’s length becomes most noticeable.

You may enjoy the slower pace if you like open water, mountain views, and quiet time with a camera. You may find it dull if your main goal is only to see penguins. There is no extra village stop or shore visit built into this route, so the final hours remain a boat ride.

Wildlife can change the mood. Captains have stopped for humpback whales and dolphins when they appeared, and those unplanned sightings have sometimes become the best part of the day. The crew may slow down and maneuver so people on both sides can watch. You should treat these animals as a lucky possibility, not a promise.

The trip can also run longer than the stated 330 minutes if wildlife or navigation conditions require extra time. Do not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward. One past sailing extended beyond six hours after whale sightings, and an otherwise smooth day can also be slowed by wind or channel conditions.

What the $92 price really buys you

At $92 per person, the tour is not cheap, but it is a competitive way to combine several sights in one outing. You get the Beagle Channel, sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, coastal estancias, views toward Chile, and Martillo Island in one route.

The value is strongest if you want the full channel experience and prefer a comfortable vessel. The boat has been described as clean, modern, spacious, and easy to photograph from. The café, bathrooms, and indoor seating make the long crossing more manageable.

The value is weaker if you expect to walk on Martillo Island, receive meals, or have a small-group wildlife experience. Food and drinks cost extra, and the boat can feel crowded around the most popular viewing points. The long return also means that the penguin stop itself is only one part of a much longer day.

At this price, I would compare the trip by asking one question: do you want the journey as much as the destination? If yes, the route gives you a full day on the channel. If no, a shorter wildlife trip may suit you better, though the specific alternatives are not part of this excursion.

Comfort, access, and what to pack

The catamaran is wheelchair accessible, and the indoor areas provide shelter when the wind picks up. The type of boat can vary, so the exact layout may not be identical on every departure.

Wear warm layers rather than one heavy coat. You can remove a layer inside, while the open decks may feel sharply cold even during summer. Add comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and practical outdoor clothing.

The sun can be strong on the water, and the wind can hide how much exposure you are getting. Keep your camera and phone secure on deck. Drones and pets are not allowed.

If the lower deck feels cold, try the upper level or an outdoor viewing area when conditions allow. A few people have found the lower floor less comfortable, while the upper floor offered better views. You will want to move between indoor and outdoor spaces rather than commit to one spot for the entire trip.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would choose this tour if you want to see penguins without giving up the classic Beagle Channel sights. It suits photographers, families who want bathrooms and indoor seating, and anyone who prefers viewing wildlife from a stable boat rather than walking outdoors for hours.

It also suits you if sea lions, birds, a lighthouse, shipwreck stories, and Chilean views sound worthwhile alongside the penguins. The route gives you a strong sense of the region instead of reducing the day to one colony.

I would hesitate if you have severe seasickness, a tight evening flight, or little patience for a long return crossing. The tour can be bumpy, commentary may be difficult to hear in parts of the boat, and the penguin viewing area can become crowded.

Cancellations caused by bad weather or port closure are handled by rescheduling when possible, with a full refund if rescheduling cannot happen. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps the booking flexible.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is a comfortable, well-rounded Beagle Channel outing with penguins as the payoff. At $92, it offers a lot of scenery and wildlife for one fare, and the chance of whales or dolphins can add a memorable surprise.

Skip it if you need a short excursion, a landing on Martillo Island, or guaranteed quiet around the rail. For most people who accept that this is a long boat day, the combination of wildlife, sea views, lighthouse, and penguins makes the trip a solid Ushuaia choice.

FAQ

How long does the Ushuaia penguin catamaran tour last?

The stated duration is 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours. Wildlife sightings, weather, and navigation conditions can change the timing, so you should avoid booking a tight connection afterward.

What time should I arrive at the port?

Departure is at 3 p.m. You should present yourself 30 minutes early, at 2:30 p.m., at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the tourist pier. The office is in a blue house.

Can I walk on Martillo Island?

No. The catamaran follows the coastline and lets you watch the penguins from the boat. You do not land on the island during this activity.

Which penguins can I see?

During the summer nesting season, you can see Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. Gentoo penguins are also described as Papua penguins.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. A café is available onboard for refreshments.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Spanish. Audio can be easier to hear from some parts of the boat than others.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Bad weather or port closure can cancel the navigation. The operator will try to reschedule it, and if that is not possible, the amount paid is refunded.