Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 27 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony worth booking?
Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony is a 5-hour experience in Ushuaia, Argentina, from $180 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 27 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (27)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $180 per person
Unparalleled experience of sailing the Beagle Channel eastward enjoying the wonderful scenery of the channel and the mountains that surround it, there we will see Puerto Almanza on the Argentine coast and on the Chilean coast the Puerto Williams Naval Base, and arrive at Martillo Island where we will have the opportunity to see a colony of Magellanic Penguins and some specimens of Papua penguins.
What you get
About this experience
Unparalleled experience of sailing the Beagle Channel eastward enjoying the wonderful scenery of the channel and the mountains that surround it, there we will see Puerto Almanza on the Argentine coast and on the Chilean coast the Puerto Williams Naval Base, and arrive at Martillo Island where we will have the opportunity to see a colony of Magellanic Penguins and some specimens of Papua penguins.
What's included
Included
- Catamaran Sailing
- Port taxes
What you'll see and do
Martillo Island
We set sail from the local tourist pier along the wide Ushuaia Bay until we reach the Beagle Channel through Paso Chico. There we sail around Isla de los Pájaros (Birds Island) where we will appreciate the Fuegian avifauna observing Skuas, Black-browed Albatrosses, Steamer Ducks, Geese, Kelp Gulls and Grey Gulls; and Isla de los Lobos (Sea Lions Island) where we will be able to observe one and two hair sea lions. Both islands belong to the Bridges Archipelago. Arriving at Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (The Illuminators), we will be able to appreciate the colonies of Imperial Cormorants and Rock Cormorants; and also hear the story of the sinking of the SS Monte Cervantes in 1930. Continuing, we will sail eastwards enjoying the wonderful landscapes of the channel and the mountains that surround it, there we will see Puerto Almanza on the Argentinean coast and on the Chilean coast the Puerto Williams Naval Base, and then we will arrive at Martillo Island where we will have the opportunity to see a colony of Magellanic Penguins and some specimens of Papua penguins. There, we turn to return to Ushuaia, sailing close to the north coast of the Channel, appreciating the characteristic flora and seeing some historical sites such as Estancia Túnel and Estancia Remolino, where the semi-sunken hull of the Steamship Monte Sarmiento has been located since 1912. At the end of the trip you will be amazed with the view of the mountain range that surrounds the city of Ushuaia and its sumptuous nature that surrounds it. It is a journey of great historical and scenic value that we make, visiting privileged and interesting points throughout the trip, which you can discover sailing with Canoero Catamarans on the waters of the Beagle Channel.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Canal Beagle
Navigation through this channel to Martillo Island.
300 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Ushuaia
Los pasajeros deberan presentarse en la Boleteria de RUMBO SUR 30 minutos antes del zarpe.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Los pasajeros deberan presentarse en la Boleteria de RUMBO SUR 30 minutos antes del zarpe.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- SALUM TOUR & TRAVEL
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 27 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
27 verified traveler reviews for Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful views across...
Beautiful views across the journey. Great view of seals and penguins from the boat. However, lots of passengers made it difficult to get a good close up view from the side of the boat when near to the animals.
Response from the operator: Dear Hannah, Thank you very much for sharing your experience and for highlighting the beautiful views and wildlife sightings during the navigation. We regret that at certain moments the number of passengers made it more difficult to get a closer view from the side of the boat. We always operate within the authorized capacity limits and environmental regulations, prioritizing both safety and the protection of wildlife. We truly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving the experience for all our travelers. Kind regards,
via Viator
Great animals views . Everything else is sub-par
I’ll start with the positive . We got amazing views of both seals and penguins . We also saw birds which look like penguins but are closer to pelicans - that was awesome. Also, there are was a cute cafe on the board. The rest of the experience lives a lot of room for improvement. The English of the guide is not clear at all and English explanations were much shorter than the Spanish ones. The main issue however is the Catamaran itself . The viewpoints are extremely narrow to make room for more sitting spaces , so if you want to make a picture of yourself and the animals that’s hardly possible - only one of the two. The last point is the choice of embarkation point . It takes 2 hours to sail to the Penguins and 2 hours back and you only view the Penguins for 20 minutes . It would have been much wiser to use minivans to drive to a closer embark point and then take more time to spend with the penguins.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for sharing your feedback and for taking the time to describe your experience in detail. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the wildlife sightings, especially the seals, penguins and birds, as well as the onboard café, which are among the main highlights of this navigation. Regarding the points mentioned, we would like to clarify that the itinerary, navigation duration, viewpoints, and time spent near the penguin colony are defined by the operating company and regulated by local authorities in order to protect the wildlife and natural environment. Both sailing times and viewing periods are clearly stated in the tour description prior to booking. Concerning the guide’s explanations, we appreciate your comment and will share it with the operator, as service quality is very important to us. As for the vessel layout, the catamaran’s design and available spaces follow standard configurations for this type of navigation, always prioritizing passenger safety and comfort. We truly value your observations, as they help us continue improving, and we appreciate you choosing this experience. Kind regards,
via Viator
Would not go with this company
The penguin colony as well as the sea lions were 100% worth seeing. This is a MUST in Ushuaia, and the company does a great job at picking out the locations and giving sufficient time to take it all in. However, in hindsight, I would go with another tour company. Their stand at the docks had a mile-long line for check in - we arrived almost 1 hour early, but unless we went out of the line and talked to the organizers we would have missed the trip. The people there were very rude, there was general disorganization, and a dozen people trying to talk to someone at the same time. The rudeness was surprising and pretty much the only time in Argentina that we experienced this. The boat was large but very overcrowded. We came an hour earlier to the docks but there were no seats left on the boat. We had to essentially beg people to sit between them. The overall atmosphere is really dampened by this, and it was not worth the price they charge. There was a very strong emphasis on upselling and charging for 15 different things on the boat as well. The whole operation felt like just a tourist trap, and although the experience IS WORTH IT, I would book with a local company upon arrival instead of going with these guys.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We’re glad to hear that visiting the penguin colony and the sea lions was a valuable experience, as this is one of Ushuaia’s main highlights. We would like to clarify that our company operates as a sales and reselling platform, while the check-in process, port organization, vessel capacity, seat allocation, and onboard services are managed exclusively by the local operating company authorized by the port authority. These aspects are outside of our direct control. Regarding your suggestion to purchase the excursion locally upon arrival, it is important to note that doing so usually means booking with the same authorized operating companies working at the port, as the number of licensed operators is limited and regulated. We sincerely regret that operational issues affected your overall experience. Your comments are valuable and have been shared with the corresponding operating company in order to improve organization and passenger service during peak periods. Thank you again for your feedback and for taking the time to leave your review.
via Viator
The best of Ushuaia
If one has to take only one tour,he must take this one.Punctuality and cafeteria on the cruise impressed.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind review! We're delighted that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the punctuality and service on board. It was a pleasure to have you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Ushuaia in the future.
via Viator
Any visit to Ushuaia must...
Any visit to Ushuaia must include a trip on the water and we really enjoyed the trip on the Beagle Channel which finished up with the penguins before returning straight back to Ushuaia. The catamaran is large, comfortable and powerful. The crew and guide were very good, snacks and coffee are available. We got a good view of the wildlife and the scenery is beautiful on both sides of the Channel. At Martillo Island we stayed for quite a while watching the penguins, which is definitely the highlight. Everyone was told to keep moving on deck so that everyone got a decent look at the penguins. The only negative was the staff issuing the tickets at the office (after you present your online ticket to them). For some reason they couldn't find our booking and we waited patiently while it was sorted except they didn't want to do anything and were unhelpful. Close to departure time we messaged the company and demanded the office people make an effort...and boarding tickets appeared.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for sharing your experience. We’re glad to know you enjoyed the Beagle Channel navigation and that visiting Martillo Island was a highlight of your trip. We appreciate your kind words about the onboard service and also your feedback regarding the ticket office process. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and will work to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Thank you for choosing us — we hope to welcome you again in Ushuaia!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by SALUM TOUR & TRAVEL, who run 17 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 51.4.
See everything SALUM TOUR & TRAVEL runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ushuaia.
How much does Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony cost?
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Prices start at $180 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Ushuaia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Ushuaia is not rushed.
Is Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 27 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Ushuaia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Ushuaia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Ushuaia and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Ushuaia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Ushuaia?
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On Outty we rank every Ushuaia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Vinciguerra Glacier Trekking and Premium Floe Lagoon, King Crab Route 4WD Off Road with lunch in Puerto Almanza, Tierra del Fuego National Park – Small Groups. Optional Train. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Ushuaia?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Ushuaia?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony?
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Included: Catamaran Sailing; and Port taxes. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony?
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Los pasajeros deberan presentarse en la Boleteria de RUMBO SUR 30 minutos antes del zarpe. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony offered in?
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It is offered in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Beagle Channel Navigation Penguin Colony?
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Across 27 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include photo opportunities, the guide. The views and photo stops come up again and again.
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