Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel in Ushuaia
Ushuaia, Argentina

Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel

Outty Ranking 66 4.3 · 115 traveler reviews5 hoursFrom $119

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$119
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Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 115 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel worth booking?

Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel is a 5-hour experience in Ushuaia, Argentina, from $119 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 115 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (115)
Duration
5 hours
From
$119 per person

Visit one of the biggest penguin colonies in the world and learn more about this incredibly social animal during a 5-hour tour. Take a boat trip to the penguin colony, accompanied by a professional local guide, and disco

What you get

  • Local Professional Tour Guide
  • Boarding Tax Fee
  • 5-hour boat navigation
  • In-vehicle air conditioning

About this experience

Visit one of the biggest penguin colonies in the world and learn more about this incredibly social animal during a 5-hour tour. Take a boat trip to the penguin colony, accompanied by a professional local guide, and discover the city's highlights from the river while navigating on the Beagle Channel towards the Penguin Colony. Learn more about this animals and get as close as possible to them, listen to your guides recommendations and get some historical facts about Ushuaia.

What's included

Included

  • Local Professional Tour Guide
  • Boarding Tax Fee
  • 5-hour boat navigation
  • In-vehicle air conditioning

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks

What you'll see and do

  1. The tour starts at the Canoeros box office located at the Touristic Port of Ushuaia. Here, you will receive all the indications to board the Catamaran

    30 minutes here · Admission not included

  2. Canal Beagle

    As we move away from the coast, you will see the incredible panoramic views of the entire city and its most important buildings, plus a combination of sea and mountains , highlighting the Montes Olivia, Cinco Hermanos, las Fique and Tunnel Estancias and the Encajonado River .

    60 minutes here

  3. Isla Bridges

    You will sail around the Isla de los Pájaros where you will see the birds of Tierra del Fuego watching Skuas, Black-browed Albatrosses, Steam Ducks, Cauquenes, Cook Seagulls and Gray Seagulls; and of the Isla de los Lobos where we can observe sea lions with one and two hairs. Both islands belong to the Bridges archipelago.

    60 minutes here

  4. Faro Les Eclaireurs

    The ship heads to center of the Beagle Channel, to the southwest, reaching Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. When arriving at the Lighthouse Les Eclaireurs you will be able to appreciate the colonies of Imperial Cormorants and Rocky Cormorants; and also listen to the story of the collapse of the SS Monte Cervantes, which he starred in in 1930.

    60 minutes here

  5. Martillo Island

    Continuing, we will navegate towards the East enjoying the wonderful landscapes of the channel and the mountains that surround it. From the Argentinian coast we will see Puerto Almanza and on the Chilean coast the Puerto Williams Naval Base, and then we will see the Isla Martillo. We will stop to observe from the Catamaran the colony of Magellanic Penguins that nest during the summer season.

    60 minutes here · Admission included

  6. Ushuaia

    At the end of the journey, you will be amazed by the view of the mountain range that surrounds the city of Ushuaia and the sumptuous nature that surrounds it.

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Ushuaia

Travelers must be present 30 minutes before the scheduled time at the meeting point: Canoero box office in order to exchange tickets.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Travelers must be present 30 minutes before the scheduled time at the meeting point: Canoero box office in order to exchange tickets.

Options you can book

  • Penguin Colony PM Option

    Check-in time 2.00-2.15pm

  • Penguin Colony AM Option

    Check-in time 8.00-8.15am

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 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
Tangol

Know before you go

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Not suitable for cruise passengers
  • It does not include walking among the penguins.
  • For bromatological reasons it is forbidden to enter the catamaran with external foodstuffs.

Photos

Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel in Ushuaia, photo 2Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel in Ushuaia, photo 3Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel in Ushuaia, photo 4Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel in Ushuaia, photo 5Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel in Ushuaia, photo 6Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel in Ushuaia, photo 7

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
Price range
$119 to $279
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
40
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 66

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)53
Review evidence (18% weight)81
Booking momentum (14% weight)77
Value for money (12% weight)56
Listing quality (10% weight)88
Local standing (8% weight)19
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ushuaia.

How much does Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel cost?

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Prices start at $119 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 Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel 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 Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 115 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 Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel?

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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 Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel 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 Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel?

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Around 40 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 Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel 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 Beagle Channel Navigation with Minitrekking, Vinciguerra Glacier Trekking and Premium Floe Lagoon, Lakes 4WD Off Road with Lunch at Lake Fagnano from Ushuaia. 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.

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