Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 20 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony worth booking?
Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony is a 7-hour experience in Ushuaia, Argentina, from $240 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 20 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (20)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $240 per person
A unique experience on the Beagle Channel, one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world. We will sail through the channel, visiting Sea Lion and Bird Islands, where you can observe sea lions, cormorants, and other seabirds in their natural habitat. We will make a stop at the iconic Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, a historic lighthouse located on an archipelago of the same name, offering a unique view of the region. The highlight of our journey will be the visit to the penguin colony on Martillo Island. This is, without a doubt, the most anticipated moment of the tour. Our boat will dock on the island, allowing you to experience an unparalleled opportunity: to observe up close the charming Magellanic penguins. These friendly animals, known for their curiosity, come within a few meters of visitors, providing a unique chance to admire them in their natural environment. This tour is designed for those seeking a nature and adventure experience in Tierra del Fuego.
What you get
About this experience
A unique experience on the Beagle Channel, one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world. We will sail through the channel, visiting Sea Lion and Bird Islands, where you can observe sea lions, cormorants, and other seabirds in their natural habitat. We will make a stop at the iconic Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, a historic lighthouse located on an archipelago of the same name, offering a unique view of the region. The highlight of our journey will be the visit to the penguin colony on Martillo Island. This is, without a doubt, the most anticipated moment of the tour. Our boat will dock on the island, allowing you to experience an unparalleled opportunity: to observe up close the charming Magellanic penguins. These friendly animals, known for their curiosity, come within a few meters of visitors, providing a unique chance to admire them in their natural environment. This tour is designed for those seeking a nature and adventure experience in Tierra del Fuego.
What's included
Included
- sail to Pájaros sland
- Heading north to south, we will spot Gable Island and the Puerto Williams Naval Base
- Beagle Channel Navigation
- At Martillo Island, we approach the beach and stay there to observe the penguins in their natural habitat.
- We sail to Los Lobos Island, where, from the boat, we can see the sea lions.
- Sail to Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse
Not included
- Pick up and drop off hotels: Meeting point at tourist Pier
What you'll see and do
Ushuaia
Unique experience on the Beagle Canal, one of the most impressive natural wonders in the world. We will cruise the canal, visit the Lobos and Birds Islands, where you can observe sea lions, cormorants and other seabirds in their natural habitat.
Pass by without stopping
Canal Beagle
We begin the navigation departing from the Tourist Pier of our city, heading towards the center of the Beagle Channel. As we sail away, we enjoy panoramic views of the Ushuaia coast, spotting important buildings such as the Maritime Museum (the former prison), the End of the World Museum, the industrial area, and the Olivia and Cinco Hermanos mountains. We navigate southwest, approaching Sea Lion Island, where from the boat we can enjoy views of sea lions in their permanent habitat, set in a marvelous scene. Continuing our navigation, we head towards Bird Island, home to Magellanic and Imperial cormorants, a privileged area to observe marine birdlife. We continue sailing towards the Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, located in the archipelago of the same name. On these islets, parts of the Monte Cervantes shipwreck, which sank in 1930, can be observed. Following the southern coast of the Big Island of Tierra del Fuego, we will spot Estancia Remolino, where the Monte Sarmiento ship ran aground. Crossing the Beagle Channel north to south, we will see Gable Island and the Puerto Williams Naval Base (located on Navarino Island, Republic of Chile). Upon arriving at Martillo Island, we approach the beach and stay there. It is amazing to observe how the Magellanic penguin colony, which nests during the summer season, approaches the boat with notable curiosity, swimming underneath the catamaran and resurfacing—an unforgettable spectacle that invites countless photographs. From here, we sail back to the Tourist Pier, passing by Estancias Túnel and Fique along the way.
360 minutes here · Admission not included
Faro Les Eclaireurs
We continue towards the Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, located in the archipelago of the same name, where the ship Monte Cervantes wrecked in 1930. The return will be via Paso Chico, passing by Estancias Túnel and Fique, returning to Ushuaia with a view of the impressive backdrop provided by Mount Martial and its glacier.
Pass by without stopping
Martillo Island
Upon arriving at Martillo Island, we approach the beach and remain there. It is amazing to observe how the Magellanic penguin colony, which nests during the summer season, approaches the boat with notable curiosity, swimming under the catamaran and resurfacing. It’s a spectacle that invites us to take countless photographs. From here, we sail back to the Tourist Pier, passing by Estancias Túnel and Fique along the way.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Ushuaia
Departing from the Ushuaia Tourist Pier: Av. Int. Jorge Garramuño, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, V9410 Ushuaia, half an hour before the boat’s departure — we will send the schedule with each itinerary. We need the name of your hotel in Ushuaia to contact you if necessary.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Departing from the Ushuaia Tourist Pier: Av. Int. Jorge Garramuño, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, V9410 Ushuaia, half an hour before the boat’s departure — we will send the schedule with each itinerary. We need the name of your hotel in Ushuaia to contact you if necessary.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Azul Latina Travel
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Passengers must arrive at the Tourist Pier half an hour before the service departure. Address: Tourist Pier, Av. Prefectura Naval Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, V9410 Ushuaia.
- This service is non-refundable for cancellations made within 4 days prior to the service date. However, if you need to modify your reservation—such as adjusting the number of participants, changing the date, or requesting a cancellation with a refund—we can accommodate your request as long as it is made at least 4 days before the service date.
- Passengers will not disembark from the catamaran during the tour because penguins are very sensitive to environmental contamination, and we cannot risk their natural habitat. However, we will dock at Martillo Island, where the penguins will approach the catamaran and even play around its hull just a few meters from us. We will be able to observe them up close, as if we were on land.
- This tour does not include hotel pick-up; however, we need the name of the hotel where you will be staying in Ushuaia to be able to contact you in case of any last-minute schedule changes.
- This tour is a 6-hour navigation through the Beagle Channel on a flat catamaran that will approach the coast of the most important islands.
- The tour includes boat transfer, a bilingual guide, and entrance fees to the visited sites. The tour difficulty level is low. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 20 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
20 verified traveler reviews for Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tour operator canceled the tour !! It was HORRIBLE !
The tour operator canceled this tour ! We have been so very disappointed, that this particular tour was canceled $
Response from the operator: Dear Boris, We are truly sorry for what happened and understand your frustration. However, we would like to clarify that the tour was not canceled by the agency nor by choice. The navigation was suspended by the Naval Prefecture due to strong winds that posed a safety risk to passengers. This tour is one of the most popular among visitors because of its outstanding experience and high-quality service. It is also the only catamaran that reaches the penguin colony. That said, passenger safety is always our top priority, and the Naval Prefecture is the authority responsible for determining whether sailing conditions are safe. We made every effort to reschedule the tour for the following day, but as you were unable to attend, a full refund was issued. We kindly ask for your understanding that it is not accurate to describe the tour as “horrible,” as it could not take place due to weather conditions beyond anyone’s control. We truly hope you will have the opportunity to experience it on your next visit. Best regards,
via Viator
Unforgettable tour
Great catamaran tour to the penguin, on the journey we see the lighthouse of Ushuaia, sea wolves, and mountain landscapes in Ushuaia, and on the way we can find Whales.Where the captain for the boat for tourists to observe and we also know the island of birds until we finally arrive at the penguin to observe the penguin colony.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
As promised
Exactly as promised. Great weather made it even better. Nice pleasant day on the water and in the sun. We enjoyed ourselves.
via Tripadvisor
An unforgettable experience
Great tour. Very well organised company. Clean boat and most importantly the captain did a great job for everyone to see well. Tourists on the boat were kind and gave an opportunity for others to move forward too to see as well. I highly recommend this trip. I believe it was better priced than many of the other ones too. Go see the penguins!
via Viator
DISASTER IN USHUAIA!
We booked this tour with high expectations, but we were extremely dissatisfied upon arrival. We did not received the tour we booked, and we were offered limited options when we discovered that the tour company MIGHT NOT return us to our cruise ship by the scheduled departure time. The tour company published excursion arrival and departure times for which they did not honor. They started the tour an hour and a half after their published time and were a half-hour late in receiving us for check-in. We opted for a shorter tour in order to avoid missing ship's movement and to get some (an undetermined amount) of our excursion costs returned to us. The tour clerks were not organized or helpful. And the 30 plus passengers that signed up for this tour were left standing and waiting for help in line for nearly an hour. It was obvious that there was little coordination between this tour company, Trip Advisor, and the cruise ship company. I would never recommend this tour to any cruise ship traveler.
Response from the operator: Dear Pamela In order to respond to your comment we are copying the response that we have already sent two days ago ,personally to you. you have received the itinerary twice, on August 21 and the second reminder on January 12 prior to the service. In both itineraries they specifically say that you must arrive at the dock at 8:30 AM (even if the ship leaves at 9:00 AM). Also in the product you have acquired, it specifically says that the tour has a duration of 6 hours Therefore, if your cruise itinerary was not compatible with the duration of this tour, you should not have acquired this tour, or at least ask us about this situation. Clearly in our itineraries sent twice to you, shows our WhatsApp contact to which we assist our passengers every day of the year. We have never received an inquiry from you asking us if your cruise itinerary was compatible with our tour, in this way, and having sent you the tour so far in advance you would have been correctly informed. As this tour does not include the pick up or drop off, we do not ask our passengers where they are coming from or what time they have to return, we only clarify the duration of the tour and the time they must arrive at the dock, Passengers must check that the round trip itinerary coincides perfectly with the itinerary of their cruise, and if they still have any questions, our WhatsApp is perfectly published and is even sent to them on the itinerary to ask any questions. Instead, you never answered the itinerary sent through viator, you did not contact us, you did not inform us that you were on a cruise and that you had a specific schedule, I am very sorry that you did not contact us sooner and that you did not respond to any of our sent itineraries, I am also sorry that you did not take your cruise schedule into account before acquiring the tour or at least befor of the date of the service. We could avoid the situation . And just to be clear the schedule in the service description is and was written correctly. Hopefully next time you can receive the notifications sent by the agency where you acquire the services and thus avoid these situations. Have a nice day and thank you for your comment since thanks to these situations other users will take into account that the notifications must be read, and that we are available 24/7 to answer any questions before and after purchasing a tour with us
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- 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
- 7
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Azul Latina Travel, who run 59 experiences we rank across 7 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 44.5.
See everything Azul Latina Travel runsWhy this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ushuaia.
How much does Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony cost?
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Prices start at $240 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 Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 20 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Ushuaia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony?
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Around 7 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the 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 Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony?
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Included: sail to Pájaros sland; Heading north to south, we will spot Gable Island and the Puerto Williams Naval Base; Beagle Channel Navigation; At Martillo Island, we approach the beach and stay there to observe the penguins in their; and We sail to Los Lobos Island, where, from the boat, we can see the sea lions. Not included: Pick up and drop off hotels: Meeting point at tourist Pier. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony?
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Departing from the Ushuaia Tourist Pier: Av. Int. Jorge Garramuño, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, V9410 Ushuaia, half an hour before the boat’s departure — we will send the schedule with each itinerary. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony offered in?
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It is offered in 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 Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the 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.
What happens to Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the 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 Ushuaia: Beagle Channel Navigation to the Penguin Colony?
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Across 20 reviews averaging 4.0 out of 5, recurring themes include photo opportunities, organization. The views and photo stops come up again and again. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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