Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

Penguins are only part of the show. This 330-minute catamaran trip from Ushuaia combines Beagle Channel scenery, sea lions, cormorants, historic shipwreck sites, and the summer penguin colony on Martillo Island. I like the comfortable boat and clear variety of wildlife, and the captain often gives everyone time to photograph animals rather than rushing past them. The main drawback is simple: you spend almost six hours on the water, and food and drinks are not included.

The trip costs about $92 per person, though the final price can vary by booking date and currency. That is a fair price for a full day on the Beagle Channel if penguins are high on your list, but less attractive if you want to walk on Martillo Island or spend more time ashore. This is a viewing cruise, not a landing excursion.

Key points before you book

• Martillo Island brings two penguin species: You can see Magellanic penguins and Gentoo penguins nesting along the shore during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
• Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is a photo stop: The red-and-white lighthouse sits in a small archipelago and is often called the Lighthouse at the End of the World.
• The boat gets close to wildlife: Sea lions, cormorants, and penguins can be viewed from the catamaran, with outdoor decks available for photographs.
• Expect a long day on the water: The full outing lasts about five and a half hours, with a lengthy return journey.
• Bring serious cold-weather gear: Even on a sunny day, wind on the Beagle Channel can make the open decks very cold.
• The best seats matter: The upper deck offers better views and less of the cold that can collect on the lower level, but the bow may become crowded during the penguin stop.

Leaving Ushuaia from the tourist pier

The boat leaves at 3 p.m., and you need to report to the Tolkeyen Patagonia office at the tourist pier by 2:30 p.m. Look for the blue house. Transfers to the port are not included, so arrange your own way there.

The first part of the cruise gives you a useful introduction to Ushuaia from the water. As the catamaran moves away from shore, you can look back toward the city, the Maritime Museum, the End of the World Museum, the industrial area, Mount Olivia, and Mount Cinco Hermanos.

This opening section is more than filler. Ushuaia is squeezed between steep mountains and the Beagle Channel, so the view from the water explains the city’s unusual setting better than a street walk can. Keep your camera ready, but also keep a warm layer close. The decks are the best places for photographs, yet the wind can bite quickly.

The boat itself is clean, spacious, and fitted with bathrooms. A café operates onboard, which is useful for a hot drink or snack, but you pay separately. Since no meal is included, bring something small to eat if you do not want to rely on the café.

Sea Lion Island and Bird Island

The catamaran heads southwest toward Sea Lion Island. The stop is designed for observation from the boat, not for going ashore. You can watch sea lions resting, moving through the water, and interacting around the island.

This is one of the strongest parts of the outing because the animals provide movement and sound, not just a distant shape on a rock. The captain may adjust the boat so people on different sides can get a view. Bring binoculars if you have them, though the vessel gets close enough for photographs in favorable conditions.

Next comes Bird Island, where Magellanic cormorants and Imperial cormorants gather. Cormorants can look rather like penguins at a quick glance, especially when standing upright on shore, but they are flying seabirds. This distinction is useful because the trip gives you a chance to see several kinds of marine life rather than treating every black-and-white bird as a penguin.

The guides provide information in English and Spanish. The quality of the onboard sound system may affect how much you hear. One useful improvement would be stronger speakers or captions on the boat’s screens, since some passengers have found the announcements difficult to follow from the lower deck. If the explanation matters to you, sit near a working speaker or ask a crew member where the clearest audio is.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the Beagle Channel

The catamaran then reaches the Les Eclaireurs archipelago, home to the famous Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. The lighthouse is often linked with the popular name Lighthouse at the End of the World, though that nickname is not quite as simple as the marketing suggests. Its isolated position, bright structure, and surrounding water still make it one of the most recognizable sights near Ushuaia.

The lighthouse stop is a good example of how this cruise works. You do not land, enter the lighthouse, or walk around the island. Instead, the boat approaches for photographs while the guide explains the surrounding waters and their maritime past.

Nearby waters also recall the wreck of the Mount Cervantes, which went down in 1930. Later, along the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, you pass Estancia Remolino, associated with the vessel Mount Sarmiento, which ran aground. These details give the cruise a sense of place. This is not only a wildlife trip. It is also a route through a difficult stretch of water used by ships for generations.

Gable Island, Chile, and the long route south

As the vessel crosses the Beagle Channel from north to south, you can see Gable Island and the Port Williams Navy Base on Navarino Island in Chile. The international border here is easy to forget because the water and mountains form one continuous view, but the route takes you through Argentina and across toward Chilean territory.

This section may be your favorite part if you enjoy wide views and maritime geography. It may feel slow if you are focused only on penguins. The trip takes time because Martillo Island is well beyond the first wildlife stops, and the return journey is also long.

The route does not include a village visit or shore excursion. A few hours of open water can feel peaceful, but the cruise is not designed around constant activity. You will want a good seat, warm clothes, and realistic expectations about the pace.

Martillo Island and its summer penguin colony

Martillo Island is the main reason most people book this cruise. During the Southern Hemisphere summer, Magellanic and Gentoo penguins nest along the coastline. The catamaran follows the island’s shore, allowing you to see the birds from the water.

The boat can approach close enough for good photographs, but you remain onboard. That point matters. Some excursions in the Ushuaia area include a shore walk with penguins, while this one offers a less expensive boat-based alternative. You get the island, the colony, and the scenery without the landing experience.

Magellanic penguins are the more familiar species in this setting. Gentoo penguins add a special touch because two species share the island. Seeing both in one stop makes the visit more interesting than a simple pass by a single colony.

The penguin stop can become crowded at the front of the boat. The crew may ask people to keep moving so everyone gets a chance, but in practice, some passengers may hold the best positions for too long. If photography matters, arrive at the viewing area early, then be willing to change sides as the boat moves along the shore.

You should also respect the wildlife by keeping voices low and avoiding sudden movements. Drones are not allowed, and pets are not allowed either. The most useful equipment is less glamorous: a warm hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a phone or camera with a charged battery.

The return past Estancia Tunnel and Fique

After Martillo Island, the catamaran turns back toward Ushuaia. The return route passes Estancia Tunnel and Fique, adding more views of the southern coast and the surrounding mountains.

This is where the five-and-a-half-hour schedule becomes important. The return leg can feel long, especially after the excitement of the penguins. On clear days, the changing light across the water helps keep the trip interesting. On rough or gray days, you may spend more time indoors or in the café.

Wildlife can appear unexpectedly. The captain may slow down for whales or dolphins if conditions allow. One outing included a humpback whale sighting on the way out and dolphins on the return, with the captain maneuvering so people could watch. Such sightings are not guaranteed, but they show why it is worth keeping your camera ready even after Martillo Island.

The water can also become bumpy, especially on the return. If you are prone to seasickness, sit near the center of the vessel, look toward the horizon, and avoid spending the whole trip at the bow. The information provided does not specify whether seasickness medication is available onboard, so bring anything you normally use.

Comfort, seating, and photography

The catamaran has indoor seating on more than one level, outdoor viewing areas, bathrooms, and a café. That is a solid setup for a long cruise. You are not stuck outside for five hours, and you can move indoors when the cold or wind becomes too much.

The upper deck is usually the better choice for views. One useful tip is to claim an upper-level seat early, especially if the boat fills quickly. The lower deck is comfortable, but it may be colder and the view can be less open. Outdoor space is essential for wildlife photographs, so plan to move between warmth and visibility.

Some departures include photographers working as part of the crew. They may offer paid photographs, with one quoted price of about $50. This can be convenient if you want a posed souvenir, but it can also create congestion near the best viewing areas. If you prefer your own photographs, move to another outdoor section rather than waiting behind the photographer and clients.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, according to the activity information. Because the exact vessel can vary according to the company’s operations, you should confirm any specific mobility needs before departure.

Guide service and the value of the trip

The guide service is offered in English and Spanish. The best parts of the commentary cover the islands, wildlife, lighthouse, shipwrecks, and the geography of the channel. That context helps turn a long boat ride into a proper introduction to Tierra del Fuego.

The sound system is the weak point. Some passengers have struggled to hear announcements, particularly downstairs. I would treat the cruise as a wildlife and scenery outing first, with the commentary as an added benefit rather than the sole reason to go.

At $92 per person, the price is reasonable for a 330-minute catamaran trip with several wildlife stops and bilingual guiding. You are paying for the vessel, crew, fuel, and a long route through a remote maritime setting. The value improves if you see extra wildlife such as whales or dolphins, though those sightings are luck rather than a promise.

The price feels less attractive if you expect a meal, a landing on Martillo Island, or a full day of guided shore activity. Food and drinks are extra, and the boat ride is the entire experience. Compared with a shorter harbor cruise, this trip gives you far more wildlife and scenery. Compared with an excursion that lands among penguins, it gives you less personal contact.

Weather, cancellations, and what to pack

Tierra del Fuego weather can change quickly. The captain may alter the route, timing, or order of stops because of wind, sea conditions, animal movement, or safety. The port can close in bad weather, and the sailing may be canceled or rescheduled.

Wear outdoor clothing in layers. Comfortable shoes, warm clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen all belong in your day bag. The sun can be strong even when the air feels cold, and wind can make the lower temperature feel sharper on deck.

Pack snacks if you want more than café food. Keep your phone and camera protected from spray, and use a strap if you plan to photograph from the outdoor rail. The trip is wheelchair accessible, but the exact vessel may vary, so check ahead if you need particular facilities.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your Ushuaia schedule depends on weather, port conditions, or a tight connection.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you have one day in Ushuaia and want to combine several sights without arranging separate excursions. It suits wildlife fans, photographers, families who prefer viewing animals from a boat, and anyone who wants the classic Beagle Channel experience with penguins added.

It is also a good option if you want to see Martillo Island but do not need to walk among the penguins. The catamaran offers more indoor comfort than a small boat and includes bathrooms, a café, and several viewing areas.

I would hesitate if you dislike long periods at sea, suffer badly from motion sickness, or want a shore-based encounter with penguins. I would also think twice if your schedule is tight after the cruise. Weather, wildlife sightings, and captain decisions can affect the timing, and the return route may feel longer than expected.

Should you book the Ushuaia Penguin Island cruise?

Book it if your priority is a full Beagle Channel wildlife circuit with sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and two penguin species in one outing. The boat is comfortable, the route is scenic, and the captain may give you unplanned bonuses such as whales or dolphins.

Skip it if you need a landing on Martillo Island or want a shorter trip. For the best experience, arrive early, sit upstairs, bring warm layers and snacks, and move around so you are not dependent on one crowded viewing spot. At the listed price, it is a solid choice for a long day on the water, provided you understand that the penguin encounter happens from the catamaran.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The activity lasts about 330 minutes, or five and a half hours. The route includes the outward trip, wildlife stops, Martillo Island, and the return to Ushuaia.

What time does the boat depart?

Departure is at 3 p.m. You should arrive at the Tolkeyen Patagonia office in the tourist pier by 2:30 p.m. The office is in the blue house.

Where does the tour leave from?

The catamaran leaves from the tourist pier in Ushuaia. Transport to the port is not included.

Can I walk on Martillo Island?

No. This experience follows the coastline of Martillo Island by boat, so you view the penguins from the catamaran.

Which penguin species can I see?

During the summer nesting season, you can see Magellanic penguins and Gentoo penguins on Martillo Island.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although there is a café onboard where you can buy refreshments.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English and Spanish.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Navigation may be canceled because of bad weather or a port closure. The operator will try to reschedule the activity, and if that is not possible, the amount paid is refunded.