Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

The penguins at Isla Martillo are the main event, and you can see Magellanic and Gentoo penguins only a few meters away as the catamaran turns slowly along the shore. The route also brings you close to sea lions, nesting birds, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and the stark shores of the Beagle Channel.

I like the bilingual commentary, which covers both wildlife and the channel’s history, and I like the captain’s careful positioning of the boat so different sides get a view. The main drawback is important: you stay aboard the catamaran at Isla Martillo. You do not walk onto the beach or among the penguins.

Key points to know

• Penguins from the boat: See Magellanic and Gentoo penguins from close range, with occasional King penguin sightings.
• A five to six-hour outing: The cruise leaves from Ushuaia’s tourist port and returns there.
• More than penguins: Expect seabirds, one and two-haired sea lions, cormorants, the lighthouse, and views toward Chile.
• No island landings: The islands are viewing stops from the vessel, not places where you disembark.
• Dress for wind: The outdoor decks can be very cold, even when Ushuaia feels pleasant on land.
• Allow extra time at the port: Ticket collection and boarding instructions can be confusing in a crowded harbor.

What the Ushuaia catamaran tour really offers

This is a classic Ushuaia water excursion, but it is more than a quick lighthouse cruise. You spend roughly five to six hours on the Beagle Channel, moving among small islands and coastal points before reaching the penguin colony at Isla Martillo.

The boat is large, with indoor seating, outdoor viewing areas, restrooms, and a café. The maximum group size is listed as 160 people, so this is not a small private wildlife trip. It is a shared catamaran experience, and the best viewing places can become busy.

I would set your expectations carefully. The wording about free admission to several islands can sound as though you will get off the boat. You will not. The catamaran pauses near the islands, turns to give passengers different angles, and remains on the water throughout.

That arrangement has a conservation benefit. You see the penguins in their own setting without walking through the colony. It also means the experience depends on your position aboard the vessel, the weather, and how well you manage the crowd around the viewing areas.

Leaving Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel

The tour starts at the tourist port on Avenida Prefectura Naval Argentina 470. The port can be hectic, particularly when cruise ships are in, and collecting your boarding ticket may require more effort than expected.

Take your booking confirmation and allow extra time. You may need to find the operator’s kiosk, show the booking details, receive a printed boarding ticket, and then continue to the passenger control area or the correct pier. The digital voucher alone may not be enough at the port desk.

Once aboard, try to settle in early if you want an indoor window seat. Seating can be tight, and moving in and out from a window place may disturb the people beside you. If you want clear photographs through the glass, take them early. Spray and water spots can build up during the cruise.

The Beagle Channel is the setting for the entire outing. You will see the Ushuaia shoreline recede, with mountains and open water forming a broad southern horizon. The guide provides commentary in Spanish and English, covering the animals, geography, and the history tied to this important water route.

The water can be calm, but it can also become rough. One boat trip was postponed because of strong wind, then operated later when conditions improved. That is a good reminder to keep your schedule flexible if the channel is a major part of your plans.

Isla de los Pájaros and its busy bird colonies

The first wildlife stop is Isla de los Pájaros, part of the Bridges archipelago. The catamaran approaches the island so you can look across the rocks and vegetation at the birdlife.

You may see skuas, Black-browed Albatross, Steam Ducks, Cauquenes, Cook Gulls, and Gray Gulls. The exact mix and activity level will vary, but this stop gives you a useful introduction to the Beagle Channel’s bird colonies before the larger animals appear.

The name can create the impression of a landing site or visitor facility. It is not. You view the island from the boat, often while the captain adjusts the vessel to give different sections of the group a clear look.

For bird photographers, the outdoor deck is the better choice, though it is also the coldest. Bring gloves and a warm hat, not just a jacket. Wind on the water can make a mild day feel much colder than it did at the port.

Sea lions at Isla de los Lobos

Next comes Isla de los Lobos, another part of the Bridges archipelago. The main attraction here is the colony of one-haired and two-haired sea lions.

The boat’s approach lets you watch the animals resting on the rocks, slipping into the water, or gathering close together. Sea lions are often easier to appreciate from a stable viewing point than from a fast-moving vessel, and the captain generally pauses and turns the catamaran to improve the view.

Again, this is a boat-based stop. You do not walk ashore. That is useful to know if you are comparing this cruise with a smaller excursion that includes a landing elsewhere in the region.

The route is especially good for people who want several kinds of wildlife in one half-day outing. You are not simply sailing straight to the penguins. Birds, sea lions, islands, and changing views keep the journey active before the main stop.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the Monte Cervantes story

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse is the photograph most people associate with this cruise. It is often called the Lighthouse at the End of the World, although that name properly belongs to a different lighthouse. The distinction may sound fussy, but the guide explains it as part of the local story.

The catamaran spends about 20 minutes near the lighthouse. You can photograph the tower with the channel and mountains behind it, while Imperial and Rocky Cormorants gather nearby.

The commentary also covers the SS Monte Cervantes, a ship connected with a 1930s shipwreck in the area. This is one of the better moments for listening rather than simply taking pictures. The route is tied to real maritime history, and the guide’s explanation gives the scenery more meaning.

The boat may rotate or reposition several times. That helps spread the views around the vessel, though the outdoor areas are limited compared with the number of people aboard. If the weather is clear, the lighthouse stop can produce some of the best photographs of the day.

Views toward Puerto Almanza, Chile, and Gable Island

The cruise continues through the Bridges Islands archipelago, with views toward the fishing village of Puerto Almanza. You also look across the channel toward Chile.

These sections are less about a single close-up sight and more about understanding the shape of the region. The Beagle Channel is a natural border, and the trip gives you a water-level view of both sides. The scenery changes slowly, which makes this part feel calm after the activity around the wildlife islands.

The route also includes Gable Island, associated with the region’s ancient Yámana people. The guide provides context about the island and the Indigenous history of the channel.

Do not expect a shore visit at Gable Island. Like the other named points, it is part of the cruise route and viewed from the catamaran. If you prefer a day built around walking and archaeology, this will feel more like a scenic introduction than a detailed cultural visit.

Isla Martillo and the penguin colony

Isla Martillo is the reason most people choose this excursion. The catamaran spends about 40 minutes near the island’s beach, where a colony of more than 6,000 Magellanic and Gentoo penguins gathers during the season.

You can watch penguins walk along the shore, swim in the shallows, and move between the water and their nesting area. With luck, you may also see King penguins. October can be early in the season, so sightings and colony activity may vary at that time.

The boat approaches close to shore, sometimes only a few meters away, while remaining on the water. You do not step onto Isla Martillo. This is the point I would repeat most strongly before you book, because the phrase stop at the island can easily be misunderstood.

The crew works to rotate viewing opportunities around the boat. In practice, this can feel organized and fair, but it can also feel crowded. Some parts of the vessel offer better angles, especially near the front and lower viewing areas, and the optional onboard photography service may occupy prime positions at times.

If you want photographs, get outside early when possible and move according to the crew’s instructions. The boat’s constant repositioning means you may get a good view from more than one side, but you should not expect to hold one ideal spot for the entire stop.

There is also a natural smell around a large penguin colony. It can be strong on the outdoor deck. That is not a fault with the excursion, but you should know it before committing to 40 minutes close to the shore.

Comfort, food, and the cold outdoor deck

The catamaran is generally comfortable and clean, with an indoor area that offers shelter from the wind. The onboard café sells food and drinks, and a hot coffee can be welcome after time outside.

The outdoor deck is where the cruise feels most immediate. You hear the wind, see spray, and get an unobstructed view of the islands. It is also where the cold hits hardest. Wear several warm layers, waterproof outer clothing, gloves, and a hat.

Motion sickness is possible. Some outings have been rough enough to make people ill, while other days have felt quite steady. Large boats can reduce rocking, but they cannot remove the effects of wind and waves. If you are sensitive to motion, plan accordingly and spend part of the cruise inside if needed.

Families can enjoy the animals and the short viewing sections, but hold onto young children outdoors. The wind can be strong, and the deck may become crowded when wildlife appears.

Price, group size, and what value means here

At $240 per person, this is an expensive half-day activity. The price includes navigation, guidance, onboard facilities, fees, and the port fee. It does not include private transportation to the port, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

The value depends on what you want. If seeing penguins, sea lions, and the Beagle Channel in one organized outing is high on your list, the price may feel fair. You also get a bilingual guide, a large vessel, a café, a restroom, and a route that covers several wildlife sites.

If you expect a small group, long periods of silence, or a landing among the penguins, the price will feel harder to justify. This is a busy shared cruise with up to 160 people. You pay for access to the route and wildlife, not for a private encounter.

The optional photography service is another point to consider. You do not need to buy it, and the crew continues moving the boat so passengers can view the penguins. Still, some people have felt that photographers took the best positions or were too forceful when selling pictures. I would treat the service as optional and rely on your own camera unless a professional souvenir matters to you.

Who should book this Beagle Channel cruise

I would choose this excursion if you want a straightforward way to see the area’s main marine wildlife without arranging several separate outings. It suits first-time visitors to Ushuaia, families who prefer a stable large vessel, and anyone who wants a mix of scenery, wildlife, and local history.

It is also a good fit if your time in Ushuaia is limited. In one outing, you can see seabirds, sea lions, cormorants, penguins, the lighthouse, Puerto Almanza, Gable Island, and the Chilean side of the channel.

I would hesitate if you are mainly interested in walking with penguins. This cruise does not offer that. You should also think twice if you dislike crowded boats, strong wind, cold outdoor conditions, or rough water.

The trip requires good weather. If conditions are unsafe, it may be postponed or canceled, with the choice of another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran tour if your priority is seeing Isla Martillo’s penguins from close range while also covering the Beagle Channel’s main wildlife and landmarks. The route is varied, the bilingual guidance adds useful context, and the captain’s positioning gives you repeated chances to see the animals.

Skip it if you want a small boat, a quiet outing, or a shore landing. At $240, the cruise needs to match your expectations. Know that you will remain aboard, arrive early for the port paperwork, dress for serious wind, and accept that the best views may require patience and movement around a busy vessel.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

It begins at the Tourist Port on Avenida Prefectura Naval Argentina 470 in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego.

How long does the excursion last?

The listed duration is approximately five to six hours. Some departures may run closer to four and a half to five hours depending on the schedule and conditions.

Do I get off the catamaran at Isla Martillo?

No. You remain aboard the catamaran and view the penguins from the vessel as it approaches and moves along the shoreline.

How long does the boat spend near the penguins?

The catamaran spends about 40 minutes near Isla Martillo.

Which penguins can I see?

The colony includes Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. King penguins may also appear, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I see sea lions on the tour?

Yes. The route includes Isla de los Lobos, where you can see one-haired and two-haired sea lions.

Is food available on board?

Yes. The catamaran has a café with food and drinks available for purchase.

Is the tour offered in English?

The commentary is provided in Spanish and English. The amount of information in each language may vary during the outing.

What happens if the weather is too poor for the cruise?

If unsafe weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You may also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.