The 6 Most Booked Boat Tours in Ushuaia

1.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 5 hours · from $180Our pick

Spend five hours aboard a comfortable catamaran from Ushuaia, visiting Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island. An English and Spanish guide explains the wildlife and the SS Monte Cervantes story. You watch Magellanic and Papua penguins from the boat, not on foot.

“Fantastic all around. Lots of opportunity to see the penguins and sea lions. The boats stayed longer than other boats that came and went. Would highly recommend!”

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2.Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 5h 30m · from $92Best value

From Ushuaia’s tourist pier, you’ll spend about five and a half hours on a catamaran through the Beagle Channel. Expect sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Chilean and Argentine scenery, and close views of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins at Martillo Island. The guide speaks English and Spanish, and a café is available onboard.

“Great trip to see the penguins and sea lions. Comfortable boat, cafe on board. Enough time at each stop to take pictures. Lots of explanations and history. Overall a great day. Recommend”

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3.Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 433 reviews · 2h 30m · from $115

Board a heated, wheelchair-accessible catamaran at Avenida Prefectura Naval Argentina 470 for a 150-minute cruise from Ushuaia. You’ll see seabirds, two sea lion species, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Yamana shell deposits, with Spanish and English commentary, audio guides, and a short island walk.

“It was a lovely way to visit small islands in the Beagle Channel. The views were amazing and, as birders, we appreciated being able to see Geese, Skuas, Terns, and Cormorants on the islands and in flight in the channel. The highlight for us were the two Andean Condors on the island near the lighthouse.”

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4.Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $240

From Ushuaia’s tourist port, you cruise the Beagle Channel for about five to six hours with bilingual guidance, onboard restrooms, a café, and indoor seating. See seabirds, sea lions, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Puerto Almanza, Gable Island, and penguins at Isla Martillo. The catamaran does not land on the islands.

“Overall is good. Just the initial part of trying to figure out what to do to get on board is frustrating. Need to provide more explicit instructions such as: 1. Go to this Kiosk at this location on the google map. 2. Report your name and retrieve an actual boarding ticket. 3. Head to this location on the google map to board. Instead of just indicating a meeting point without explanation. Who are we meeting? What do we show when we meet? etc.”

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5.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 55 reviews · 5 hours · from $177

Spend five hours on a catamaran from Ushuaia, sailing past Patagonian mountains, sea lion and cormorant colonies, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and the SS Monte Cervantes wreck site before reaching Martillo Island. Your English or Spanish guide explains local wildlife, history, and culture. Hotel pickup may be available from central hotels.

“Catamarano stra colmo di gente . As ogni attrattiva da vedere ci si ammassava fuori e se eri dietro non vedevi assolutamente nulla e la gente non si spostava. Siamo arrivati dai pinguini prima di tutte le altre barche e nonostante questo la nostra si é fermata dove c’erano solo una decina di pinguini mentre il “gruppo super grande “ non siamo riusciti a vederlo nemmeno ha fatto un giro per poter mostrare anche a chi non ha visto nulla. In prezzo assurdo si quasi 169€ a persona ! I peggio spesi. Sxonsiglko !!!meglio barca piccola”

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6.Beagle Channel Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 51 reviews · 3 hours · from $107

Board a comfortable catamaran at Ushuaia’s Tourist Port for a three-hour Beagle Channel cruise. Look for sea lions, albatross, cormorants, gulls, and other birds before reaching Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. The bilingual host covers the SS Monte Cervantes sinking, while the boat provides wide views of Ushuaia and the Andes.

“Hermosa experiencia, la guía exelente, el catamarán muy cómodo y muy buen trato por parte de todo el personal.”

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